|
 "As we continue to work closely with local emergency management
officials to assess and meet their communities' needs, today I
directed the Department of Natural Resources to make campsites and
cabins available free of charge to those who need them. While these
sites may not offer all the comforts of home, they may provide
temporary relief for those who are flooded out of their homes," said
Blagojevich.
While some campsites may not be accessible due to weather, access
to all available camping facilities and camping cabins in regions 4
and 5, including the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, will
be open free of charge to flood victims on a first-come,
first-served basis. It is recommended that people call ahead to the
appropriate park office to check current availability before
traveling. The Department of Natural Resources requests that, if
possible, people bring a photo ID with a home address.
Those who have Internet access can use
www.dnr.state.il.us for a
list of all facility phone numbers. The sites listed
below in regions 4
and 5 have accessible camping facilities.
As waters begin to recede, safety should be a priority for
everyone in the affected area. The Illinois Department of Public
Health encouraged municipalities that have communities of
manufactured homes or manufactured homes installed on private
property within their jurisdiction to notify the residents and park
managers of possible hazards caused by flooding. Recommendations
include:
-
Retest gas line systems if leakage is suspected.
-
A licensed installer should check soils around footings if
washout has occurred. Check shims and piers for stability and check
anchors for stability from withdrawal.
-
Electrical equipment that has been submerged should be checked by
the local electric utility or an electrician.
-
Water and sewer line hookups should be checked for proper
connection, slope and leaks. A licensed plumber should make any
re-connections of the plumbing if disconnected.
-
Remove adequate skirting around home to allow drying.
-
Check for water in ductwork and remove.
-
Check and clean waterlines.
-
Homes with water damage to the floors and walls should be treated
to remove moisture from the building components.
The above are recommendations and are not required. They are
meant as examples of items that should be checked for the protection
of the homeowners and the value of their manufactured homes. In some
cases, if water did not touch the bottom of the manufactured home,
only footings, piers and anchors may need to be inspected for
damage. Any corrections to the support and anchoring of the home
should be performed by an Illinois-licensed manufactured home
installer or the homeowner in accordance with the home's
installation instructions.
For more information, call the Illinois Department of Public
Health Division of Environmental Health at 217-782-5830.
People near flooded areas also need to take extra precautions to
protect themselves from disease often carried by floodwaters by
staying out of the water as much as possible. Floodwaters and sewer
overflows can contain bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other
organisms that may cause disease. The following information can help
protect communities from illness and injury.
These basic precautions can help to prevent disease:
-
Avoid skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores.
Keep them clean and covered.
-
Do not allow children to play in areas contaminated by sewage
backup.
-
Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water.
-
Keep contaminated things, such as water and hands, away from
mucous membranes (mouth, eyes and nose).
-
Wash hands frequently, especially after bathroom use, before
eating and immediately following contact with sewer water or
contaminated objects or surfaces.
[to top of second column] |
 Food and water safety:
-
Use only bottled or disinfected water for drinking, cooking,
tooth brushing and bathing until you are sure the water supply is
safe.
-
Discard food exposed to contaminated waters.
-
If refrigerators
or freezers have taken in water, discard food stored there. If no
water entered these appliances but power was lost long enough for
foods to thaw, discard all partially thawed foods unless prepared
immediately.
-
Discard milk, cheeses and other foods prone to spoilage.
-
Completely thawed meats and vegetables should be discarded
without question.
-
Discard all bulging or leaking canned food and any
food stored in jars.
-
Undented, intact cans can be cleaned with a
bleach solution before use.
After the flood, removal and cleanup of sewer or floodwater is
essential. It is important to take the following precautions to
prevent injury:
-
Turn off main power switches if necessary. Before use, air out
and wipe dry all appliances and electrical outlets exposed to water.
-
If you have fuel oil or gas systems, be sure tanks are secure and
all lines are free from breaks.
-
Wear rubber boots, gloves and a dust mask during removal and
cleanup.
-
Open windows if possible to ventilate and dry the area. Fans can
be used to help with drying.
-
Keep children from playing in water.
The following cleaning guidelines may help prevent the
transmission of disease and reduce property loss:
-
Discard any contaminated objects that cannot be thoroughly washed
or laundered.
-
Wash contaminated surfaces and objects with warm, soapy water and
then disinfect them with a bleach and water solution made of no more
than 1 cup of 5.25 percent chlorine bleach per 1 gallon of water.
For objects that would be damaged by bleach, use a home or laundry
disinfectant.
-
Make sure to read and follow label instructions. Do not use
ammonia. Ammonia vapors mixed with bleach vapors create a toxic gas
that could be deadly.
-
For more information, call your local health department.
On Thursday, Blagojevich declared 19 southern Illinois counties
state disaster areas: Alexander, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin,
Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac,
Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White and Williamson.
The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of
state resources that can help affected communities recover from
flooding, including equipment and personnel to assist with
flood-fighting efforts as well as post-flood cleanup.
According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources,
Harrisburg in Saline County is experiencing a 500-year flood event
as are areas along the Cache River, while Crab Orchard in Williamson
County is experiencing a 300-year flood event. This means these
areas could be expected to experience such flooding once every 300
or 500 years.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield continues to
coordinate assistance to flooded communities throughout southern
Illinois, including such help as providing sandbags and manpower to
fill sandbags, security patrols, emergency management personnel to
support local officials, water and portable toilets, and
coordinating shelters for people displaced by floodwaters.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
