PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO STAY SAFE DURING FLOODING
June 2, 2022
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO STAY SAFE DURING FLOODING
Contact:
Breanna Johnson
DOHCollierPIO@flhealth.gov
(239) 252-8228
Naples, Fla. — Heavy rains are predicted to impact our area this weekend. It is important to be prepared for flooding. The Florida Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier)
emphasizes the importance of residents and visitors taking precautionary measures.
Moving Flood Water
During flooding, the greatest threat comes from moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. People should avoid driving in moving water, regardless of the size of the
vehicle.
Pooling Flood Water
Heavy rain causes flood waters to rise and pool on streets and throughout neighborhoods. In these situations, be aware of the following:
• Road surfaces become disguised and drivers can unknowingly steer into a deep body of water, such as a canal or pond.
• Electricity from streetlights and power poles may be present in standing water, causing a deadly shock to anyone coming in contact with it.
• Children playing in contaminated standing water can become sick or be bitten by snakes or floating insects.
• People coming into contact with floodwaters should thoroughly wash and rinse any exposed body parts with soap and disinfected water.
Contaminated Water Supply
Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. Water in a flood-affected area may not be safe to drink. Listen to local announcements on safety of the water supply.
If the public water system lost pressure, a boil water notice will likely be issued for your area. People in these areas should take precautions to avoid consuming contaminated water. If your
well is in a flooded area, your water may contain disease-causing bacteria and may not be safe to drink.
DOH recommends one of the following:
• Boil water for at least 1 minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, or washing dishes.
• Disinfect water by adding 8 drops (about 1/8 tsp – this would form a puddle about the size of a dime) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water, and then let it stand
for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure. Use a container that has a cap or cover for disinfecting and storing water to be used for
drinking. This will prevent contamination.
• Use only bottled water, especially for mixing baby formula.
After the flooding subsides:
• Disinfect your well using the steps provided by your local health department, or located on the Department of Health’s website at http://www.floridahealth.gov/healthyenvironments/private-well-testing/_documents/Flooded_Well_Broc.pdf
• f available, have your water tested through your county health department or by a laboratory certified by the state to perform a drinking water analysis.
Contaminated Food
• Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with floodwaters.
• Discard any food without a waterproof container if there is any chance it has come into contact with floodwaters.
• 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.
Contaminated Items
• Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers. There is no way to safely clean them if they have come in contact with contaminated floodwaters.
• Thoroughly wash metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils with soap and hot water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup of household bleach per gallon of water.
Hygiene
Basic hygiene is very important. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected and cooled. Hands should be washed before preparing or eating food, after
using the bathroom or changing a diaper, after handling uncooked food, after playing with a pet, after handling garbage, after tending to someone who is sick or injured, after blowing your nose,
coughing, or sneezing, after helping in flood cleanup activities, and after handling items contaminated with flood water or sewage.
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About the Florida Department of Health in Collier County
The Florida Department of Health in Collier County, nationally accredited as part of an Integrated Local Public Health Department System by the Public Health Accreditation Board,
works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyCollier. For more information, please visit collier.floridahealth.gov/
2022 Hurricane Central - Preparedness Guide
Terminology - Hurricane Watch
Hurricane watch = conditions possible within the next 48 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Review your evacuation route(s) & listen to local officials.
- Review the items in your disaster supply kit; and add items to meet the household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets.
Terminology - Hurricane Warning
Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs.
Steps to take:
- Follow evacuation orders from local officials, if given.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
Follow the hurricane timeline preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location.
- Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions.
- Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
- Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
- Turn on your TV or radio in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
- Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include food and water sufficient for at least three days, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
- Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.
- Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
- Keep your car in good working condition, and keep the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
After The Hurricane
- Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.
- Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.
- Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
- Watch out for debris and downed power lines.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.
- Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.
- Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.
