Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):  Septic Systems and Flooding Events (CLICK FOR LINK)

​

• ​​ Flood waters can make foods in your home unsafe to eat and can affect your drinking water if you are connected to a private well. Drink only bottled water until public water or your private well has been determined safe. Have bottled water ready and keep nonperishable items out of areas that could be impacted by flood waters. If food packaging looks damaged or food smells bad, when in doubt, throw it out. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.html

​

• ​Cleaning up after a flood can pose health risks. You and your family should wait to re-enter your home until professionals tell you it is safe, with no structural, electrical or other hazards. Before you start cleanup activities, contact your insurance company and take pictures of the home and your belongings. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/after.html

​

•  Flood water may have carried sewage or chemicals into your home. This could expose you or your family to viruses, bacteria, disease carriers (such as mosquitos), and parasites, as well as mold. To learn more about cleaning and disinfection after a flood go to: www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/flood/standing.html. (infographic flood)

​

• Be ready for a flood! Unplug appliances to prevent electrical shock when the power comes back on. Turn off gas, power, and water when power lines are down, water is in your home, or before you evacuate. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/readiness.htm    ​

​

• Practice safe hygiene for flood cleanup after returning to your home. Wear rubber boots and plastic gloves and disinfect walls, hard floors, and other surfaces with a mixture of 1 cup bleach and 1 gallon water. Use caution --flood water may contain trash. (infographic floods)

​

• Help your children prepare for and recover from disasters. Keep children and pets away from debris, do not allow children to play in moving or standing water, keep children away from dead or stray animals, and disinfect toys with diluted bleach. You may not be able to kill germs on some toys — like stuffed animals and baby toys. Throw out toys you can’t clean.https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/kids_cleanup_safety.html (kids cleanup safety infographic)

​

• Don’t drive in flooded areas — turn around, don’t drown! Floodwater can pose a drowning risk for everyone— regardless of their ability to swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly, and even shallow standing water can be dangerous for small children. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/floodsafety.html (national weather service)