As Western North Carolina digs out of Helene’s mud, residents worry, agencies urge caution

As historic floodwaters recede in western North Carolina, the destruction left behind from former Hurricane Helene also involves dealing with massive amounts of mud that some residents and business owners fear is toxic.

Helene leveled the Biltmore Village where Origami Ink has been “completely destroyed,” the gift shop said on its Facebook page last week. The flood waters reached the second floor, “literally smashing everything to bits and leaving everything coated in toxic mud,” Origami Ink said.

But as of Wednesday, federal and state officials would not confirm that the mud from Helene is toxic.

As part of the state and federal storm response, North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and other state agencies are working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify and address potential contamination in the affected region, the agencies said in a joint statement to The Charlotte Observer.

“Given the widespread impacts of the storm and flooding, generally speaking, the public is advised to treat areas that have flooded and any substances of unknown origin with caution,” the agencies said.

Western North Carolina residents are urged to use caution during cleanup, especially if there is a noticeable chemical odor or spilled container of a hazardous material and to ask the local health department or fire department for help.

More guidance is available online at deq.nc.gov and the NCDHHS websites.

Federal and state agencies did not make an official available for interview.

Testing for potential contamination

DEQ has received reports of concerns about potentially toxic mud downstream in Madison County near Marshall from damaged IPEX’s Silver-Line Plastics plant in Asheville. Marshall, with less than 800 residents, is on the French Broad River about 20 miles north of Asheville.

In response, inspectors have visited the site and found no injuries were confirmed related to potential exposure in this area, according to the federal and state agencies.

Silver-Line is not listed as a hazardous waste generator in DEQ permitting records.

“They have an air permit with the local air program in Buncombe County and did not have significant quantities of hazardous chemicals,” DEQ and EPA said.

How to handle cleaning up the mud?

Flood water can bring microorganisms from sewage and other sources inside buildings, according to the EPA. During flood cleanup, exposure to microorganisms can cause allergic or irritant effects, or in some cases even infectious diseases.

The EPA urged residents are urged to wear an N-95 respirator, sealed goggles, gloves, pants, long-sleeved shirt, and boots or work boots.

NC DHHS also advises residents to clean their hands with soap and water before preparing food or eating after contact with flood waters.

“Never assume that a water-damaged house is safe,” NC Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement to the Observer on Tuesday.

“Going into a building that has been flooded, even after the water is gone, can present a wide variety of hazards that can cause injury, illness or even death,” the agency said.

Origami Ink Shop owners Cathie and Jonathan Robbins have been digging through the mud daily looking for anything salvageable. “Cathie and I have been doing most of it ourselves since we could not risk the health of any of our customers who have offered to pitch in,” Origami Ink said Saturday on Facebook.

The store, which sells stationery, fountain pens and gifts, set up a Go Fund Me page Saturday to help rebuild. Origami Ink officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

This story was originally published October 9, 2024 at 5:51 AM.