Now that Hurricane Helene has moved out of our area, the focus turns to cleanup and recovery. There are important health reminders for anyone dealing with a prolonged power outage, floodwater, or other post-storm concerns.
Please review the information below and share with others. Additional resources are available at the CDC website and Ready.gov.
Power Outages
Food Safety After a Power Outage
Once power is off, the refrigerator keeps food at safely cold temperatures for 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
If your power is off longer, your food is not safe to eat and should be discarded.
For more information on food safety after a storm, please visit Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods | FDA and Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency | CDC.
Guidance for Restaurants After a Power Outage
If you own or operate a food service establishment and your facility experienced flooding or an extended power outage, you must close the facility and contact your local Environmental Health office prior to reopening.
Additional Resources:
- After the Flood: Guidance for Food Service Establishments
- Restaurants and Grocers: Reopening After Hurricanes and Flooding
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from your home, doors and windows.
Install battery-operated or battery backup carbon monoxide detectors near every sleeping area in your home.
Flooding
Please Keep Kids Out of Floodwater
Keep in mind that floodwater often carries germs. If you touch it, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer.
Do not allow children to play in any free-flowing, run-off, or floodwater. This water can be contaminated with bacteria or chemicals. Floodwater often carries organisms that can cause infections if they get into cuts or scrapes.
Floodwater can also displace insects and reptiles which can be dangerous to people.
Is Your Tetanus Vaccination Up to Date?
If you’re cleaning up after floodwater or assisting with the recovery, it’s important to be up-to-date on your tetanus vaccine. Tetanus bacteria is found naturally in soil. If you wade through flood water, you could encounter sharp objects and sustain an injury that allows the tetanus bacteria to enter your body. Although tetanus infection is rare, it can be very serious or even fatal.
The best way to prevent infection is to be vaccinated prior to exposure, which is why all adults should receive tetanus booster shots every 10 years. However, tetanus vaccination is still effective if given within 48 hours after an injury.
Avoid contact with flood waters if you have an open wound. Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water and covering with a waterproof bandage to reduce chance of infection.
You may need a tetanus vaccine if:
- It has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus vaccination.
- You have a puncture wound and it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus vaccination.
- You have a wound that has come in contact with floodwater and it has been more than 5 years since your last tetanus vaccination.
If you’re not sure if you need a tetanus vaccine, contact your local county health department or your regular healthcare provider.
The cost of tetanus vaccination is covered by most health insurance plans. If you do not have insurance coverage for this vaccine, no-cost options may be available at the health departments of the Coastal Health District.
Emergency Wound Care After a Disaster
Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infection.
Click here for information about emergency wound care after a disaster.
Decontaminating Private Wells After Flooding
The Coastal Health District urges private well owners to take precautions and disinfect any well that flooded during recent severe weather.
When a well is flooded, the water can become contaminated with bacteria that could cause waterborne illness. Disinfection of a flooded private well cannot begin until the water covering the affected well has receded.
Click here for steps to decontaminate your private well.
Floodwater and Mosquitoes
Standing water can bring mosquitoes that carry disease. To avoid mosquito bites when outdoors, use insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow label directions.
Wear long sleeves, pants and socks when you’re outside.
Be sure to drain water from any containers in your yard to eliminate breeding locations for mosquitoes and prevent the spread of illness. Tip out standing water in flowerpots, planters, children’s toys, wading pools and buckets.
Mold Cleanup After a Flood
Mold will grow where there is moisture, so if your home flooded, you may begin to find mold in your house. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood to reduce the growth of mold. Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away.
If you see or smell mold, you should remove it. Click here for more detailed information about mold removal from the CDC.
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