Health department issues safety guidance for flood clean-up
EVERETT — The Snohomish County Health Department is encouraging residents who are returning home after this week’s historic flooding to follow health and safety guidelines.
Floodwater can contain hazards that pose long-term safety and health risks, including sewage, chemicals and mold, the department said in a press release Tuesday.
“We urge residents to take precautions and protect their health as they repair their properties,” said Kim Van Pelt, director of the Snohomish County Health Department, in the release. “Safe cleanup today prevents serious health problems in the future.”
Before entering their property, residents should look for structural damage, gas leaks and downed power lines. Residents should turn off gas and electricity or propane and notify the gas company, police or fire department if they suspect a leak.
https://www.heraldnet.com/news/health-department-issues-safety-guidance-for-flood-clean-up/
= new reply since forum marked as read
SO true!
Back in 2022 when the Yellowstone River flooded for over 280 miles it carried a lot of waste materials and redistributed it all along the way. My storage unit at the time was a little over 2 miles from the river and was flooded with 4 inches of water. I am glad I had everything up off the floor or in rubbermaid tubs so I didn't lose anything. But I could never get the silt up off the concrete. I am still cleaning it off of some of the tubs, now that I have moved and am unpacking them. The dust is so fine. I didn't wear gloves at first but after having micron sized things embedding into my hands early on, I now wear gloves when dealing with the items that either were tubs on the floor or boxes that have the dust settled on them. I wear a face mask when doing anything with them indoors. It doesn't come off easily either.
Any wood that may look like good driftwood is also permeated with silt and whatever contaminants and it won't burn so it isn't even useful as firewood.
I am glad the state is making clear to everyone that anything that was 'washed' over by the floodwater is contaminated, everything.
