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Flood Safety

There are a lot of things to consider if you or your home have been affected by floodwater. Floodwater and standing waters can be dangerous and can make you vulnerable to infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. Protect yourself and your loved ones from the risks brought by floodwater.

Flood Safety Guide. Floods can be extremely dangerous. Keep your family safe by being prepared. BEFORE: Build an emergency kit that contains some essential items like drinking water, non-perishable food, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, and medicines. A guide for a full kit can be found at https://www.ready.gov/kit. Listen to the radio and/or TV for local weather and emergency information. Develop a family communications plan to make sure that you are able to stay connected with your family. A template can be found at https://www.ready.gov/plan. DURING: Turn off your utilities at the main switches. Don't touch any electrical devices if you are wet or standing in water. Pay close attention to flash flood warnings. If there's any risk of a flash flood where you are, head IMMEDIATELY to higher ground, DON'T WAIT! Septic Systems may fail during flooding events. Minimize suage during those periods to avoid sewage backups. Don't walk through moving water. Moving water only a few inches deep can knock you down and cause injuries. Only use water that is boiled or bottled until your your water supply has been tested and found safe. Boiling water at a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms. AFTER: Do not eat any food that may have come in contact with flood water, has been at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or has unusual odor, color, or smell. When in doubt, throw it out! Avoid contact with flood waters as much as possible. They may be contaminated by raw sewage, gasoline, oil, or chemicals. DO NOT allow children to play in flood water. Flooded areas of your home should be sanitized and dried as soon as possible to prevent mold growth. Watch for sharp items hidden under flood waters, and if cut, cleanse the wound immediately. A tetanus shot may be recommended by your health care provider. Wear protective clothing like gloves, boots, and long sleeves when cleaning up after the flood. Disinfect then test your private water wells prior to use. For more information, call 661-321-3000.

Guia de Seguridad Contra Inundaciones. Las inundaciones pueden ser extremadamente peligrosas. Mantenga a su familia a salvo estando preparados. ANTES: Crea un kit de emergencia que contiene articulos esenciales como agua potable, alimentos no perecederos, un radio de bateria, una linterna, y medicamentos. Puede encontrar una guia para un kit completo en https://www.ready.gov/es/kit. Desarrolle un plan de comunicacion para asegurarque usted pueda mantenerse conectado a su familia. Una planitlla puede ser encontrado en https://www.ready.gov/es/haga-un-plan. Escuche a la radio y/o la television para informacion de emergencia. DURANTE: Apague sus servicios publicos en los interruptores principales. Si esta mojado o parado en el agua, no toque ningun dispositivo electrico. Preste mucha atencion a las advertencias de inundaciones repentinas. Si hay algun riesgo de inundacion repentina donde se encuentra, dirijase inmediamente a un terreno mas elevado. NO ESPERE! Los sistemas septicos pueden fallar durante las inundaciones. Minimice el uso durante estos periodos para evitar la acumulacion de aguas residuales. No camine a traves de agua en movimiento. El agua en movimiento de solo unas pulgadas de profundidad puede derribarlo y causarle lesiones. Solo use agua hervida o agua embotellada hasta que el suministro de agua haya sido analizado y se haya determinado que es segura. Hirviendo el agua a punto de ebullicion durante 1 minuto matara a la mayoria de los organismos. DESPUES: No coma ningun alimento que pueda haber estado a temperatura estado en contacto con el agua de la inundacion o que haya estado a temperatura ambiente por mas de 2 horas, o que tenga un olor, color, u olor inusual. En caso de duda, tirarlo! Evite el contacto con las aguas de inundacion lo mas posible. pueden estar contaminados por aguas residuales sin tratar, gasolina, aceite o quimicos. No permita que los ninos jueguen en el agua de la inundacion. Las areas inundadas de su hogar deben ser desinfectadas y secadas lo mas pronto posible para prevenir el crecimiento de moho. Este atento a objetos afilados escondidos bajo las aguas de inundacion, y si se corta, lempie la lesion inmediatamente. Su proveedor medico puede recomendarle una vacuna contra el tetanos. Use ropa protectora como guantes, botas, y mangas largas cuando limpie despues de la inundacion. Desinfecte y luego pruebe sus pozos de agua privados antes de usarios. Para mas informacion, llame 661-321-3000.

Resources

Disinfection Procedure for Contaminated Wells (English and Spanish)
Residential Water Systems and Flooding (English|Spanish)
Reopening Public Swimming Pools and Spas After Flooding
Food Facilities and Flooding (English|Spanish)
Food Facilities and Flooding: Problems and Solutions (English|Spanish)
Hotels/Motels and Flooding
Reopening Body Art Facilities After Flooding
CUPA Facilities and Flooding
Medical Waste Facilities and Flooding
Septic Systems and Flooding (English|Spanish)