"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Residents Advised to Boil Water!

***"Members of the CNEM team unload bottled water at the South Coffeyville Fire Department."***

SOUTH COFFEYVILLE, OKLAHOMA - Due to flooding in some areas of the northern part of Cherokee Nation, the towns of South Coffeyville and Nowata are under a boil order for drinking water. The Cherokee Nation is working closely with the state and other emergency organizations to supplement their efforts to assist residents.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Cherokee Nation delivered 789 gallons of water to the Coffeyville area (shelter sites listed below) and is starting water deliveries to the town of Nowata. Cherokee Nation also delivered 150 meals to be distributed to evacuated residents in South Coffeyville. Miami area emergency teams stated that they did not need assistance at this time.

“We are of course ready to assist when these natural disasters hit,” said Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief. “We went to Coffeyville on Monday night as soon as we heard that they needed water. It looked like many people had to be evacuated and it will be a long haul before the area will be back to normal. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are dealing with the flood waters.”

Cherokee Nation Health Services Interim Medical Director Schuyler Steelberg, MD, joined other emergency agencies asking that all the people living in the area to take great care when handling flood water and water products around their homes.

Water Safety Tips:

First, boil water vigorously for three minutes prior to use. Use only boiled water for drinking, diluting fruit juices, and all other food preparation. To improve the flavor of the flat taste of boiled water, store in the refrigerator and pour back and forth from one clean and sanitized container to another. Put a cup over your faucets as a reminder to not use untreated water-even to brush your teeth.

Water also could be disinfected rather than boiled. To disinfect water intended for drinking or cooking, add one teaspoon unscented chlorine laundry bleach for every five gallons of water. Let stand for 30 minutes before using. Be sure to use sanitized food-grade containers for storing water.

To disinfect water storage containers, pour a solution of one tablespoon of unscented chlorine bleach to a gallon of water into a container. Let the solution remain in the container for 10 minutes, then pour out the solution. Rinse with purified water. Add boiled or disinfected water.

Next, dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker. Then, you will need to disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersing them for at least one minute in water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Allow surfaces to air dry. Using a household dishwasher is not recommended. Disposable tableware is an option and much simpler.

The health department also recommends having a “sanitizing rinse” to wash hands. Again use the one teaspoon of unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of water and rinse hands frequently by pouring the rinse over the hands. Air dry or use a paper towel.

Finally, water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing or using backyard pools so water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes that have made contact with the flood water may wish to consult their physicians.

Several area shelters have been established in the towns of Nowata, Coffeyville, Miami and Commerce. South Coffeyville: First Baptist Church, corner of 5th and Shawnee in Coffeyville, Kansas, phone number: 620- 515-0408. Nowata: Boys and Girls Club at 300 South Pine in Nowata, Okla., phone number: 918-273-2287. Commerce: Southeast Baptist Church and Commerce Middle School, contact phone number for both is 918-675-4373. Miami: First Assembly of God, 1815 East Steve Owen Blvd, phone 918-540-1585; First Baptist Church, phone 918-542-1691 or 918-541-6615; First Christian Church, 2424 North Main, phone 918-542-9816 or 918-541-8119; Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2337 North Main, phone 918-542-4681 or 918-541-5237; Sacred Hearth Catholic Church, 2515 North Main, phone 918-541-5801.