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FLOODING COULD POSE PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS
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Charlotte, NC- Mecklenburg County residents awoke to quite a mess Wednesday as the remnants of Tropical Storm Fay dropped several inches of rain across the area causing widespread flooding.
Many homes and businesses sustained major damage as, in some cases, several feet of water quickly spilled inside.
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These heavy rains and flooding can present a number of dangers to your health and personal safety. The Mecklenburg County Health Department wants to give residents some useful information to help prevent injury and disease:
- Wearing proper footwear is extremely important. Broken glass, metal fragments and other debris may be submerged in the flooded area.
- If your home or business is damaged by floodwater, any porous or absorbent materials such as carpets, mattresses, or furniture should be thrown away. Remove and discard any contaminated household goods such as rugs, cloth and drywall, or wall coverings that cannot be disinfected.
- The longer you allow water to stand in your home, the higher the risk of health problems for bacteria or mold. Washing affected areas with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water will help remove mold and mildew.
- Floodwaters could cause sewage to back up into homes. Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup if this happens.
- Floating garbage can cause serious health problems and is often overlooked by homeowners.
- Discard any food: if safety is in doubt, if food has come into contact with flood water, or if your freezer or refrigerator has been without power for a period of time.
- Snakes and other wild animals may be looking for drier and higher ground in and around homes. Some of these animals could be infected with rabies, so avoid all contact with them.
Fact Sheets
Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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