Environmental Health - Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

Environmental Health

Floods

Do you have a private well? A well is considered flooded if at anytime the top of the well was submerged under standing water or running flood water or run-off. Read these procedures: Well Water Well resources

Preventing Disease (Adobe Acrobat required)

Flood Clean up information

Flood Emergency Guide (Adobe Acrobat required)

Mold information http://www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/common/pdf/mold_facts.pdf (Adobe Acrobat required)

Iowa State University Extension website http://www.extension.iastate.edu/DisasterRecovery/flood.htm

Center for Disease Control and Prevention website http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

Flood Information

During times of flooding, officials with the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health caution residents to follow safety procedures.

Flood waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial byproducts. Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is some risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood water.

If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to flood water, keep them as clean as possible by washing well with soap to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. In addition, parents need to help children avoid waterborne illness. Do not allow children to play in flood water areas.
It is critical to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and safe water: before preparing or eating food; after participating in flood cleanup activities; and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.
Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Food may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water.
Water pumped from wells that have been submerged by floodwater should be disinfected before being used for drinking, food preparation and other domestic needs, Be cautious when working in a well or well pit. Dangerous gases and a shortage of oxygen can occur in some instances, particularly if proper ventilation is not supplied. After the well is cleaned and disinfected, a water sample should be tested for coliform bacteria to ensure that the disinfection was thorough and the water is safe to drink.
NEVER turn power on or off while standing in water. If you must enter standing water to access the main power switch, then call an electrician to turn it off for you.

Clean-up kits are available: If your home has experienced flooding, please be aware that mold and sewage residue can cause health risks for you and your family. The American Red Cross (641) 424-2454 and Salvation Army (641) 424-4031 are providing clean up kits to help residents keep their homes safe. You may call either of these two agencies to obtain a kit.

Restaurants and other food service operations affected by flood water should cease operation and contact their inspection agency to determine what action is needed to re-open.

The following websites contain more detailed information.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/DisasterRecovery/flood.htm