A flooded treatment plant in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David LaFrance has released the following statement on Hurricane Florence.
As communities cope with the flooding and tragic loss of life from Hurricane Florence, AWWA stands in solidarity with the committed water professionals who work to restore and maintain critical water and wastewater services.
The Water/Wastewater Agency Response Networks, or WARNs as they are commonly known, have been activated in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. The WARN system allows utilities within states to quickly and efficiently assist other utilities in need.
As of this writing, in North Carolina, the City of Raleigh had already deployed crews and equipment to assist the City of Fayetteville, and Greenville Utilities Commission, the City of Wilson, and the City of Raleigh had answered many requests from Onslow Water and Sewer Authority. With close to 100 systems either not functional or partly functional, additional WARN activities are likely. Utility operations in South Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania have, thankfully, escaped major impacts.
With floodwaters still a major concern, emergency responders are continuing their heroic work. AWWA strongly encourages members wishing to help to consider financial donations to reputable emergency response organizations such as the American Red Cross. Both North Carolina and South Carolina also have created web pages that allow for donations to the Florence recovery.
AWWA will continue to post updates on its Emergency Preparedness Resource Community page as floodwaters recede and we move into the recovery phase of this event.
