Standing water from storms can carry hidden risks
The dangers caused by flooding do not end when the water begins to recede. Floodwaters can carry a myriad of hidden dangers. Residents should avoid walking in standing water, even water that may only be inches deep, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Just 6 inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet if moving swiftly, and possibly lead to drowning, even if you're a good swimmer. Children as especially vulnerable.
Downed power lines are another hidden danger that must be avoided. Industry experts say the best rule is to assume that all downed power lines are "live."
In addition, stay out of floodwater to prevent injury and infection from other hazards and contamination. Floodwater can contain a variety of hazards that pose health and safety risks, including sharp objects, sewage, bacteria, chemicals, diseased insects, and animals, according to FEMA.
Coastal storms, in particular, can cause the release of untreated sewage through direct damage and flooding of treatment facilities, power outages, or sewage overflows caused when heavy rains overwhelm collection systems, causing the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers, FEMA says.
Exposure to sewage-contaminated floodwaters and wastewater may lead to illness, including gastrointestinal, skin, and acute respiratory infections, and insect bites. There may also be a risk of increases in mosquito-borne diseases after heavy rains.