While millions of people struggle to recover from the damage caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, law enforcement officers, other rescuers, and healthcare providers need to be on high alert for the expected as well as the unexpected health conditions that result from being exposed to rising floodwaters and numerous other perils.
Priorities for First Responders Dealing with Hurricane Aftermath
- The #1 cause of death during hurricanes and severe storms is drowning. Bodies may still be found.
- The second thing to think about is exposure to the elements during and after the storm. Even though it's warm in Houston and Florida right now, people exposed to floodwaters are still subject to hypothermia; especially the elderly and young children.
- Probably the biggest obstacle to overcome is to determine how well contained the sewers are. Any mixing of the sewage system into the water could cause severe diarrheal outbreaks. Floodwater can also carry Hepatitis A, Salmonella, E. coli and Shigella infections. Luckily, the most commonly found water borne diseases; cholera, typhoid or yellow fever, are not common in the USA, so an outbreak is highly unlikely.
- Catastrophic flooding significantly raises the risk of ills ranging from skin rashes to bacterial and viral infections. Sewage can cause boils or rashes on parts of the body that are submerged for extended periods of time. Chemicals can also cause rashes and burning of the skin and eyes after exposure.
- In a flood, water sources can easily become contaminated with known toxins: motor oil, a can of gasoline, paint, acetone, bleach, ammonia, fertilizer, pesticides, drain cleaners, laundry detergent, and on and on.
- Additionally, sewage and chemicals can hide sharp objects made of metal or glass resulting in lacerations, puncture wounds, fractures, and other orthopedic injuries.
- As the floodwaters drop, and the water starts moving and then standing, there will be an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus and Zika.
- Downed power lines can lead to significant electrical shock, or even electrocution.
- Improper use of home generators can put people in extreme danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators can produce as much carbon monoxide as 100 cars. They should be used out in the open air, never in a garage or carport. Often people may not realize they are being poisoned. Complaints of confusion and sleepiness are significant clues.
Not So Fast, It’s Not Over Yet
Once the floodwaters recede and people start heading back to their homes, a whole new list of health hazards develop. Remember that everything that touches floodwater must be considered contaminated by raw sewage and different chemicals. You can't just dry things out, and hope for the best.
Health-Related Cleanup Challenges
- The CDC advises people to wear rubber boots, gloves, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt during any flood cleanup to avoid direct contact with any item that has come into contact with floodwater.
- Mold can develop very quickly when it gets into walls and carpets, and that can unfortunately cause major exacerbations of asthma and other respiratory problems. Wear an N-95 respirator and goggles for protection from mold during cleanup.
- Do not use portable generators inside your house or garage. Do not put portable generators on balconies or near doors, vents, or windows. Do not use portable generators near where you or your children are sleeping.
- NEVER turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water. Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system before turning the power on again.
- Throw away anything that became wet with flood water and cannot be cleaned.
- Food and beverages that have come into contact with floodwater should be thrown away.
- Food is tricky, but truthfully, it just isn’t worth the risk. For example, suppose you have a can of food that looks like it's okay; you'll still have to sanitize it, because you wouldn't want to open it up and get E. coli and hepatitis into the food inside.
- The CDC has a factsheet addressing ways to “Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Emergency” https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html
- Drink bottled water only. Boiled water will disinfect the contents of disease, but it will not eliminate any chemicals that may have entered the water source.
- Walls, floors and anything with a hard surface that has come into contact with floodwater -- like appliances, countertops or children's play areas -- need to be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a bleach solution.
- Do not combine cleaning products, especially with bleach
- Fabrics should be washed in hot water or dry-cleaned.
- Furniture like beds and upholstered sofas and chairs that can be saved should be dried in the sun and then sprayed with a disinfectant.
- Carpets should be steam-cleaned.
- Do not let children play with toys that have been in the water unless they have since been thoroughly washed.
- The FDA suggests that people should also throw away prescription drugs, even those that are in their original containers or with screw tops, as they may no longer be safe if they've come into contact with contaminated water.
- The CDC suggests that people who are near standing water should take extra care and use bug spray with DEET, reapply as necessary.
Mental Health Concerns
Natural disasters can generate anxiety, depression, stress and grief. Hurricanes and storms can also exacerbate existing mental health problems, or lead to new ones.
Some individuals may develop symptoms associated with a post-traumatic stress disorder. For people suffering with lingering mental challenges, counseling is recommended. For immediate help, the Health and Human Services Department offers a Disaster Distress Helpline to help those struggling with mental health problems resulting from the storm. That toll-free number, staffed by mental health professionals, is 1-800-985-5990.
Top Ten Tips for Officers to Remember
1. Never enter the water yourself when a rescue can be performed via a different method. If possible, throw the victim a rescue line or flotation device so that you can pull them to safety or allow them to self-rescue.
2. If you do not know how to swim, learn. YMCAs have classes
3. Preemptively, know your patrol area and recognize potential danger areas during a flood situation.
4. Know which roadways are likely to wash out and which alternate routes should remain open.
5. Know where the most vulnerable citizens on your beat are located.
6. Follow your department’s protocol for clearing an area.
7. Know when and how to say no. Mean it.
8. Know what other emergency responders are doing and where; communications are imperative.
9. Do not neglect your own safety or that of your family.
10. Both the CDC and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration recommend that first responders involved in flood cleanups ensure that their tetanus vaccination status is up to date. If you have symptoms of an infection seek medical treatment immediately.
Stay safe and dry out there. Thank you for keeping us safe.
