After the Hurricane

In the aftermath of a tropical storm or hurricane, your safety is a high priority. Although you may be ready to return home to check on your belongings and pets, you should wait until emergency management gives you permission to do so. Once you return, you will have several tasks that will need completed in order to ensure your family’s safety.

 

Home Damage

When returning home from a hurricane evacuation, enter with extreme caution. You never know what kind of damage that you may find that could cause injury. Follow these steps to ensure a safe and speedy recovery from the storm:

· Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood water
· Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home
· Check to see if water is contaminated. Read Water Safety section below
· Check to see if food is safe to eat. Read Food Safety section below
· Review your Household Inventory to make sure that all valuables remain safe and make a list of those suffering damage
· Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims
· Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you.
· Make temporary repairs. Keep all receipts for work done on your property. Most insurance companies cover reasonable expenses.
· Do not be rushed into signing repair contracts. Deal with reputable contractors. If you are unsure about a contractor's credentials, contact your claims adjuster, Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for referrals. Make sure the contractor you hire is experienced in repair work - not just new construction. Be sure of payment terms and consult your agent or adjuster before you sign any contracts.

Water Safety

Before drinking water after a hurricane, check to make sure it is safe for you and your family. The tips listed below could help save your life.

Public utility water
· If you are connected to a public water system that is maintaining full pressure and the water does not appear cloudy or dirty, chances are that the water is safe. Cloudy or dirty water could be a sign that the water line has broken somewhere between the supply and your house. If pressure drops but the water still flows and appears normal, it should still be safe.
· Water that has stopped flowing should be considered unfit to drink, including interruptions for as little as a few seconds. If water pressure is lost, dirt can flow backwards into the system from open spigots such as garden hoses.

Private well water
· Well water is unsafe to drink in all of the following circumstances: surface water inundation of a water supply well has occurred, the water has a foul odor and/or the water looks cloudy or dirty.
· Play it safe if you have a concern about your water quality. Drink only bottled water or water that you know has been properly treated.

Water treatment
· If you suspect that your household water is contaminated, you can make it safe by boiling. Filter out any particles and bring the water to a full boil for at least one minute. After cooling, this water is safe for drinking, cooking and bathing.
· When boiling is not possible, treat the water with unscented household chlorine bleach. Filter out any particles and add six drops of bleach per gallon of water. You can dispense the drops using an eyedropper or a bleach-soaked cotton ball. Shake thoroughly after mixing and let it stand for 30 minutes before drinking.

Water testing
Call your county health department for water testing if you believe that your water may be contaminated.

Septic systems
If you utilize a septic system and your property floods, do not use your septic system until the water recedes.

Food Safety

Power outages can endanger your food supply. Dispose of any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.

Your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about four hours without power if it is unopened. Foods can usually be eaten or refrozen if they are still refrigerator cold or if they still contain ice crystals. Use the refrigerator foods first because they will spoil before the freezer foods. Do not eat foods that have an unusual odor, color or texture.

Displacement Hazards

Downed power lines are one of the most dangerous after effects of a natural disaster. Never attempt to touch a power line even if the power is off in the area.

Another dangerous after effect of a natural disaster is displacement of wild and domestic animals. Avoid contact with stray, injured or aggressive animals and report them to the local animal control agency.

Water Activity

In the aftermath of a natural disaster, Florida residents may have to refrain from the exciting activities that make living on the Emerald Coast fun in order to stay safe. Some tips to keep in mind as you make plans for the weekend following the hurricane are:

· Do not swim in inland waters for at least one week after a tropical storm or hurricane. Bacterial contamination of our waters commonly occurs because of rain and sewage overflow. Sewage contamination of waters can expose bathers to intestinal viruses, bacteria and parasites.
· Do not swim in offshore and ocean waters if they appear dirty after the storm. While these waters are less likely to be contaminated by bacteria, they may be dangerous due to strong rip tides, currents and wave action. Sharp metal or glass debris may be present in shallow waters after a storm.
· Refrain from boating for the immediate days following a tropical storm or hurricane. Navigation tools that exist in waters may not be visible due to storm damage.

Cleanup Activity

Cleanup following a natural disaster can be strenuous and dangerous. Here are some safety tips to keep you from becoming a post-disaster casualty:

· Drink plenty of water and take lots of rest breaks if you are working outside in the heat. Drink at least one quart of water per hour while doing heavy work, even if you are not thirsty. Keep in mind the best time for outdoors work is early morning or late evening – the coolest times of the day.
· People taking medication should be especially careful of working in the heat because some medicines interfere with the body's cooling system. Know the restrictions of your medications or consult your physician before engaging in strenuous outdoor work.
· Safety equipment such as sturdy shoes, goggles and hard hats are recommended for use during cleanup activities to protect against broken glass and other dangerous debris.

Source: information provided by the Walton County Health Department and Federal Emergency Management Agency

 

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