Residents who have had problems with flooding need to be concerned about the following areas: water safety; food safety; protection against tetanus; human waste precautions; injury prevention; and the prevention of future mold growth.

Click here for the Flood Preparedness and Response, Strategies for Families Booklet (Pdf) OR Wisconsin Disaster Health and Safety Tips - Flooding AND www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/index.htm

Water Safety:

• If in doubt about your well water, if it is cloudy, discolored, or has an odor, or if flood water has covered your casing and well cap, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER.
• Do not use contaminated water to brush teeth, wash dishes, prepare food, make ice, bathe infants, or wash open wounds.
• Do not let children play in ditches and gutters, the water is probably contaminated.
• Use bottled water or disinfect the water by boiling for 5 minutes or adding household bleach (4-6%): ¼ teaspoon per gallon of water; shake and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Test your well water and/or disinfect your well.

Food Safety:

• Discard any food: if in doubt about safety, if food has come into contact with flood water, or if your freezer or refrigerator has been without power for a period of time.
• For infants, use only pre-prepared canned formula.

Protection against tetanus:

• The tetanus organism is widespread in the environment, especially in soil. Tetanus immunizations are recommended every 10 years.
• Call the Columbia County Division of Health for information on this free vaccine (608-742-9227)

Human Waste:

• If sewage disposal systems are not working, use portable toilets.
• Minimize water use to help overtaxed sewer systems.
• Sewage may back flow through floor drains into your basement. These areas must be disinfected with a chlorine solution.
• Septic Systems - What to Do after the Flood 

Injury Prevention:

• Electrical safety: contact your utility regarding power outage and restoring power and do not enter a basement with standing water, unless the power has been shut off.
• Appliances: if exposed to water, have an electrician determine if they can be safely used.
• Avoid wading in water without proper foot protection; wear proper eyewear, gloves, and other protective equipment when cleaning.
• Insects: wear repellent when out of doors; remove standing water from tires, pails, cans, and any container on your property.
• Beware of: wild animals such as raccoons and skunks; dogs and cats that you do not know; or animals that may have entered your home, garage, or other buildings, if you had to evacuate.

Mold Growth and Cleanup

• Clean up, dry out, or discard wet materials as soon as possible. Items should be taken care of within 24-48 hours.
• Managing Water Infiltration into Buildings
• Decision Tree for Flood Damage
• Flood Cleanup:  Avoiding Air Indoor Quality Problems

Contacts:

For more information on flooding health and safety concerns, testing your well water, more specific guidelines for clean-up of your home and property, and disinfection of your well after a flood, please contact Barb Salna, Columbia County Division of Health (608)742-9274.

For more specific information on your well, concerns about your water supply, and disinfection of your well please contact Martin Nessman, DNR Private Well Water Specialist (608)275-3215.