Yesterday, I found myself in a situation that could have easily gone unnoticed, but it left me shaken, scared, and deeply concerned for the safety of my family—including my beloved fur pups. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we had just regained power after being out for three long days. Helene caused massive flooding in our area, taking out bridges and overrunning roads, leaving destruction in its wake. But just as we got our power back, we lost it again.

Normally, I cook fresh meals for my dogs—boiled chicken, brown rice, peas, and carrots. But with no power, I couldn’t prepare their usual dinner, so I made a quick decision to treat them with something I usually wouldn’t: burgers and ham and cheese sandwiches from Hardee’s. It’s not their typical meal—they usually eat better than my husband, who often jokingly complains about it. But with our fridge emptied and all the food spoiled due to the power outage, I had no other choice. Even the large pot of chicken and rice I had made for them had to be thrown out.

While out, I grabbed myself a tea from Hardee’s and then headed to Bojangles to pick up dinner for my husband and me. That’s when things took a frightening turn. As I ordered, Bojangles informed me they couldn’t give me anything to drink due to a water advisory. My stomach dropped—water advisory? Hardee’s had just given me a large sweet tea, and I had been drinking it.

The employees at Bojangles looked at me in shock. They warned me that all local fast-food chains had been told not to serve drinks and to boil water. One manager even advised me to hold onto my receipt and cup from Hardee’s in case I got sick. I felt a wave of panic—what had I just consumed? I rushed back to Hardee’s, but the staff there had no idea what I was talking about. They said they had been giving drinks to customers all day and weren’t aware of any advisory.

Confused and anxious, I checked Facebook, and there it was—an official Boil Water Advisory issued by the City of Belmont. The message explained that due to Hurricane Helene, the water system had experienced issues with turbidity—a condition where the water becomes discolored, which can interfere with disinfection processes. While turbidity itself doesn’t pose a direct health risk, it can compromise the water’s safety, making it easier for harmful bacteria to survive. The advisory urged all residents to boil any water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or washing dishes, as a precautionary measure. They were still awaiting test results for bacteria, but in the meantime, everyone was told to treat the water as unsafe.

The most disturbing part? My mother-in-law received a call directly from the city, informing her of the advisory—yet Hardee’s, where I had just gotten my tea, seemed completely oblivious. Their phones went unanswered when I tried calling them back for more information.

It has now been 12 hours, and thankfully, I feel fine. But that doesn’t change how furious—and terrified—I felt in that moment. How many others, just like me, unknowingly drank potentially unsafe water? How many families, already overwhelmed by the loss of power, flooding, and road closures, were put at further risk by misinformation or negligence?

To make matters worse, bridges were washed out and roads destroyed from the storm. Communities are still reeling from massive flooding, with homes damaged, people stranded, and entire areas cut off from essential services. Access to clean water is vital during times like this, and the last thing anyone needs is to be unknowingly exposed to contaminated water.

Adding to the chaos, there are still over 300,000 people in my surrounding area without power. I know how fortunate we are to have ours restored, even if only for a brief period. It’s a sobering reminder that things could be much worse, and my heart goes out to those still struggling without electricity, and who lost everything. In moments like this, even the smallest conveniences become a luxury, and I feel deeply blessed and thankful to have power back, even if just for a short time.

This isn’t just an oversight—it’s a dangerous failure in communication. Local businesses should be responsible for keeping their customers informed, especially when public health is at risk. The city made the advisory known, but not every business was following the guidelines, leaving many of us in the dark.

This experience has reminded me just how quickly things can spiral out of control in a disaster. In the blink of an eye, a small sip of tea could turn into a health emergency. We rely on local officials, businesses, and government agencies to keep us informed and safe, but sometimes they fall short, and it’s up to us to stay vigilant.

What can you do in situations like this?

• Always check local advisories during and after a disaster. Even if businesses seem unaware, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Boil your water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth during any water advisory.
• Avoid relying solely on businesses for safe food and drink after a natural disaster. Keep an eye on local government announcements or social media channels for updates.
• If you’re ever in doubt, stick to bottled water until you can confirm that the water supply is safe.

As we rebuild from Hurricane Helene’s destruction, I’m left feeling grateful that I didn’t get sick—but also deeply aware of the fragility of our safety in times of crisis. We’re still waiting for the results of the water tests, and the City of Belmont continues to advise residents to boil water until further notice.

The real lesson? Don’t take anything for granted in the aftermath of a disaster. Stay informed, stay cautious, and never assume that what you’re being served is safe. A simple drink can turn into a dangerous gamble, and our health—and the health of our loved ones—depends on our vigilance.

Resources:

• City of Belmont Facebook Page: Official updates and water advisories.
• CDC Guidelines: How to safely boil water during advisories.
• Local News Outlets: Stay informed about public health warnings and disaster updates.

The storm may have passed, but the ripple effects of its destruction are still unfolding. Protect yourself, your family, and your pets by staying alert and informed. Because in moments like these, a single sip could change everything.