Flooding 05.26.2011
May 26, 2011
For immediate release
For more information contact: Amy Elwood or Heather Easton or 308-995-4778 or 1-888-669-7154.
Flood Clean-up Precautions And Private Well Protection
Two Rivers Public Health Department would like to share information about potential problems from the floodwaters in our area. Concerns include an increase in mold growth and injuries to people cleaning up properties.
Follow all warnings about water on roadways and flooding in streams. Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment through water. If you have to work in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket. If you are caught in an area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket, or use some other type of flotation device.
Clean up as soon as possible and prevent mold growth.Clean and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. To remove moldgrowth, wear rubber gloves, open windows and doors, and clean with a bleach solution of1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Throw away porous items (for example, carpet andupholstered furniture) that cannot be dried quickly. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls, orplumbing.
Treat wounds. Clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed (such as a tetanus shot). If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention.
Wash your hands frequently.Use soap and clean water to wash your hands. If this isn't available, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Flood conditions pose a serious threat to the quality of water supplies. Flooded private water wells need to be tested for bacteria and perhaps disinfected after flood waters recede. Water from such wells should be considered NOT SAFE FOR DRINKING until proven otherwise by a certified laboratory. Signs of possible contamination may include cloudiness or a change in taste or smell.
Floodwater can become contaminated with fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial byproducts. That’s why people who drink or eat anything contaminated with flood water can be exposed to serious health risks.
If you suspect your water supply was contaminated, drink only commercially bottled, boiled or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe.
Water sample kits for testing may be obtained from the Lower Republican Natural Resource District (308) 928-2182, through the Department of Health and Human Services Regulation and Licensure (R&L) Laboratory by calling (402) 471-3935 or from Two Rivers Public Health Department at 888-669-7154.
