Director of LBI Health Department discusses concerns

Only a few weeks after Superstorm Sandy ripped across the Jersey coast, many of Long Beach Island’s residents have been granted access to their generally devastated homes and businesses. Though it’s clear to see emergency personnel have been working tirelessly to rid the area’s grounds from piles of tainted sand and debris, many people can’t help but wonder just how safe the region really is. Tim Hilferty, director of the Long Beach Island Health Department, said that at this point, folks should continue to err on the side of caution.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Anything tainted with contaminated floodwater
is thrown out and picked up by emergency personnel.

“Floodwater is considered unsafe no matter what because it could have come in contact with a whole host of unknowns as it was permeating throughout the Island,” Hilferty stated.

He said the floodwaters could have been affected by physical hazards such as glass, sharps, wood and nails, as well as bacterial hazards and chemical hazards, including cleaning supplies, pesticides and fertilizers, but claimed there was no indication that the public sewer system had been compromised.

The Island’s public water supply was under a boil advisory until Saturday, Nov. 17. The Long Beach Island Joint Emergency Management Center lifted the advisory for all towns north of North Beach Haven, which excluded Beach Haven and Holgate. Officials suggest running water faucets for three to five minutes to flush interior plumbing, as well as emptying and cleaning automatic ice makers and water chillers. Draining and refilling hot water heaters if the temperature is set below 113 degrees Fahrenheit is also recommended, as well as running water softeners and cartridge filters through a regeneration cycle or other procedures recommended by the manufacturer.

Many volunteer organizations such as the American Red Cross have been handing out cleaning supplies, work gloves and protective masks to those who are in the process of fixing up their ravaged homes. Hilferty is urging people to follow the labeling instructions for all supplies, especially regarding N95 face masks, which often require a medical evaluation and fit test before use. Making sure people are up to date with immunizations is also important, he noted.

Donations are being distributed through the Long Beach Island Grade School, located on the corner of 20th Street and Central Avenue in Ship Bottom. Nonperishable food, water, clothing, toiletries, bedding, kids’ supplies, cleaning materials and heaters are available daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hilferty said many people have also been offering to donate their services for free. The health department is currently working on categorizing those services to create a roster people could access via the Long Beach Island Joint Emergency Operations Center's website, lbieoc.org, to request specific help.

Photo by Jack Reynolds
Tangled debris and gas lines pose a threat
to residents on LBI.

The health department is also focused on getting the area’s restaurants up and running again. Restaurant owners were permitted access to their establishments immediately following the storm to discard of perishable food. Many have already cleaned their facilities and are requesting health inspections.

There is a major concern for people who may need mental health services as well. Hilferty suggested people contact the American Red Cross for those provisions, or call the toll-free Disaster Mental Health Helpline at 877-294-HELP. A TTY line, 877-294-4356, is also available for those who are hearing impaired.

“The volunteers and the donations and the people that have been in this community have done a tremendous job,” said Hilferty. “It’s overwhelming at times. It’s actually upwelling at times,” he added, tearing up a bit.

This article was published in The SandPaper.