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Massachusetts Department of Public Health-Storm Fact Sheet
Flooding
If a person must come into contact with the floodwater they should take the following general precautions:
- Keep all children and pets out of the floodwater.
- Check in on elderly or chronically ill neighbors to make sure that they are safe.
- Wear waterproof boots, gloves, eye protection and clothes that are either water resistant or disposable.
- Make sure all gas and electric utilities to the affected area are turned off by appropriate persons before you enter.
- Keep contact time with flood waters to a minimum and avoid splashing. It is especially important to keep the water out of mouth, eyes and nose.
- If there has been personal exposure to the flood waters, bathe or shower thoroughly with soap and water and wash all contaminated clothing in hot water and a detergent.
- Make sure tetanus immunization is up to date for any person who is exposed to flood waters. For most adults, having received a tetanus booster within the past 10 years is adequate. For children, parents should check with their pediatrician to make sure the tetanus vaccination is up to date.
- Health care providers should be contacted if an individual becomes ill with fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea after exposure to possibly contaminated flood waters
Power Failure/Food Safety
Heavy rain can mean a disruption in electrical and gas service and the availability of potable water. When power goes off in the refrigerator, you can normally expect food inside to stay safely cold for 4 to 6 hours, depending on how warm your kitchen is. Here are some additional guidelines:
- Add a block of ice to the refrigerator if the electricity is off longer than 4-6 hours. As this ice melts, the water may saturate food packages. Keep packages out of the water as it drains.
- High protein foods (dairy products, meat, fish, and poultry) should be consumed as soon as possible if power is not restored immediately. They cannot be stored safely at room temperature.
- Fruits and vegetables can be kept safely at room temperature until there are obvious signs of spoilage.
- A fully stocked freezer will keep food frozen 2 days if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer can keep foods frozen about one day.
- If you are purchasing perishable foods from a market in an area that has been affected by power outages, make sure that the cold foods have been kept below 45 degrees F. and that hot foods have been kept above 140 degrees F.
Generally, do not eat any food that has come in contact with floodwater, especially root and garden vegetables. Citrus fruits should be washed well, sanitized in a chlorine solution and peeled before eating. Apples and other fruits should also be cooked before eating. Carefully examine all canned and bottled goods, these are usually not affected but should be washed thoroughly with approved drinking water and a mild disinfecting solution and rinsed prior to opening and use. Canned or powdered milk may be substituted for fresh milk
Injury Prevention
- Hazards of floods continue to exist after the water recedes as workers, volunteers and homeowners begin to clean up. There are many hazards besides drowning which may cause serious injury. Some basic cautions should be taken as follows.
- Electrical hazards: When entering flooded areas, be aware of electrical hazards. Don’t touch any electrical equipment unless you are absolutely sure it is properly grounded or that the power is off. Also, don’t operate any electrical equipment that is not specifically designed for use in wet locations. The water in which you are standing will provide a path for the electricity if you touch any equipment that is not properly grounded. That path will go through you too.
- Never handle a downed power line. If clearing or other work must be performed near a downed power line, contact the utility company. Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact.
- Carbon Monoxide:Flood cleanup activities may involve the use of gasoline- or diesel-powered pumps, generators, and pressure washers. Because these devices release carbon monoxide, a deadly, colorless, odorless gas, operate all gasoline-powered devices outdoors and never bring them indoors.
- Back Injuries: Get help to move heavy objects. Working on slippery surfaces can also cause injuries. Make sure you have a firm footing before lifting. Make sure you have a clear path for carrying heavy objects.
- Heavy Equipment: Never operate equipment that you have not been adequately trained to use. When crews are working around heavy equipment, site control is critical. During an emergency, people will not pay attention to back-up alarms. Do not work around heavy equipment unless it is absolutely necessary. Have as few pedestrians in the area as possible.
- Structural Instability: Never assume that water-damaged structures or ground are stable. Soil is also easily destabilized in wet conditions and may collapse without warning.
- Additional questions about proper disinfection procedures and other potential health problems related to the storm can be directed to the local Board of Health in each city or town
Wells
The Westford Board of Health has the following recommendations for Private Wells Inundated by Flooding:
1. Introduction
If you live in an area that was recently or is currently flooded, your private well may be in danger of contamination from pollutants carried in floodwaters. If your well cap is or has been underwater, you should assume that your well is contaminated.
2. Boiling Your Water
If you suspect your drinking water is contaminated, you should obtain water from a known safe source for drinking, cooking and food preparation. You can get water from a neighbor's well you know is safe, from a community water supply or you can purchase bottled water. If you cannot find a convenient source of safe water, you can boil your well water for five minutes before use.
If you have any questions about your well or water quality, please call the Board of Health at 978 692 5509 or the MassDEP Drinking Water Program at 617-292-5770 during business hours. Thank you. |
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Flooding and Sewage Back-ups: Home Care Guide
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If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Westford Health Department at 978-692-5509.
Thank you,
Rae Dick
Health Agent
Westford Health Department
978-692-5509
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