San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow warned residents Sunday that floodwaters pose health and safety risks for those returning to flooded areas in San Mateo. In response, officials have issued some recommendations for those returning to those areas.
"Flood water can contain all sorts of hazardous materials and it's obviously best to avoid any contact with water," Dr. Morrow said.
She also warned that “raw sewage, animal waste, toxic substances, chemicals, fungi, bacteria – things you would rather avoid – can be in the water and you should take precautions to prevent illness or injury.”
Among the guidelines the county health officer has issued are:
- Wear boots and gloves when working in flooded areas.
- Make sure the main electrical switch is off before entering a flooded structure. Do not turn it back on until you are sure there has been no damage to any wires or appliances connected to the electrical system.
- If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, call 911. Then call PG&E at (800) 743-5000. Warn your neighbors of the potential problem.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. If you have children who have been in contact with water, make sure they wash their hands too.
- Keep children and pets away from floodwaters and avoid outdoor areas that have recently flooded. Remove shoes and wipe paws before returning indoors.
- If you have open wounds or sores, protect them from water. Keep them clean by washing them with soap and applying antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If a wound becomes red, swollen, or oozing, seek medical attention immediately.
- If you swallow flood water, you should see a doctor immediately because of the risk of hepatitis A infection. “While the hepatitis A virus will not pass through the skin, it does pose a threat to those who consume flood water. Your doctor will determine if you should receive an immune globulin injection to prevent infection,” Morrow said.
- If you are unsure of the quality of your drinking water, use bottled water. Check with your local water provider for any boil water orders. If you have a domestic well, it may require disinfection if it was affected by flooding. See guidelines here: smchealth.org/welluse.
- Do not allow children to play with toys that have been in contact with flood water until the toys have been disinfected. You can disinfect toys with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach in one gallon of water.
- For general surface disinfection, use a cloth soaked with 1 tablespoon of bleach in one gallon of water.
- If the power was out, throw away all discolored or odorous foods, especially meat, poultry and fish in the refrigerator. Frozen foods can last 48 to 72 hours if the freezer is full and the door remains closed. When in doubt, throw it away.
- Contact your local sewer authority if you see solid waste coming from your sewage.
- Contact your insurance company for additional guidance if your home suffered water damage.
- See more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on flood recovery: www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html.
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