Downstream Effects of Flooding

Hurricanes Helene and Milton dropped huge amounts of water, causing massive flooding. Besides the obvious issues associated with floods, there are threats that may linger or add to the suffering felt by those in the affected areas. Let’s look at some of those hazards after you test your preconceived notions regarding the subject. Choose “Yes”, “No”, or “I’m unsure” for the following four questions.

1. Flood prone areas are the only places where devastation from rising waters occur.

2. Flooded areas are safe to wade through once the storm has passed.

3. Swift water under a calm surface can exist.

4. Floating dead animals or victims are the major sources of disease that pollutes flooded areas.

5. 
   

Answers:

1. No. Flooding can occur anywhere1.

2. No. Bacteria, dangerous (live) animals, electrical power, and submerged debris are examples of things that can harm you2.

3. Yes. Even if the water appears calm, there may be swift water below the surface. Water is surprisingly strong and can sweep you away unexpectedly3.

4. No. Unless the floating dead had a very contagious disease at the time it passed away, the body does not excrete pathogens4.

5. 
   

Perhaps you knew all the correct answers, or perhaps you were surprised by them. In either case, these may be the most common threats that cross peoples’ minds. However, there are other dangerous health downstream risks caused by flooding that people might not consider5.

To be sure, sewage with harmful bacteria and other naturally occurring bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus6 can be major concerns from the beginning. Health departments and other agencies likely will warn residents to boil water. However, what about after boiling measures are lifted? Lingering bacteria may bring very unwelcome issues. For example, Haiti never had an outbreak of Cholera before diseased responders to a major earthquake introduced the bacterium into the environment.

Mold can be a formidable health risk, particularly in hot and humid locations. After flooding, moisture that cannot dry out quickly or even completely, introduces ideal conditions for spores to bloom. Those with conditions like allergies or compromised immune systems might be compromised by toxic fungi like black or green mold. Even those in good health might develop lung issues.

Finally, there is the very high potential explosion of mosquito population(s). As you know, mosquitoes are the deadliest creatures on earth because they transmit many diseases. Always protect yourself from these flying menaces. Encourage communities to be proactive. Strategies to quell the insects can be used throughout any community but are exceptionally needed in post flood disasters. (See previous posts regarding mosquitoes Topics #94, #95, and #100.)

Be safe and well.

Here is a link to another article related to today’s topic that may interest you: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/10/10/hurricane-milton-floodwater-florida/75612511007/.

1

https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/floods/#:~:text=Flooding%20occurs%20in%20every%20U.S.,high%20risk%20for%20flash%20floods

2

https://www.vaemergency.gov/threats/floods#:~:text=Avoid%20wading%20in%20floodwater%2C%20which,also%20electrically%20charge%20the%20water

3

https://www.nps.gov/articles/river-and-stream-safety.htm#:~:text=Water%20moving%20in%20a%20river,and%20overestimate%20your%20swimming%20abilities

4

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/1/06-0779_article#:~:text=The%20sudden%20presence%20of%20large,to%20healthcare%20services%20(8)

5

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-12/hurricane-milton-s-floodwaters-hide-a-dirty-secret-sewage?utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=bd&utm_source=applenews

6

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/10/22/flesh-eating-bacteria-cases-hurricanes-florida/75784065007/