Hurricane Helene affected restaurants and food establishments in western North Carolina. Local and state public health staff are helping these locations safely reopen and feed their communities.
“Restaurants are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. 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
Applying for an Emergency Operations Plan
Is your restaurant lacking its usual sources of power, drinking water and wastewater treatment? You can work with your local health department to reopen through an Emergency Operations Plan.
The state has approved 70 plans as of Oct. 9, 2024, and more have been approved at the local level.
Restaurants may need to:
- Limit or simplify menu based on the amount of water available
- Switch to take-out service only
- Get a porta-potty
Other important elements include:
- Having water from an approved source, such as:
- Municipal water system
- Approved and tested community well or water supply company
- Bottled water
- If using a water storage truck, tank or other container, be sure it's designed for potable water.
- Providing water for employee handwashing
- If open for seated customers, having a toilet or porta-potty for employees and customers. If using flushing toilets, either gray water or other non-potable water must be available to flush them.
Many counties in the affected area are reporting that many food establishments are open, including:
- Ashe
- Catawba
- Jackson
- Lincoln
- Watauga
- Wilkes
More information and resources:
- NCDHHS Hurricane Helene Resources
- N.C. Department of Public Safety Hurricane Helene Response
- N.C. Division of Public Health - Environmental Health
Related Press Release: Restaurants Impacted by Hurricane Helene Can Apply to Operate Under Emergency Operations Plans