AFTER THE STORM FLOOD WATER SAFETY

Noelda Lopez, Public Information Specialist Noelda.Lopez@flhealth.gov

Eustis FL – As Hurricane Ian impacts the state, and large amount of rainfall continues to fall, it is important to be prepared for issues related to flooding.

Moving Flood Water

• During flooding, the greatest threat comes from moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. People should avoid driving in moving water, regardless of the size of their
• Pooling flood water and heavy rain causes waters levels to rise and collect on streets and throughout neighborhoods. In these situations, be aware of the following:
  • Road surfaces become obscured, and drivers can unknowingly steer into a deep body of water, such as a canal or
  • Electricity from streetlights and power poles may be active through standing water, causing a deadly shock to anyone coming in contact with
  • Children playing in contaminated standing water can become sick or be bitten by snakes or floating
  • People coming into contact with floodwaters should thoroughly rinse any exposed body parts with soap and sanitized or disinfected
  • Contaminated Water Supply
  • Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. You cannot assume that the water in the hurricane-affected area is safe to drink. Listen to local announcements on safety of the water
  • If your public water system lost pressure, a boil water notice will likely be issued for your
  • People in these areas should take precautions to avoid contaminated water, especially individuals with private wells. If your well is in a flooded area, your water may contain disease-causing organisms and may not be safe to

DOH-Lake recommends one of the following: 

• Boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, washing, cooking,
• Disinfect water by adding 8 drops (about 1/8 tsp – this would form a puddle about the size of a dime) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water, and then let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for drinking. This will prevent contamination; or
• Use only bottled water, especially for mixing baby

After the flooding subsides:

• Disinfect your well using the procedures available from your local health department, or provided on the Department of Health Web site at Emergency Information | Florida Department of Health (floridahealth.gov) and
• Have your water tested by your local health department or by a laboratory certified by the State to perform a drinking water

Contaminated Food

Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with floodwaters. Discard any food without a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with floodwaters.

Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels thoroughly, wash the cans, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting of 1/4 cup of unscented household bleach per gallon of water for clean surfaces. Re-label your cans, including the expiration date, with a marker. Food containers with screwcaps, snap lids and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come in contact with floodwaters because they cannot be disinfected.

Contaminated Items

Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers. There is no way to safely clean them if they have come in contact with contaminated floodwaters. Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils with soap and hot water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup of household bleach per gallon of water.

Hygiene

Basic hygiene is very important during natural disaster. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected and cooled. Hands should be washed before preparing or eating food, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, after handling uncooked food, after playing with a pet, after handling garbage, after tending to someone who is sick or injured, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.

AFTER THE STORM FLOOD WATER SAFETY

For further information, please visit our website at http://lake.floridahealth.gov/ or www.FloridaDisaster.org. Follow us on Twitter at @FLHealthLake

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.