In the wake of Hurricane Helene's severe impact on North Carolina's lodging industry, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) along with local health departments is spearheading efforts to assist hotels and motels in the region to recommence operations safely, as stated in a recent public announcement, businesses in the hospitality sector are urged to submit their Emergency Operations Plans for swift approval, this is in light of the ongoing restorations to the water systems and infrastructure, especially in the western part of the state.
"We are working quickly to help businesses get back on their feet following catastrophic damage left behind by Hurricane Helene," NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley said in a statement obtained by the official press release on the NC Department of Health and Human Services website; highlighting the importance of hotels in not just housing visitors but also providing temporary shelters for those whose homes are damaged and volunteers aiding in the recovery process.
Key requirements for these establishments to restart include having an alternate approved power source, securing an approved water source for essential services like bathing and handwashing, and assuring the property is devoid of sewage backups, furthermore, a protocol for flushing toilets in the absence of running water, discarding any unconsumable food or ice, and shutting off water fixtures that draw from non-potable sources, as detailed on the NCDHHS's announcement.
"Hotels and motels not only serve as lodging for people who are visiting, they also help volunteers and people who need temporary housing while their homes are being repaired from storm damage. We are working with our local partners to get places back open safely and as soon as possible," observed NCDHHS State Environmental Health Director Larry Michael, as evidenced in the official release; additional support is extended to these establishments through a recently launched resource by the NCDHHS Division of Public Health that provides environmental health and safety guidance, operators are encouraged to reach out via [email protected] or call 919-707-5999 with any queries.
In the meantime, normalcy begins to settle in parts of western North Carolina as businesses resume operations and visitors return, despite some road closures still disrupting travel plans, the public is advised to confirm both accommodation status and road conditions, through direct communication with lodging establishments and by monitoring road updates before embarking on travels to the affected region, according to the NCDHHS press release.
