Make Flood Safety a Priority after Hurricane Katrina

American Red Cross
Friday, 26 August 2005

The National Weather Service says flooding is still an extreme threat for Southern Florida after Hurricane Katrina made landfall late Thursday afternoon. More than 11 inches of rain fell in some parts of Miami/Dade County, and there are reports of extreme flooding in at least three counties.

It is critically important to heed warnings from local and state officials in areas where Hurricane Katrina caused flooding and damage. The American Red Cross urges all area residents to follow guidance from local authorities about when it is safe to return home, and to follow and implement any boil-water recommendations.

Now in the warm waters of the Gulf Coast, Katrina continues to gain strength and will make a second landfall on late Sunday or early Monday. As residents in Southeastern Florida begin clean-up and recovery efforts, residents experiencing flooding should use the following guidance as they return home:

• Seek necessary medical care at the nearest hospital or clinic. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention.


• Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations, and put you at further risk from the residual effects of floods, such as contaminated waters, crumbled roads, landslides, mudflows, and other hazards.


• Stay out of any building if flood waters remain around the building. Flood waters often undermine foundations, causing sinking, floors can crack or break and buildings can collapse.


• Avoid entering ANY building (home, business, or other) before local officials have said it is safe to do so. Buildings may have hidden damage that makes them unsafe. Gas leaks or electric or waterline damage can create additional problems.

• Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters. Some canned foods may be salvageable. If the cans are dented or damaged, throw them away. Food contaminated by flood waters can cause severe infections.


• If water is of questionable purity, boil or add bleach, and distill water before using. (See information on water treatment under the Food and Water in an Emergency section). Wells inundated by flood waters should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local public health authority. Ill health effects often occur when people drink water contaminated with bacteria and germs. Never drink flood water.

American Red Cross relief efforts will be extensive this weekend. Trained volunteers are preparing to serve meals and distribute clean-up kits and personal hygiene kits to affected residents. The Red Cross is also prepared to help with basic immediate emergency needs for families as clean-up efforts continue.

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C., 20013. Internet users can make a secure online donation by visiting www.redcross.org.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org