According to a recent survey of North Carolinians in areas hardest hit by the storm, eight out of ten people said they were personally affected. Nearly half reported health problems — both physical and mental — as a result. Still, the response from public health departments was seen as strong: 63% rated the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ work as excellent or good, and even more gave high marks to their local health departments. People remembered the timely, clear messages about where to find clean water, how to stay safe, and where to get help.
That communication was matched by hands-on action. Excessive rain and flooding can cause private wells to become contaminated, leaving water unsafe to drink or use. After a flood, wells must be disinfected and tested before they can safely provide water again. The NCDHHS Division of Public Health worked side by side with impacted local health departments to have over more than 2,700 wells tested for safe water. More than 9,500 free well water testing kits, along with disinfection supplies, were distributed so residents could clean up and drink water without fear. Public health experts provided extra staff on the ground, shared guidance on water safety, and partnered with first responders and local radio stations to ensure no one was left out.
“It was really vital to me when the public service announcements were going out that we needed to get our water tested, to not drink it. So, you could begin your cleanup or at least have some clean drinking water,” said Brenda Isaacs, an affected homeowner in Sugar Grove, NC.
For many, this work was more than a service. It was a lifeline. Kenny Jeffrey, Environmental Health Supervisor, noted, “Most of the people in our three counties are on private wells. That’s their only source of water, and so it is really critical to their health to be able to have that safe drinking water.”
Watch how the Division of Public Health supported well water recovery after Hurricane Helene: Video: Restoring Safe Drinking Water in WNC.
North Carolina public health is here for every community — everywhere, every day, everybody.
Visit our WNC Recovery Stories page to find more stories about the people and organizations making a difference in western North Carolina.