Severe Weather in Virginia: Staying Healthy in the Aftermath

In the wake of recent severe weather in Virginia, potentially dangerous conditions exist in many areas. The Virginia Department of Health advises people to be aware of hazardous situations that may endanger public health. Drinking water, food safety, injury prevention and exhaust and fatigue are just some of the health concerns following a severe weather event. Learn more on how to minimize the risk of injury and disease resulting from severe weather.

Drinking Water

• Flood waters contain disease causing microorganisms. If water treatment plants are affected by flood waters, residents should heed instructions from local authorities to boil their water before drinking it and for use in preparing meals. People should not use any ice that is made with potentially contaminated water. Restoring water service could take some time in some areas.
• Residents who are placed under a boil water notice should boil water at a rolling boil for one minute. This will kill any disease-causing microorganisms present in the water. The “flat” taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and forth from one clean container into another (aeration), by allowing it to stand for a few hours, or by adding a pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled. Drinking bottled water is also an option for people whose water is contaminated.
• If you can’t boil water, add 6 drops of recently purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per gallon of clear water (double the number of drops for cloudy water), stir it well, and then let the water stand for 30 minutes before you use it. You also can use water-purifying tablets from your local pharmacy or sporting goods store. Note that using bleach or tablets may not kill some disease causing microorganisms.
• People with compromised immune systems, including those who are on chemotherapy or are HIV positive, and living in the affected areas should be extremely cautious and consume only commercial bottled water.
• In the event of flooding near a private well, assume that the well water is contaminated until it can be tested for safety.

Food Safety

• Residents are advised to wash their hands after handling food to protect themselves and others from spreading food-borne illnesses.
• Perishable foods including meats, dairy products, and eggs that haven’t been refrigerated for more than two hours should be discarded because they are no longer safe to consume.
• Foods that have been contaminated by flooding should also be discarded.
• Be particularly careful to thoroughly disinfect surfaces that may come in contact with food, such as counter tops, pantry shelves, pots and pans, dishes and inside refrigerators, etc.
• In the event of a power outage, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. Each time the door is opened, a significant amount of refrigeration is lost.
• The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.)
• If your power comes back on after food in your freezer has already begun to thaw, use an appliance thermometer to check the temperature in your freezer. Food stored in the freezer at 40 °F or below is safe and may be refrozen. If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine the safety. Remember you can’t rely on appearance or odor. If the food still contains ice crystals or is 40 °F or below, it is safe to refreeze.
• Health department personnel will assist restaurants that may have been flooded so they can reopen as soon as possible.

Prevent Injury

• Rescue workers and citizens working on clean up are at risk for cuts and puncture wounds. Washing out cuts with soap and water is the first priority. Wounds should receive tetanus evaluation.
• Use caution or seek professional assistance when removing fallen trees, cleaning up debris or using equipment, such as chain saws.
• Wear eye goggles while removing or cleaning up debris to prevent eye injuries.
• Whenever possible, use teams of two or more to move bulky objects.
• Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).
• Avoid manual lifting of heavy debris and building materials to prevent back injuries.

Candle Safety

• Use a flashlight instead of a candle whenever possible.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire such as clothing, books, curtains, or flammable liquids.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily and are made from a material that can’t burn.
• Keep candles out of reach of children.
• Try to avoid carrying a lit candle.
• NEVER use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide

• Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous to breathe.
• During flood cleanup, operate all gasoline-powered devices such as pumps, generators, and pressure washers outdoors and NEVER bring them indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide build-up in the home. 
• Always position generators outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, porches, vents and air-conditioning equipment that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• Install battery-operated carbon monoxide and smoke detectors or plug-in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
• If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away.  Do not delay.
• If you have a poisoning emergency, call the national Poison Information Center number at (800) 222-1222.  If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.

Mosquito-borne Disease Prevention

• Protect against mosquito bites by wearing long, loose and light-colored clothing.
• Use insect repellant with the smallest percentage of DEET necessary for the length of time you are exposed to mosquitoes, but no more than 50 percent for adults and 30 percent for children under 12.
• Turn over or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as toys, plant trays and buckets.

Beware of Electrical Hazards

• If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
• Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain that the power is off. NEVER handle a downed power line.
• Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact.
• Avoid moving trees or branches tangled up in power lines.

Reduce Risk of Heat Exhaustion & Fatigue-Related Injuries

• Reduce heat-related risks, drink a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and work during the cooler hours of the day.
• Avoid physical exhaustion, and resume a normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible.
• Be alert to emotional exhaustion or strain and consult family members, friends, or professionals for emotional support.

Animal Safety

• Human lives are not the only ones disrupted after severe weather. Domestic and wild animals may be lost, disoriented or injured.
• If you encounter a lost or stray animal don’t put yourself at risk of being bitten. Contact your local animal control agency or emergency veterinarian about injured or lost domesticated animals.
• Wild animals may be disoriented, injured or orphaned after severe weather. Be extremely cautions when encountering wild animals. If you encounter a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator or the Wildlife Center of Virginia for assistance and guidance.
• Animal carcasses should be disposed of as soon as possible to avoid creating a health hazard to other animals or humans. Contact your local animal control department for specific disposal guidance.

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