Now that Hurricane Helen has left our area, the focus has shifted to cleanup and recovery. For those dealing with prolonged power outages, flooding, or other post-storm concerns, there are important health considerations.
Please review the information below and share it with others. Additional resources are available on the CDC website and Ready.gov.
power outage
Food safety after power outage
When turned off, the refrigerator will keep food at a safe low temperature for 4 hours, and food in the freezer will remain safe for about 8 hours. If the power is off for too long, the food is no longer safe to eat and must be discarded.
For more information about food safety after a storm, see Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods | Keeping Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency with the FDA | CDC.
Information on restaurants after a power outage
If you own or operate a food service facility and your facility experiences flooding or an extended power outage, you must close your facility and contact your local environmental health office before reopening.
Additional resources:
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if the doors and windows are open. Only use the generator outdoors, at least 20 feet away from your home, doors, and windows.
Install battery-operated or battery-backed carbon monoxide detectors near all sleeping areas in your home.
flood
Keep children away from flood waters
Be aware that flood waters often carry bacteria. If you do come into contact with it, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or disinfectant.
Do not allow children to play in free-flowing, runoff, or flood water. This water can be contaminated with bacteria and chemicals. Flood waters often contain microorganisms that can cause infections if they get into cuts and scrapes.
Floods can also displace insects and reptiles, which can be dangerous to humans.
Have you received a tetanus vaccination?
If you’re helping with post-flood cleanup or recovery, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the tetanus vaccine. Clostridium tetani occurs naturally in soil. Walking through floodwaters can lead to injuries from sharp objects and the introduction of tetanus bacteria into the body. Tetanus infections are rare but can be very serious or even fatal.
The best way to prevent infection is to get vaccinated before exposure. Therefore, all adults should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years. However, the tetanus vaccine is effective if given within 48 hours after injury.
If the wound is open, avoid contact with flood water. To reduce the chance of infection, keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing them thoroughly with soap and clean water and covering them with a waterproof bandage.
Tetanus vaccine may be needed if:
It has been more than 10 years since my last tetanus vaccination. You have a sting and it has been more than five years since your last tetanus shot. You have a flood exposure wound and it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus shot.
If you are not sure whether you need the tetanus vaccine, contact your local county health department or your health care provider.
The cost of tetanus vaccination is covered by most health insurance plans. If you do not have insurance for this vaccine, a free option may be available at your Coastal Health District Health Department.
First aid for wounds after a disaster
Flooding and standing water pose a variety of risks, including infectious disease, chemical hazards, and injury. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection.
Click here for information on first aid for wounds after a disaster.
Decontamination of private wells after flooding
The Coastal Health District is reminding private well owners to take precautions and disinfect wells that have flooded during recent severe weather.
When a well floods, the water becomes contaminated with bacteria, which can lead to water-borne diseases. Disinfection of flooded private wells cannot begin until the water covering the affected well recedes.
Click here for instructions on how to decontaminate a private well.
flood and mosquitoes
Stagnant water can introduce disease-carrying mosquitoes. To prevent mosquito bites outdoors, use insect repellents with DEET or picaridin, IR3535, or lemon eucalyptus oil. Follow label instructions.
Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when going out.
Be sure to drain water from containers in your garden to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent the spread of disease. Dump any standing water from flowerpots, planters, children’s toys, paddling pools, buckets, etc.
Cleaning the mold after flooding
Mold tends to grow in damp areas, so if your home is flooded, you may have mold in your home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends thoroughly cleaning and drying your home quickly (within 24 to 48 hours) after a flood to reduce mold growth. Remove or replace any carpet or upholstery that gets wet and doesn’t dry quickly.
If you see or smell mold, you need to remove it. Click here for more information on mold removal from the CDC.
