Flooding Advice For Residents
Contacts to help residents
We have put together a reference
list (92.80 KB) of local domestic cleaning services,
electricians, hire shops, plasterers, plumbers and skip hire taking
from the Yellow Pages
website. These are not our recommendations, but if you have lost
your telephone directory or Yellow Pages in the floods this will
give you an alternative reference
list (92.80 KB).
Reducing the Risk of Infection
Health risks can be minimised by taking general hygiene
precautions and by the use of protective clothing (waterproof boots
and gloves) whilst cleaning up.
You should also always wash your hands with soap and clean
water:
- after you go to the toilet,
- when you eat or prepare food,
- after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that
have been contaminated by flood water, and
- after participating in flood cleanup activities.
Don't allow children to play in floodwater areas and wash
children's hands frequently (always before meals). Wash
floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and disinfectant before
allowing them to be used again.
Keep any open cuts or sores clean and prevent them being exposed
to flood water. Wear waterproof plasters.
Harmful bacteria may be present in sewage and animal slurry, and
this can pass into flood water, although it is likely to be
extremely diluted. If you or anyone in your family gets symptoms
such as sickness, diarrhoea, or tummy cramps, or if you become ill
after accidentally swallowing mud or contaminated water speak with
your GP, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or visit the NHS Direct website for
advice.
In inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may smell but
is not necessarily a health hazard. Get further advice from the
environmental health department if the smell persists or if you are
particularly concerned about it for other reasons.
As your property continues to dry out, vacuum any loose material
and dust on a regular basis.
Very young children should avoid playing directly on timber
floorboards or any damaged tiled floors if possible - be aware of
the risk of injury from sharp edges on tiles or raised nails in the
floorboards until these have been repaired.
Cleaning up inside your home
When returning to your home after a flood, be aware that
floodwater may contain sewage. Protect yourself and your family by
following these steps:
- If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear
rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup.
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup
has been completed.
- Clean walls, hard-surfaced floors, and other household surfaces
with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of
bleach to five gallons of water.
- Wash all linen and clothing in hot water, or dry-clean. Air dry
items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and
upholstered furniture, in the sun. Then spray them thoroughly with
a disinfectant. Steam clean all carpeting if you can.
- Remove and discard all soft furnishings, fittings, wall
coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall (also include mattresses,
carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics,
stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall
coverings, and most paper products) that are damaged beyond
repair.
- Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the
space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space
may need pumping out.
- Wash down all hard surfaces with hot soapy water until they
look clean.
- Allow to thoroughly dry - this will also help to destroy
bacteria left behind.
Heating and good ventilation will assist the drying. You can
also help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units,
and dehumidifiers.
Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete,
mouldings, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances,
sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or
dish detergent. Then disinfect with a solution of 1 cup of
household bleach to 5 gallons of water (this solution should not be
used for drinking, cooking, or personal hygiene).
After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap
and water.
Cleaning gardens and play areas
Do not let young children play on affected grassed or paved
areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their
normal condition.
Sunlight and soil help destroy harmful bacteria and there should
be no risk to health after a week or so. The best way to reduce
these risks further is to always wash your hands before eating or
preparing food.
Cleaning clothing and bedding
Clothing, bedding and other soft fabric items such as children's
toys should be laundered on a hot wash (60C or the highest
temperature indicated on manufacturer's instructions) which will
destroy most bacteria that may be present.
Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be
put in a washing machine will have to be professionally cleaned. If
this is not possible, they may have to be disposed of.
Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and
detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from
uncontaminated clothes and linens.
It is best to wash clothes and linen elsewhere until your
property’s wastewater system has been checked.
Food preparation and storage
- Don't eat any food that has been covered by or come into
contact with sewage or floodwater.
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food.
- Ensure all surfaces that food will come into contact with are
sound and disinfected. If work tops and other areas show signs of
damage, avoid food contact with these areas. Particularly make sure
that the shelves including those in your refrigerator where food is
stored are cleaned and disinfected.
- Use boiled water which has then been allowed to cool to wash
food which is eaten raw. It is safe to use unboiled tap water in
the preparation of food which is to be cooked. It is safe to use
unboiled tap water for cooking if it will be boiled during the
cooking process.
- Food preparation surfaces should be wiped down using hot
unboiled tap water containing washing-up-liquid and disinfected,
and dishes and other utensils should also be washed in hot unboiled
tap water containing washing-up-liquid.
- Try to keep any opened food in an enclosed box or tin.
- All crockery, pots and pans should be thoroughly washed with
hot soapy water before using. If any of these are badly chipped or
damaged do not use. You could use a food safe disinfectant to
sanitise them after cleaning.
- Frozen food that has been at room temperature for a few hours
should be discarded. Put contaminated flood-damaged food in black
plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse
collection is due. Check with insurers before disposal.
Don't be tempted to try and salvage damaged food including tins
as they may be contaminated with sewage and chemicals left from the
floodwater.
If your drinking water becomes contaminated
If your water comes through a mains supply, follow the advice of
the local water company regarding the safety of their water
supply.
