Update on Vernonia Flooding (VIDEO)

Water rationing is in effect, but there are options for staying healthy and sanitized, which is extremely important in a floodwater area.

Vernonia, Oregon flood

(VERNONIA, Ore.) - Residents in Vernonia are now asked to only use water for basic health and food preparation. "Please do not use water for laundry or washing down residences, walkways and driveways," Elaine Parrott with the Office of State Fire Marshal said. She says bottled water is available at the Vernonia City Hall. In the meanwhile Parrott says, residents need to wait a few more days for the system to normalize.

"The city water system is beginning to produce good water. It is estimated that it will take four to five days for the reservoir capacity to recover."

To prevent the spread of disease, safety experts say you should wash you hands with purified water often, especially after working in flood contaminated areas.

Parrott says this means washing with soap and warm water, rubbing them together for 20 seconds, "long enough to sing the Happy Birthday song twice," she added, and then rinse and dry with a disposable towel. "If soap and water are not available and you have a commercial alcohol based hand sanitizer, that is a good 'second best' she added, suggesting that it is important to use it according to directions.

Residents of Vernonia who have flood debris in their yards can immediately take the debris to the street by their yards. Emergency workers have made arrangements for haulers to begin today, removing debris on a street-by-street basis. {arrott added that haulers will make continuous sweeps through Vernonia to clear debris.

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Parrott suggests wearing gloves, boots and protective eyewear while clearing debris. She also says that when completed with debris removal clean hands and exposed areas in hot soapy water. Remove and wash clothing. Here are a series of videos posted on YouTube on the Vernonia flooding, many of the shots will surprise you. This comes courtesy of YouTube member dorlndo.

Vernonia flood 2007 footage from YouTube member filburn2 who is a Vernonia resident.