Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Safety Guidelines

Flood safety tips & recovery safety guidelines

Fatalities can occur in the aftermath of major floods due to preventable safety risks. Please take every precaution to protect yourself and your loved ones.

If no clean running water is available, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer continues to be the preferred method for hand hygiene. If you are involved in flood recovery efforts, wear rubber boots and gloves. If working in muddy areas, you should wear a mask or respirator.

Flood recovery checklist

Anyone involved in disaster cleanup should check their tetanus vaccine status. Hepatitis A vaccine is a routinely recommended vaccine for adults and children. Being exposed to floodwater is not a recommendation for this vaccine, but it’s still important to ensure you are up to date with all routinely recommended vaccines.

Prior to the floods, there was already an increase in West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis, diseases spread by mosquitos. If working outside, please:

Wear protective clothing for cleaning

  • Wear rubber, waterproof gloves to avoid contact with mud or contaminated water
  • If working in muddy areas, you should wear a mask or respirator as there is a possibility toxins, irritants, chemicals and bacteria have settled into the mud and could be released as a microscopic airborne dust. 
  • If working outside, wear loose-fitting long sleeve shirts and pants to cover all exposed skin
  • Waterproof rubber boots
  • If entering floodwater, wear goggles

Caution for those with bee allergies

If you or your family have a bee allergy, please be aware the flooding has disturbed bee hives so have all need supplies on hand— EpiPens and Benadryl as prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

When to seek medical attention

Seek medical attention as soon as possible if:

  • If a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, seek immediate medical attention.
  • There is a foreign object (soil, wood, metal, or other objects) embedded in the wound.
  • The wound is at special risk of infection (such as a dog bite or a puncture by a dirty object).
  • An old wound shows signs of becoming infected (increased pain and soreness, swelling, redness, draining or you develop a fever).

What to do after a flood

The best way to protect yourself is to stay out of the water, but if you do come in contact with floodwater:

  • Wash the area with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer
  • Take care of wounds and seek medical attention if necessary
  • Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent before reusing them

If you must enter floodwater, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles.

Stay out of floodwaters

While they may seem calm, floodwaters are extremely dangerous. There could be hidden debris, wildlife, and even electrical currents. Keep children out of standing water. 

We don’t know exactly what is in floodwater at any given point in time. Floodwater can contain:

  • Downed power lines
  • Human and livestock waste
  • Household, medical, and industrial hazardous waste (chemical, biological, and radiological)
  • Coal ash waste that can contain carcinogenic compounds such as arsenic, chromium and mercury
  • Other germs and contaminants that can lead to illness
  • Physical objects such as lumber, vehicles and debris
  • Wild or stray animals such as rodents and snakes

Protect yourself and your loved ones from diarrheal diseases. Be aware that floodwater can contain sewage, and eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater can cause diarrheal disease (such as E. coli or salmonella infection). To protect yourself and your family:

  • Wash your hands after contact with floodwater
  • Wash children’s hands with soap and water often and always before meals
  • Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas
  • Do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by floodwater and have not been disinfected
  • Do not bathe in water that may be contaminated with sewage or toxic chemicals. This includes rivers, streams or lakes that are contaminated by floodwater

Boil water advisories

Many local water utilities have been forced to suspend service, and several of those still operating or coming back on line are issuing boil water advisories. It’s crucial to follow these advisories, as boiling water kills harmful organisms like bacteria, viruses and parasites that can lead to symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, headaches and other conditions.

If you’re uncertain whether your area is affected, it’s best to err on the side of caution and boil your water before consuming it.

Do not use generators indoors

The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal. Generators should only be used in well-ventilated, outdoor areas.

Be cautious with heavy equipment and chainsaws

If you are unfamiliar with using these tools, now is not the time to learn. Improper use can lead to serious injury.

Do not go onto the property of evacuated hospitals

This is a serious risk and access is restricted for your protection and the safety of others.

Questions

For health and safety questions or concerns related to flooding or power outages due to the hurricane, call the Northeast Regional Health Office’s Citizen Information Line at (423) 979‑4689, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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