Hurricane Preparedness

Flooding

Of all the threats posed by a hurricane, flooding is associated with the greatest amount of deaths, therefore it is wise to make preparations if there is a chance of flooding in your area.

Another potentially serious threat from flooding is the contamination of the municipal water supply and  private wells. You should never assume that water in  a hurricane effected area is safe to drink, and should always  follow proper emergency disinfection procedures. These include boiling, distillation, and chemical treatment through the use of chlorine bleach or iodine. Having an ample supply of clean drinking water is a top priority in an emergency.

As a last resort there are many hidden sources of clean water to use in an emergency. Some of these would include the unused water in your pipes, and your hot water heater if you have disconnected the gas or electricity. For more information consult The Federal Emergency Management Agency web page on "Food and Water Safety in an Emergency." 

If you have a private well, it will require disinfection with chlorine. Please refer to the Rhode Island Department of Health Well Disinfection Procedure, for advice.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also has valuable information on its Hurricanes and Your Health and Safety web page for ensuring the safety of your water, and procedures on how to disinfect it, as well as procedures to follow under a power outage, and advice for personal sanitation and hygiene.

Other Environmental Health Effects From Flooding

You cannot afford to be lax after the flooding is over, guard against infection, and be wary of potential dangers which exist inside your home, as well as outdoors as well. Unfortunately after a flood, or other emergency, the tendency is to relax. This is the time when you must be the most cautious.

If your home has been flooded, caution should be exercised because gas pilot lights may have been extinguished and gas could have accumulated in the basement. Avoid any downed power lines, and try to avoid touching any wet surfaces that may be in contact with electrical wires.

Floods disrupt normal drainage systems in cities and typically overwhelm sewer systems. Thus, raw or partially raw sewage spills are common in a flooded area.

If there has been flooding in your area, you need to take precautions to remove carpet, or any upholstered furniture, or stuffed animals which may have come in contact with potentially disease carrying floodwaters.

Please see The Rhode Island Department of Health's suggestions for addressing flood issues which affect your home and its contents.