The
Louisiana Department of Health
advises that when you return to your home after a hurricane or flood,
be aware that flood water may contain sewage. Protect yourself and your
family by following these steps:
Inside the Home
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been
completed.
- Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
- Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as,
mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics,
stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings,
and most paper products).
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with
sewage or flood waters.
- Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding,
wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing
fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
- Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.
-
After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before
washing your hands).
- Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use
(solution of ? teaspoon [~0.75 milliliters] of household bleach per 1
gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy,
use a solution of ¼ teaspoon (~1.5 milliliters) of household bleach
per 1 gallon of water.
- Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These
clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
- Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent.
It is recommended that a laundromat be used for washing large quantities
of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally
inspected and serviced.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.
Outside the Home
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been
completed.
- Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.
- Have your onsite waste-water system professionally inspected and serviced
if you suspect damage.
- Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These
clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.
-
After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before
washing your hands).
- Or you may use water that has been disinfected for personal hygiene use
(solution of ? teaspoon [~0.75 milliliters] of household bleach per 1
gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy,
use solution of ¼ teaspoon (~1.5 milliliters) of household bleach
per 1 gallon of water.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.
Health Risks
Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious
diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries.
Infectious Diseases
Diarrheal Diseases
Eating or drinking anything contaminated by flood water can cause diarrheal
disease. To protect yourself and your family,
- Practice good hygiene (hand washing) after contact with flood waters.
- Do not allow children to play in flood water areas.
- Wash children's hands frequently (always before meals).
- Do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by
flood water and have not been disinfected.
Wound Infections
Open wounds and rashes exposed to flood waters can become infected. To
protect yourself and your family,
- Avoid exposure to flood waters if you have an open wound.
- Cover open wounds with a waterproof bandage.
- Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
- If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical
attention.
For more information, visit CDC’s
Emergency Wound Care After a Natural Disaster.
Chemical Hazards
Be aware of potential chemical hazards during floods. Flood waters may
have moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial
chemicals from their normal storage places.
Injuries
Drowning
- Flood water poses drowning risks for everyone, regardless of their ability
to swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow
standing water can be dangerous for small children.
- Vehicles do not provide adequate protection from flood waters. They can
be swept away or may stall in moving water.
Animal and Insect Bites
Flood waters can displace animals, insects, and reptiles. To protect yourself
and your family, be alert and avoid contact.
Electrical Hazards
Avoid downed power lines.
Wounds
Flood waters may contain sharp objects, such as glass or metal fragments,
that can cause injury and lead to infection.