First Responders and Floodwaters

10/22/2020 (Permalink)

If you know anyone who's a first responder in Oklahoma City, OK, you have first-hand understanding of the major risks they take in disaster response and recovery. Lives are often at stake — including their own.
One critical responsibility is flood response. Apart from the ever present danger of drowning, rushing water can be deadly for other reasons. Both raging floodwaters and quiet standing waters harbor seen and unseen threats that are hazardous to human health and safety. Here's a rundown on why our civic heroes warn everyone to stay clear of flooded areas.

Reasons To Avoid Floodwaters

These are items, contaminants, rodents and animal remains regularly found in floodwaters:

• Sewage and livestock waste
  
• Hazardous household, industrial and medical waste products
  
• Coal ash waste that possibly contains cancer-causing compounds
  
• Other contaminants that can infect open wounds or cause illness
  
• Injury-causing debris, to include glass, lumber, vehicles and metal fragments
  
• Rodents, snakes and other animals (alive and dead) that pose threats to humans
  
  

Possible Health Consequences
Exposure to, or ingestion of floodwaters can potentially cause:

• Wounds and open wound infections
  
• Skin rashes, sometimes severe
  
• A variety of stomach and gastrointestinal illnesses
  
• Tetanus
  
• Blood infection
  
  

First responders are trained to rescue and protect others from floodwaters. However, they must also protect themselves if they are to continue to serve our community. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations, every first responder receives immunizations that lessen their personal health risks. Within the continental United States, these include vaccines for tetanus and Hepatitis B (if involved in direct patient care.)
Exacting preparation is key to effective disaster response. Much like a first responder, every homeowner should hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Keep a detailed flood plan at the ready, to include contacts for local water damage experts who can provide professional restoration services should your home ever be affected by interior damage from floodwaters.