Drowning isn’t only the only threat from Hurricane Ian floodwaters

Orlando Sentinel - 9/29/2022

As Hurricane Ian passed through Central Florida, flooding forced residents to flee their homes or seek refuge on higher floors.

As Floridians wade through water to evacuate, assess damages or gather their belongings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions that even more dangers are hidden in the murky depths.

“Floodwaters contain many things that may harm health. We don’t know exactly what is in floodwater at any given point in time,” CDC officials say.

First and foremost — do not attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters, officials warn.

“Cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water,” CDC officials state on the organization’s website.

Electrocution is a concern as well: never touch a fallen power line or wade in water with fallen power lines, the CDC’s website advises.

The water can also include contaminants such as human or animal waste, chemical waste, or coal ash waste.

Any food in contact with flood water should not be eaten because it is at risk of causing diarrheal disease, the CDC says.

These waters may also contain sharp objects that can cause cuts. Any open wounds exposed to floodwater can become infected with bacteria that can cause skin infections. If skin is punctured or a wound is contaminated with feces, soil or saliva, a health professional needs to assess it to determine if a tetanus shot is necessary, the CDC adds.

Anyone who needs to enter floodwater should wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles, CDC officials say.

People with open wounds should avoid being exposed to floodwater, but if it’s a necessity, they should cover the cut with waterproof bandages and wash it with soap and water.

Medical attention is needed if there’s anything such as soil, wood or metal inside the cut, or the wound begins to ooze, swell or get red, CDC officials say.

Florida Department of Health - Orange spokesperson Kent Donahue noted that displaced animals are also a threat, particularly snakes.

“Be aware of snakes that may be swimming in the water to get to higher ground and those that may be hiding under debris or other objects,” Donahue wrote in an email.

A snake bite might not be felt when walking in high water.

Signs include a pair of puncture marks, redness, swelling, or severe pain around the bite. Numbness, tingling, nausea, vomiting, sweating, or trouble breathing may also occur.

Donahue advised that if bit, people should not try to suck out the venom. Instead, call 911 or local Emergency Medical Services.

ccatherman@orlandosentinel.com; @CECatherman on Twitter