Cleanup kits and roof tarps for hurricane/flood victims are available at the environmental-health section of the Beaufort County Health Department. That office is located at 220 N. Market St., Washington.

The kits were collected and distributed to areas of need by United Methodist groups — N.C. United Methodist Church Disaster Recovery Ministries and United Methodist Committee on Relief — that assist with disaster recovery, according to Stacey Harris, supervisor of the environmental-health section. The kits — five-gallon buckets — contain gloves, various cleaners, bug spray and other cleaning supplies.

“These supplies enable people to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood or hurricane,” according to the UMCOR website, which values a bucket at $65. Many people put together the cleaning buckets by following a list of suggested items and shipping instructions. The list and shipping information may be found online at the UMCOR website (see website information at end of article).

The cleaning buckets arrived at the environmental-health section Thursday. The buckets may be picked up from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. The section also has information on cleaning up after a flood. The brochures, which include solutions to mold problems, are available at the section’s office.

The environmental section recommends using a disinfecting solution of three-quarters cup of household bleach to one gallon of water for cleaning interior surfaces such as floors, counters, walls, dishes, glass and plastic immediately after floodwaters recede. It recommends removing loose debris, then wash the area with the disinfecting solution, keeping surfaces wet for two minutes before rinsing with purified water.

When cleaning large items, clean and dry them outside to avoid spreading contaminants in the house, if possible. Upholstered furniture, carpets and bedding — they soak up contaminated floodwaters — should be cleaned by a professional cleaning company. Usually, solid wood furniture can be cleaned and repaired if damaged.

Exterior surfaces contaminated by floodwaters should be cleaned with a power hose, then apply the disinfecting solution. The surface should be kept wet with the solution for two to 10 minutes before being thoroughly rinsed.

Beaufort County building inspectors are distributing tarps to cover roof areas on homes and other buildings with leaks. The tarps are 20-feet- by-30- feet. The building inspectors’ office is adjacent to the environmental-health section.

For information on putting together cleanup buckets and shipping them, visit www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies/Relief- Supply-Kits/Cleaning.