NORWICH – The City of Norwich Emergency Management Office disseminated the following information Monday afternoon:
• All flood damaged items, including white goods, should be placed at the curb for free pickup.
• Tipping fees at the county landfill have been waived for flood damaged debris.
• The Norwich YMCA is offering shower facilities to flood victims at no charge. Call the YMCA at 336-YMCA for more information.
• The City of Norwich is waiving the building permit fees for anyone completing flood related repairs to their home or business. A permit is still required, but there will not be a charge.
• The American Red Cross is offering free cleanup kits so residents can begin the process of safely cleaning their homes. The kits include a mop, pail, cleaner, bleach and a broom. Additional bleach and gloves will also be available. Call the Fire Department at 334-3411.
• The Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps will have teenagers available Wednesday to assist homeowners, particularly the elderly, in cleanup around their home. Contact the Headwaters Youth Conservation Corp through The Place at 336-9696.
• Contact the City Codes Office at 334-1242 to be inspected prior to reconnecting electricity and/or gas service at your home. Since the Code Officer will be out inspecting homes much of the day, please leave a message with a number where you can be reached.
• There will be a number of insurance agents, inspectors and government officials who will be in the neighborhoods during the coming weeks doing their jobs. All of these people should have some sort of identification so you can determine who they are. Unfortunately, these events also tend to attract scammers. If you have any questions about the identify of someone coming to your home asking for personal information, you can call the Norwich Police Department at 334-2424 for assistance.
• Do not go down the streets salvaging through other people’s damaged items. The items are out there for a reason; primarily they are not safe to have in the home. The Police Department will be strictly enforcing this.
Because mold, household cleanup, and standing water are major issues after a flood, all walls, hard-surfaced floors and many other household surfaces must be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to five gallons of water.
In addition, thoroughly disinfect surfaces that come in contact with food and children’s play areas, wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry-clean, air dried in the sun and disinfect mattresses and upholstered furniture, steam-clean carpeting, replace fiberboard, insulation and disposable filters in your heating/cooling system.
For additional information on mold, safety and other related health issues, you can contact the Chenango County Health Department at 337-1660 or the Emergency Management Office at 334-1299 or 334-3728.