As Oregon reels from recent storm havoc, state agencies are stepping up to offer advice on handling the aftermath with an eye on safety and environmental precautions. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) have laid a blueprint for residents dealing with flood debris, offering practical tips on tackling the clean-up without risking one's health or damaging the surroundings.
With devastation comes the colossal task of restoration, and it's a daunting process for those Oregonians staring at the wreckage of their homes and streets. There's the upturned earth, the splintered wood of what was once a picket fence, the sodden remnants of a family's keepsakes. However, it's not just about brute removal—the DEQ and OEM's advisories, published on their website, stress the importance of personal protection when interacting with potentially hazardous materials, reminding the community that safety always comes first.
Harney County, particularly hit with contaminated floodwaters, is under special scrutiny in light of tests revealing E. coli and Coliform saturation. In a bid to mitigate the risk of contamination and illness, the DEQ and OEM strongly advocate the use of protective gear. This gear should include waterproof gloves, eye protection, boots, and a N95 or respirator mask to fend off the invisible threats that can be just as perilous as the visible ones. A direct line to assistance is open via a staffed hotline. In their release, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Department of Emergency Management reiterated, "Please only call 911 for life-threatening emergencies."
