Tips to stay safe & healthy if Fred brings flooding to your community - ABC7 News

NAPLES, Fla. — Heavy rainfall is expected in Southwest Florida this weekend as Tropical Depression Fred continues moving towards our region.

Fred has the potential to be a decent rainmaker for the area through the weekend. Rainfall totals of 3-5 inches are possible through Monday.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you encounter flooding:

USE CAUTION WHEN DRIVING

During flooding events, moving water creates a dangerous situation. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. Avoid driving in moving water, no matter how large your vehicle is.

Stagnant floodwaters that pool in neighborhoods and on roadways can make it hard to determine how deep the water is. As roads become obscured, drivers can unknowingly steer into a deep body of water, like a canal or pond. Remember: Don’t drown, turn around.

BE AWARE OF ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

Some powerlines may fall as Fred passes through SWFL. Be aware that electricity can be conducted through water and could send a deadly shock to anyone coming in contact with it.

FLOODWATER IS DIRTY & CAN MAKE YOU SICK

Don’t let kids play in floodwater as it could be contaminated with bacteria or germs that can make them sick. Critters like snakes or floating insects are also a threat.

If you come in contact with floodwater, it’s recommended that you thoroughly rinse any exposed body parts with soap and clean water.

WHAT TO DO IF DRINKING WATER SUPPLY IS CONTAMINATED

Keep tabs on the safety of the local water supply. Contaminated drinking water could make you sick.

Boil water notices are usually issued when water main pressure drops below 20 psi. If your area is placed under a boil water notice, boil tap water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth, and washing dishes for one minute or use bottled water.

WHAT TO DO IF FLOODWATER TOUCHES FOOD

Throw away any food that may have come in contact with floodwater. Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the labels thoroughly, wash the cans, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting of 1/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water for clean surfaces.

Food containers with screw caps, snap lids, and home-canned foods should be discarded if they have come in contact with floodwater because they cannot be disinfected.

HOW TO CLEAN CONTAMINATED ITEMS

Throw away wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers that have been in contact with floodwater. There’s no way to safely clean them.

Metal pans, ceramic dishes, and utensils can be saved if they’re cleaned with soap and hot water and then sanitized. You can sanitize dinnerware by boiling items in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup of household bleach per gallon of water.

HYGIENE

It’s important to keep up with basic hygiene during emergency events. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water that has been boiled (and cooled) or disinfected.

Click here to go to ABC7’s Hurricane Tracker.

The StormWarn7 weather app is now available for both Apple and Android devices. Download the iPhone/iPad version here, and the Android version here.

Adblock test (Why?)

Article From & Read More ( Tips to stay safe & healthy if Fred brings flooding to your community - ABC7 News )
https://ift.tt/3m28iJk