Dangers to Avoid
Drinking Water
Flood Safety and Clean-Up
Food and Medicines
Mold Clean-Up and Removal
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Young Children
Dangers to Avoid
- Do not walk in, play in or drive through flooded areas. Flood water contains hidden hazards and may be deeper and faster moving than it appears. Wear shoes at all times.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- If you get a cut or puncture wound get a tetanus booster shot if you have not had one in the past five years.
- If you lost power, do not use gas-powered generators and other outdoor grills/camp stoves in enclosed spaces because of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Drinking Water
- Use bottled water that has not been exposed to flood waters if it is available.
- If you don't have bottled water, boil water to make it safe. Boiling water will kill most types of disease-causing organisms that may be present. If the water is cloudy filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle and draw off the clear water for boiling. Boil the water for one minute, let it cool and store it in clean containers with covers.
- Infants under six months and pregnant women should not drink boiled water because boiling water may concentrate nitrates that could harm them. They should drink bottled water. However, if bottled water is not available, it is better for them to drink boiled water than to drink untreated water and then to switch to bottled water when it becomes available.
- If you can't boil water you can disinfect it using household bleach. Bleach will kill some, but not all, types of disease-causing organisms that may be in the water. If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water for disinfection. Add 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach for each gallon of water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers.
- If you’re on well water and extensive flooding has occurred, do not drink the water and do not turn on the electricity to your pump until flood waters recede. Use your water reserves and bottled water until your well has been disinfected and your water has been tested.
- Well water testing kits are available in person at Permits & Inspections at 30 Valley St. in Asheville from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The kit will include directions on how to disinfect your well, how to collect the water sample, and a water sample collection bottle.
Flood Safety and Clean-Up
- If you lost power, do not use gas-powered generators and other outdoor grills/camp stoves in enclosed spaces because of the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you have flooding near your home, be careful touching electrical equipment.
- Practice good hygiene after contact with flood waters. Make sure to clean your hands with soap and water before preparing food or eating.
- Do not allow children to play in flood water. Wash children’s hands with soap and water frequently (always before meals).
- Wash toys or food preparation surfaces that have been in contact with flood water with a bleach solution and allow to air dry.
- Prepare chlorine bleach solutions fresh daily (1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water); keep out of reach of children; never mix bleach solution with other cleaners.
- Apply bleach solution to surface for at least five minutes.
- Rinse all surfaces intended for food or mouth contact with clean water before use.
- If you’re on municipal water, follow the guidance of your provider.
Food and Medicines
- Cans of food that have been exposed to flood water should be thrown away. Cans of food that have been exposed to rain water may be washed and sanitized using a teaspoon of household bleach to one gallon of water.
- Food in the refrigerator should be thrown away if the power has been off for more than 4 hours or if food is warmer than 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Do not open freezers or refrigerators until you plan to use or discard the contents. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods safely cold for about 4 hours without power. If left closed, most freezers will keep food safe for 36 to 48 hours.
- Once you open the refrigerator discard any foods above 41 degrees for more than four hours. Also discard any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
- Thawed food can usually be used immediately if it is still at 41 degrees or colder. Do not refreeze completely thawed foods. Foods containing ice crystals may be refrozen.
- If fresh fruits and vegetables or food in plastic, cardboard or paper containers have been under floodwaters, do not eat them, throw them away.
- If you must discard food, try to bury it at least 48 inches deep. If burial is not possible place the food in a sealed plastic bag or container for disposal in your local landfill.
- Frozen food should be thrown away if it has thawed. Do not re-freeze thawed food.
- Medicines and cosmetics that have been in flood waters should be thrown away.
- The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program helps ensure people who are uninsured have the medicines and medical equipment they need after a disaster.
Mold Clean-up and Removal
- When approaching a mold removal and cleaning project, one of the most important considerations is the potential risk of mold exposure. Mold counts in the air can be 10 to 1,000 times higher than normal during a removal or cleaning project. Because of the potential health risks from mold exposure, it is advisable, particularly for larger (greater than 30 square feet) contamination situations, to contact a mold remediation contractor. Individuals who have allergies, asthma or respiratory disease; are immunosuppressed; or have other health problems should not take part in a mold removal/cleaning project or be in the general area of the project.
- To minimize exposure and/or potential health risks from conducting a mold remediation project, take the following precautions:
- Wear respiratory (nose and mouth) protection when handling or cleaning moldy materials. The minimal type of breathing mask, or respirator, that should be used for protection from mold particles is an N-95 particulate respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). External link
- Wear protective clothing that can be laundered or discarded after the project.
- Wear gloves and eye protection.
- Follow the recommended mold cleaning and removal steps to minimize dust dispersal (see Moldy Non-porous and Semi-porous Materials and Moldy Porous Materials).
- Additional details and steps for addressing various types and sizes of mold remediation projects can be found on the New York City Department of Health's website under Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments.
- See a fact sheet on cleaning and prevention for mold and moisture.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Young Children
All birthing facilities in western NC are open and caring for patients: Mission Health (Buncombe County); Harris Regional Hospital (Jackson County); Haywood Regional Hospital (Haywood County); Hardee Advent Health Hendersonville (Henderson County).
If you are in labor or experiencing complications of pregnancy or postpartum, and you are not able to get to a hospital, please call 911 or access emergency services so that you and your family can be prioritized for rescue and connection to health care.
If you live in an area without access to clean water and are 36+ weeks pregnant (less than 4 weeks from your due date) or have young children, consider evacuating to an area with access to clean water.
If you have evacuated due to the hurricane and need to access pregnancy care, please reach out to your health care payer through phone on the number provided on your insurance card or through their website to locate providers where you are located.
Resources For Breastfeeding Families During Disasters:
Breastfeeding During a Disaster and Other Emergencies (CDC)
Breast Milk Storage Questions and Answers (CDC)
Emergency List for Families Relying On a Breast Pump
Resources for People with Children: Kids Cleanup Safety (English, Spanish)