Returning Home After the Flood — Health Issues

Editor’s Note:

Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Director Jeff Nelson, issued the following information for people who are returning home after flood waters entered their home.

The Following information is provided by the Environmental Health Division to residents of Grays

Harbor County as general public health related actions to take in order to prepare for and respond to

floods and extended power outages. Handouts with added detail are also provided. Please note that

Disposal of Dead Animals including Livestock may have specific requirements depending on the nature

of the Emergency; please contact Environmental Health at (360) 249-4222 for approved methods of

disposal following a flood or other disaster.

Listen to your local radio and television stations to see whether your drinking water was impacted by

a flood. If you water supply is unsafe to drink, a Boil Water Advisory or similar notice will be issued by

your water system and health authorities. You should have a safe supply of drinking water stored for

emergency situations, see preparing for emergencies below.

1. Try to store one gallon of water per person per day (drinking and sanitation)

2. Collect the water from a safe supply.

3. Use appropriate containers.

4. When storing water for extended periods of time add 8-10 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of regular

a. Public water systems should be considered safe unless otherwise notified.

a. Glass and plastic jugs previously used for juice, milk, pop or bottled water may be

used if cleaned thoroughly before using.

(5-6 Percent), unscented, liquid household bleach per each gallon of water. Stir it well and

let it stand for at least 30 minutes before you use it.

1. Use your safe stored water or bottled water.

2. If a safe supply of drinking water is not available, it should be treated before being used for

3. Boiling – This is the best method for disinfecting water.

G:\PS\Environmental Health\Emergency preparedness\2015\2015-1-5 Flood Ab Hoq\After the Flood Press Release.doc

drinking, cooking or brushing teeth.

4. Bleach – Use regular, unscented, liquid household bleach.

a. Place water in a clean metal or glass container and bring to a full boil for at least 1

b. Boiled water should be kept covered while cooling and stored as noted above.

a. Place water in a clean container. Add 8-10 drops (1/8 teaspoon) per gallon of water. Stir

it well and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before using it.

b. If water is cloudy double the amount of bleach added and length of time it stands. I.e.

20 drops (1/4 teaspoon) and 60 minutes.

c. Boiling is the best option because it can kill certain organisms that may survive bleach

1. If the top of your well was inundated by flood waters or even if flood waters came within

50-feet of your well, you should disinfect it by carefully following standard guidelines. These

guidelines are available on our website or call if you have questions (360) 249-4222. After

disinfecting and flushing it thoroughly, you should have it tested for bacteria, please call if

you need information on getting your well tested.

Septic Systems (On-site Sewage Systems – OSS)

If you are on a septic system, it may also not be functioning during flood conditions requiring restrictions

on the use of these systems. If you are experiencing problems with your system you should also call

(360) 249-4222, remember to keep children and animals away from any sewage on the ground.

1. Do not eat any food that may have come into direct contact with flood water.

2. Discard any food that is not in a water proof container if there is any chance that it has come

into contact with flood water (see handout -Safe Food After a Flood).

3. Remember when in doubt throw it out…for additional food safety information please call

Environmental Health at (360) 249-4222.

1. If the power goes out keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to

2. If you plan to eat refrigerated or frozen meat, poultry, fish or eggs while it is still at

maintain the cold temperature.

a. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if unopened.

b. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours if the door is

safe temperatures, it’s important that each item is thoroughly cooked to the proper

temperature. However if at any point the food was above 40 degrees for 2 hours or more –

3. Wash fruits and vegetables with water from a safe source before eating

G:\PS\Environmental Health\Emergency preparedness\2015\2015-1-5 Flood Ab Hoq\After the Flood Press Release.doc

4. For infants, try to use prepared canned baby formula that requires no added water. When

using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water

source is potentially contaminated.

Dead animals may pose a public health risk; a risk which can be reduced by proper disposal means. If

you own or discover dead livestock please contact Environmental Health for means of proper disposal.

Returning home after the flood; it is important to follow health and safety precautions when returning

home, or cleaning a home after a flood. If you have questions please call our office (360) 249-4222.

Flood waters are contaminated. Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a

serious health risk, there is a risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood

water. If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to flood water, keep them as clean

as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or

drainage, seek immediate medical attention.

In addition, parents need to help children avoid waterborne illness. Do not allow children to play in flood

water areas, wash children’s hands frequently (always before meals), and do not allow children to play

with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You can disinfect solid plastic toys

using a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water.

When returning home after a flood, make sure all electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks

are 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 lanterns, 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;

do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.

Home electrical systems may also be damaged after flooding. If you see frayed wiring or sparks, or if

there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical

system at the circuit breaker. You should also consult your utility company with any questions about

using electrical equipment, including power generators. All electrical equipment and appliances must

be completely dry before returning them to service. Also, remember not to operate any gas-powered

equipment indoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

• 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 areas.

• 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

• Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal

furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures).

G:\PS\Environmental Health\Emergency preparedness\2015\2015-1-5 Flood Ab Hoq\After the Flood Press Release.doc

• Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.

• After completing the cleanup, after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage,

or when preparing or eating food, wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or

• Wash all clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water, or worn during the cleanup, in hot

water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes

and linens. Use a Laundromat for washing large quantities of clothes until your onsite sewage

• Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.

Flood waters may also have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents from their

normal storage places. If any propane tanks (whether 20-lb. tanks from a gas grill or household propane

tanks) are discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These represent a very real danger of fire

or explosion, an if any are found, police or fire departments should be contacted immediately.

Car batteries, even those in flood water, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed

with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid coming in contact with any acid that may have

spilled from a damaged car battery.

For more information, contact Environmental Health at (360) 249-4222.