After hurricanes come floodings

 
 

Like they say after rain comes sunshine, you know that after a hurricane major flooding is expected. We must be prepared for the issues that come along floods. How do we get through floods? What can floods contaminate? These are some flood related issues.

First of all, we must avoid driving in moving water; this is suggested even if you have a huge truck or what not. If you do decide to try and move across moving water the driver may unknowingly steer into a canal or pond. Another possible damage that can occur while driving through moving water is that you can be struck by a deadly shock, this shock comes from the electricity from streetlights and power poles may be active though standing water.

When an individual comes in contact with flood waters you must wash off with boiled/disinfected water that is cooled. It is important that we do not drink or eat anything that has been contaminated. Always wash your hands after everything you do, just to prevent getting sick or contaminated.

So what can floods contaminate?

Anything that flood waters came in contact with is contaminated; do not assume it is not or that the water is safe to drink. 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 screw-caps, snap lids and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come in contact with floodwaters because they cannot be disinfected. Other items around the household that can become contaminated include:  pacifiers, baby bottle nipples, wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, and brushes. You must wash all items with boiled water or immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup of household bleach per gallon of water.

To make sure your water is drinkable you can get it tested by your local health department.

Don’t just think that once the water goes down you are safe. Floods contribute too many infectious diseases. Make sure to check everything you consume, from the water you drink and the food you intake. Unfortunately hurricanes or large rainfalls cause floods. It is important we know what to do when this occurs. Make sure to be stocked up with water bottles and canned goods and also contact your local health department for any concerns.

 

Comments

[Yeseniayanethportillo]

Just a few months’s ago after it rained for a whole day many streets in Houston were flooded, including the ones in my commute from work to home. I was lucky enough to make it home safely and with no damages done to my car. I think that it's time to have some engineering done in Houston to minimize flooding. Also let’s not forget that each and every one of us can contribute by cleaning our ditches which are polluted most of the time, or full of leaves and tree branches. The water has no where to go because it’s being blocked by all this debri.

[Sara]

I remember looking out my window after Allison and seeing young kids playing on the flooded streets. I understand maybe kids get bored and they need to play but I do not understand their parents for allowing them to be in those dirty contaminated waters. Maybe some people just dont realize the diseases that are in those contaminated waters. It is sad to know that maybe those kids got sick simply because their parents were not aware of the dangers of letting kids play in the flooded streets.

[Elizabeth Jones]

I've been lucky to not have to personally deal with flooding, so I didn't realize how damaging the water could be. I always figured once the water was gone, you could go back to your normal lives. I didn't realize how much contamination there is connected to floods.

I've also always steered away from driving in flooded areas just to keep my car safe. I never thought about how the electrical lines from the street lights could be dangerous or harmful.

I also agree with Yesenia that something needs to be done to reduce flooding because some areas get flooded just from a rain storm. I like the idea of cleaning out our ditches because I'm sure there is a lot of garbage and tree trimings and rocks down there that don't need to be there. Another thing the city could do is clean out the street drains. I've seen people throw their trash in them countless times. I'm sure that is where some of the flood water contamination comes from. But on a personal level, we can do our part to keep the ditches and drains by our homes clean. Some people should also look into landscaping their yards, because sometimes the yard is higher than the patio or house, making the rain water collect near the home.

There are a few simple steps we can take to minimize at least some of the potential flooding. And those were great tips about contamination and flooding.