Water companies have a duty to take all necessary steps to
protect public health. If a water treatment works becomes flooded
alternative supplies are normally available but consumers may be
advised to boil water before drinking or temporarily refrain from
using water for domestic purposes.
- If you notice a change in water quality, such as the water
becoming discoloured or there is a change in taste or smell, or if
you are unsure, ring your local water company. If in doubt boil all
water intended for drinking or use bottled water.
- If you have been advised to boil your water, then boil all
water for drinking, brushing teeth, washing food and making
ice.
- If your water is a private supply such as a well or spring,
then check that it has not been affected by the floodwater. If a
private well or spring has been covered by floodwater, if the water
changes colour or taste, or you believe the supply has been
affected by the flood then boil the water before you use it.
- Treatment systems on private supplies such as filter cartridges
and UV may become ineffective and need replacing after the flood
water has dispersed and the supply water has settled.
- It is also not advisable to use washing machines and
dishwashers when the water is cloudy.
- Continue to boil the water until the supply has been tested and
shown to be safe. Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria, viruses
and parasites that may be present in water. Bring the water to the
boil and then allow it to cool before drinking. It can be stored in
a clean jug covered by a saucer in a cool place (preferably in the
fridge). Ice should be made from water prepared for drinking.
- Use a bleach solution to rinse containers before reusing them
after flooding. Use water storage tanks and other types of
containers with caution. This applies particularly to pans and
utensils used in cooking or food preparation.
Also remember:
- Water from the hot tap is not suitable for drinking.
- Ensure the water taps are cleaned and disinfected before using
them for the first time.
If there is a bottle-fed baby in the house make sure their water
is boiled and do not use bottled water unless it is recommended by
a doctor or health visitor. Some bottled water is unsuitable for
babies.
Returning to your home
It is recommended that you only fully move back into your home
once the above cleaning has been carried out. There may be
additional works to be carried out eventually as advised by your
insurance company, housing officer, landlord or builder.
If you decide to return to your home before this further work is
completed you should:
- Try to have some heating on at all times. Consider the use of a
dehumidifier. Ensure the property is well ventilated. Leave windows
open as much as possible but be mindful of security.
- Ensure that if you have airbricks to any under floor spaces
that these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these
areas.
- Replace manhole covers dislodged by the flood.
- Don't switch on electrical appliances, which have been in
contact with floodwater unless a competent electrician has checked
them. Your local Electricity Board will be checking main
supplies.
- Ensure that your home is properly aired to encourage
drying.
- Make sure that any mould growth is properly treated
How to deal with chemical hazards
Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during
flood recovery. Floodwaters may have buried or moved hazardous
chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from
their normal storage places. If you are worried about major
chemical contamination, contact the fire and rescue service for
advice in the first instance.
- If the floodwater contained oil, petrol or
diesel it should go away with the floodwater and silt. Any
remaining oil, diesel or petrol contamination can be removed by
using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after
initial cleaning has been carried out.
- Car batteries, even those immersed in
floodwater may still contain an electric charge and should only be
removed with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid
coming into contact with any acid that may have been spilt from the
battery.
- In general you should avoid contact with contaminated
water and materials, but if it becomes necessary to do so,
you should wear protective clothing and gloves. You should also
avoid enclosed areas that may be chemically contaminated, such as
garages and cellars, where hazardous fumes may build up.
The safe use of emergency generators
Remember that petrol or diesel generators, dehumidifiers and
pressure washers should never be used indoors without adequate
ventilation. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can
quickly build up to poisonous levels without proper
ventilation.
Garden Vegetable Produce
Don't eat garden or allotment vegetables that have been covered
by sewerage or floodwater.
Although any health risk may be small, it is better to dispose
of any contaminated produce and start again.
Reducing the risk of mould
Flooding can contribute to the growth of mould in homes, which
can present a health risk, especially to people with asthma,
allergies, other breathing conditions and those with a suppressed
immune system.
Bulky Waste
If you have any flood damaged bulky items e.g. furniture or
white goods, please check with your insurance company before
disposing of them as it may affect your claim.
If you are able to transport or arrange transport of your items,
you can take them to your local household waste site at:
The trailer permit scheme has been waived for all flood damaged
items.
If you have no means of transporting items to household waste
site, please check with your insurance company to see if they can
help, as costs of removal may be possible to be added to your
claim. Please look under Waste in the Yellow Pages for
details of companies.
If you are elderly or disabled, please phone 01386 565018 for
help and advice.
Help with pets and animals
If you need help or advice concerning your pets and animals
during this unsettled period, please contact our Environmental
Services team.
Environmental Services
Wychavon District Council
Telephone: 01386 565186 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email: environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk
Insurance Claims
As a general rule, residents should first of all have contacted
their own insurance company to put right any damage or losses. Take
photos of your damaged belongings.
Have been approached by someone offering to help you fill out
your insurance claim? If so, read these advice information
sheets.
Useful Links
Flooding advice from:
For more information contact:
This advice is provided by Wychavon District Councils
Environmental Services and incorporates information provided by NHS
Direct.
Environmental Services, Wychavon District Council,
Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcs. WR10
1PT
Telephone: 01386 565186 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Fax: 01386 561826
Email: environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk
