Health Safety After a Flood: How to Protect Yourself and Your Family

If you’ve ever lived through a flood event, you know that the impact remains long after a storm passes. In addition to the immediate dangers, floodwaters may lead to mold, bacteria, and other health hazards. Take steps to prioritize health and safety after a flood to protect yourself and your family.

Infectious Disease Risks After Flooding

Gastrointestinal issues can be common for those who come into contact with contaminated floodwater or consume something that has. Drinking water (especially from private wells) may also be contaminated.

UCLA Health explains that rainwater is not harmful, but heavy rainfall may overwhelm sewer and drainage systems. As a result, raw sewage and storm runoff may contaminate water with animal and human waste as well as hazardous waste from nearby industrial buildings, household chemicals and cleaners, oil, and gasoline. Bacteria and mold also flourish in standing water. These risks mean people may experience gastrointestinal illness, infections, allergies, asthma flareups, and rashes.

According to CNN Health, floodwaters are often associated with cholera, typhoid, and yellow fever in some countries. However, these illnesses occur less frequently in the U.S.

Mold Exposures After Flooding

Mold can flourish after a building is flooded. This often happens in hidden places, such as under carpet and inside drywall. Even unseen mold can have a negative effect on your health.

According to the CDC, mold can cause a stuffy nose, a sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes, and a skin rash. People who are allergic to mold or have asthma may have more serious reaction. People who are immunocompromised or have chronic lung disease may develop infections in their lungs.

Homeowners insurance excludes flood damage, including mold caused by flooding. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies provide coverage for flood damage, but they don’t usually cover mold. Therefore, homeowners must be proactive about taking steps to prevent mold after a flood.

Staying Safe After a Flood

The following steps will help you and your family stay healthy and safe after a flood.

• After the flood recedes, clean up. The Connecticut State Department of Health provides comprehensive information that can be used by anyone in any state. These include wearing protective goggles, gloves, and boots. You should clean both indoor and outdoor surfaces that were exposed to floodwaters and dispose of soft items like cushions. Do not let children play in outdoor areas until the area has had time to dry completely and has been exposed to sunlight to kill germs.
• Dry out your home thoroughly as soon as possible. You should do this within 48 to 72 hours, according to the CDC. The CDC also says to keep wet areas well-ventilated and to discard any wet materials you can’t repair. If you see or smell mold, use a solution of one cup of bleach per one gallon of water as a disinfectant.
• Be careful not to expose open wounds to floodwaters. If exposure occurs, UCLA Health says you should wash the wound immediately and apply antibacterial ointment.
• Avoid eating food that has been exposed to floodwaters. The Connecticut State Department of Health warns that garden vegetables exposed to floodwaters may be contaminated.
• Make sure your water is safe. Check with local authorities for guidance. The USDA says you should drink bottled water if it’s available. If you don’t have bottled water, boil your water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through a clean cloth or let it settle first.

These tips will help you address health and safety challenges in the aftermath of a flood. However, you may also need insurance to help you rebuild. Do you have the coverage you need? Find an agent.