How floodwater can make you very sick
Whether by an atmospheric river or hurricane, many weather events may leave countless homes and entire communities devastated by flash flooding.
FOX Weather explains: Flood Safety
FOX Weather meteorologists Stephen Morgan and Britta Merwin explain the importance of flood safety.
Floodwater flows into every nook and cranny, picking up any number of objects or waste it touches.
Given the amount of waste swirling within floods, the water becomes too dirty to see through, making it nearly impossible to see what exactly it contains.
HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "floodwaters contain many things that may harm health," such as:
- Wild or stray animals (dead or alive)
- Downed power lines, lumber or other types of debris
- Hazardous waste from households and medical and industrial facilities
- Biological waste from livestock and humans (e.g., feces)
Flooding in California due to atmospheric river storms.
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Contact with physical objects in the water may cause cuts or other injuries, contact with animals in the water may lead to bites and scratches and contact with chemical and biological waste may lead to infections.
WHY A BIOHAZARD TEAM MAY NEED TO CLEAN YOUR FLOOD-DAMAGED HOME
If floodwater contaminants enter the body either through open wounds or are ingested, they can lead to an assortment of diseases and ailments. Some examples of these are:
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Infections of wounds
- Skin rashes
- Tetanus, a potentially lethal illness that affects the nervous system
- Cholera, a diarrheal illness that, if untreated, can lead to death within hours
Drone video shows extensive flooding in Santa Cruz, CA from atmospheric river
Drone video shows extensive flooding in Santa Cruz, California from the San Lorenzo River due to an atmospheric river slamming the state.
HERE'S WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAR IS FLOODED
Because of these dangers, it’s important to completely avoid or limit your exposure to floodwaters. The CDC offers these recommendations:
- Cover clean, open wounds with bandages that are waterproof
- Do not drink floodwater or use it for personal hygiene
- Do not use floodwater to wash or prepare food or to wash dishes
- Only use water that has been boiled, treated or bottled
- If using a private well, test your water before using it