WATER, WATER,
EVERYWHERE,
AND NOT A DROP TO DRINK
In most cases we are given warning before a flood happens, but the physical damage that comes with a flood is huge. As the flood waters recede, there may be more threats to your personal health and safety.
The weeks after a flood are going to be rough - In addition to your physical health; you need to take time to consider your mental health as well. Remember that some sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, hyperactivity, mild depression, or lack of energy is normal. If you feel any of these symptoms intensely, seek some counseling. Your state and local health departments will help you find the local resources you may need.
Seven (7) items of importance:
1. Water Quality - Listen for public announcements on the safety of the municipal water supply. Private water wells will need to be tested and disinfected after the flood waters recede. Questions about testing should be directed to your local or state health departments. Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled, or treated water.
Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill harmful bacteria and parasites and most organisms.
Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets, or by mixing 16 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypo chlorite) per gallon of water*. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. This treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.
Containers for water should be rinsed with the *bleach solution before reusing them.
If you suspect that your well may be contaminated, contact your local or state health department or agriculture extension agent for specific advice.
2. Food Safety - Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you: remove the can labels, thoroughly wash the cans, then disinfect them with a solution consisting of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water, re label your cans, including expiration date, with a marker.
Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with flood water because they cannot be disinfected.
For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula that requires no added water, rather than powdered formulas prepared with treated water.
Frozen and Refrigerated Foods - your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about 4 hours without power if it is unopened. Add block, dry ice or the 2 liter bottles you have frozen with water in your freezer, to your refrigerator on the highest shelf if the electricity will be off longer than 4 hours. If your refrigerator or freezer may be without power for a longer period you will want to seek freezer space at friends' who have electricity, or at a store, church, school or commercial freezer.
Thawed food can usually be eaten or refrozen if it is still "refrigerator cold", or if it still contains ice crystals. Discard any food that has been at room temperature for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
To be safe, remember, "When in doubt, throw it out."
3. Sanitation and Hygiene - It is VERY important to remember to wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected, especially before: preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in flood cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Flood waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial by products. Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, if you have any open cuts or sores keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. Seek immediate medical attention if a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage. You may need to have a tetanus booster if you receive a puncture wound or if a wound is infected.
Do not allow children to play in flood water areas or with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect toys using a solution of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water.
4. Precautions When Returning Home - Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions. Try to return to your home during the daytime so that you do not have to use any lights.
Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lantern, or torches. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately.
Notify the gas company or the police or fire departments and do not turn on the lights or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
5. Cleanup - If there has been a back flow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall.
Walls, hard-surfaced floors, and many other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 5 gallons of water. Be particularly careful to thoroughly disinfect surfaces that come in contact with food, such as counter tops, pantry shelves, refrigerators, etc. Areas where small children play should also be carefully cleaned.
Wash all linens and clothing in hot water, or dry clean them. For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, air dry them in the sun and then spray them thoroughly with a disinfectant. steam clean all carpeting.
6. Mosquitoes - Mosquitoes are most active at sunrise and sunset. The large amount of standing water remaining after the flood will lead to an increase in mosquito populations. To control mosquito populations, drain all standing water left in containers around your home.
To protect yourself from mosquitoes, wear long-sleeved and long-legged clothing. Insect repellents containing DEET are very effective. Be sure to read all instructions before using DEET. Care must be taken when using DEET on small children.
7. Other Hazards - such as Swiftly Flowing Water, Animals and Chemical hazards:
Swiftly Flowing Water - Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly - regardless of your ability to swim. Even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children. Car or other vehicles do not provide adequate protection from flood waters. Cars can be swept away or may break down in moving water.
Animals - Many wild animals are forced from their homes by flooding, and many domestic animals are also without homes. Take care to avoid them as some may carry rabies. Do not corner an animal. If they must be removed, contact your local animal control authorities.
Chemical Hazards - Use extreme caution when returning to your area after a flood. Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during flood recovery. Flood waters may have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from their normal storage places.
Propane tanks - (whether 20-lb. tanks from a gas grill or household propane tanks) - When discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These represent a very real danger of fire or explosion, and if any are found, police or fire departments or your State Fire Marshal's office should be contacted immediately.
Car batteries - even those in flood water, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed and with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid coming in contact with any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery.