Tropical storms
and hurricanes can cause flooding. Although skin contact with flood waters does
not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, health hazards are a concern when
waters become contaminated.
Flood waters may
contain waste material with associated bacteria and viruses. DOH recommends the
following precautions to prevent possible illness from flood waters:
Basic hygiene is
critical. Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or
disinfected before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after
participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles
contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Avoid eating or
drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.
Do not wade
through standing water. If you do, bathe and put on clean clothes as soon as
possible.
Avoid contact with
flood waters if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores
and cannot avoid contact with flood waters, keep them as clean as possible by washing
them with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or
drainage, seek immediate medical attention. People who sustain lacerations
and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 5
years require a tetanus booster.
If there is a
backup of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves
during cleanup. Remove and discard absorbent household materials, such as wall
coverings, cloth, rugs, and dry wall. Clean walls and hard-surfaced floors with
soap and water and disinfect with a solution of 1/4 cup of bleach to one gallon
of water. Thoroughly disinfect food contact surfaces (countertops,
refrigerators, tables) and areas where small children play. Wash all linens and
clothing in hot water. Air dry larger items in the sun and spray them with a
disinfectant. Steam-clean all carpeting.
If your plumbing
is operating slowly or sluggishly, you should:
Save water as much
as possible; the less water used the less sewage the septic tank must process
or a sewer line needs to handle. Minimize use of your washing machine. Rental
of a portable toilet for a temporary period may be another option.
Do not have the
septic tank pumped. Very high water tables might crush a septic tank that was
pumped dry. If the basic problem is high ground water, pumping the tank does
nothing to solve that problem.
If you cannot use
your plumbing without creating a sanitary nuisance, i.e., without sewage being
exposed, consider moving to a new location until conditions improve.
Do not have the
septic tank and drain field repaired until the ground has dried. Often systems
will work when dry conditions return. Any repair must be permitted and
inspected by your county health department.
For more
information, please contact your county health department or visit
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