News

NCDHHS helps Helene-impacted restaurants reopen

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 11, 2024

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and local health departments are working with restaurants and food establishments impacted by Hurricane Helene to help them reopen and feed their communities. Local and state public health staff are working to help them reopen safely while infrastructure continues to be repaired or rebuilt in western North Carolina counties.

“Restaurants are deeply rooted in the communities they serve, and we are working closely with businesses and local health departments to get them back open safely as soon as possible,” NCDHHS State Environmental Health Director Larry Michael said in a news release.

Restaurants that lack their usual sources of power, drinking water and wastewater treatment can reopen through an Emergency Operations Plan developed with their local health department. More than 70 restaurants’ Emergency Operations Plans have been approved as of October 9 in addition to those approved at the local level.

Restaurants may need to limit or simplify their menu based on the amount of water available; they may need to switch to take-out service only; or they may need to obtain a porta-potty. Other important elements include:

• Water is coming from an approved source, such as the municipal water system, an approved and tested community well or water supply company or bottled water. If a water storage truck, tank or other container is used, it should be designed for potable water.
  Water for employee handwashing is provided.
• A toilet or porta-potty for employees and customers is available if the restaurant is open for seated customers. If using flushing toilets, either gray water or other non-potable water must be available to flush them.

A flier with elements of an approved Emergency Operations Plan for Restaurants is available online. Many counties in the impacted area are reporting that a majority of food establishments are open, including Ashe, Catawba, Jackson, Lincoln, Watauga and Wilkes counties. For more information about Hurricane Helene and resources available for people who are impacted, please go to ncdhhs.gov/helene and ncdps.gov/helene.