HARRISBURG -- Commonwealth officials are advising residents to take a number of precautions to protect their health and safety in the wake of flooding in the central and eastern portions of Pennsylvania.

"A significant amount of planning and preparation takes place at local and state levels in advance of emergencies, " Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director James R. Joseph said. "But it is just as important that people exercise caution and stay alert as recovery efforts get under way and continue to help ensure the difficult cleanup is a safe one."

Administration officials cautioned that water levels in streams, rivers and lakes remains high. Some local waterways have crested, but others continue to rise. Water levels may not crest and level off for the next 48 hours.

"The aftermath of a heavy storm and subsequent flooding presents a number of potential dangers for injury and disease, " Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said. "The health and safety of residents remain our top priority as the Commonwealth works with its partners to prepare for the cleanup of debris deposited by swollen creeks and rivers."

Individuals living in flood-prone areas should have critical disaster supplies on hand, including:

• Flashlights and extra batteries;
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries;
• First aid kit and manual;
• Emergency food and water;
• Non-electric can opener;
• Essential medicines/prescriptions;
• Cash, credit cards and important legal documents; and
• Sturdy shoes.

Administration officials also advised homeowners who suffered flood damage to follow these precautions to ensure the health and safety of themselves and their families:

• Be careful when entering a flood-damaged building;
• Loose, wet ceiling plaster is heavy and dangerous --- knock down hanging plaster before moving around;
• Watch for holes in the floor and loose boards with exposed nails;
• Once inside, turn off the gas and electricity --- wear rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves and turn off the main switch using a piece of rubber, plastic or dry wood while standing on a dry board to avoid electrocution;
• Do not pump the basement until the water has gone down --- pumping a water-filled basement could result in the walls collapsing;
• Never use a gas-powered pump or generator in an enclosed area; carbon monoxide fumes could overcome you;
• Take care to protect open scratches or wounds from contacting contaminated water. Raw sewage and other bacteria in floodwaters can cause infections. Wounds should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water and a tetanus shot may be needed;
• Disinfect everything the water has touched with a two percent chlorine bleach solution. Two or three capfuls of chlorine bleach to a bucket of water are recommended. Wear gloves and boots when disinfecting;
• Discard food that comes in contact with floodwaters. Beverage bottles with twist caps that were under the water also should be thrown out. Dishes and eating and cooking utensils should be thoroughly cleaned with a water and chlorine bleach solution;
• Check refrigerated or frozen foods carefully if power outages occur. Any frozen foods that have partially or completely defrosted should be used immediately or discarded. Perishable foods kept in a refrigerator that has been off for more than four hours or has warmed to more than 45 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded;
• Bring drinking water to a rolling boil for at least a minute if you suspect it has been contaminated. Citizens are urged to boil water if it is cloudy or has an unusual odor;
• Keep all cleaning and disinfecting products out of the reach of children;
• Air-dry family treasures such as books, photographs or paintings if you can. If wet books, documents, photographs or textiles can't be air-dried within 48 hours, freeze them if you have a big enough freezer. If not, keep them as cool as possible until air-drying is possible;
• Test plumbing and basement drains by pouring in a bucket of water. If the water does not run out, remove the clean-out plug from the trap and rake out the mud with a wire;
• Don't rush to move in. Before a house is habitable, it must be dried and thoroughly cleaned since flood waters pick up sewage and chemicals as they travel;
• Open doors and windows to ventilate and dry the inside, and wait until all floors, ceilings, walls and furnishings are dry and free of mold and mildew before trying to repair or salvage;
• Do not attempt to repair floors until they are fully dry. Dry wood floors as soon as possible by opening all doors and windows --- this should prevent shrinkage and deformation. Once dry, buckled floors may be drawn back into place with nails, and planing and sanding may remove humps;
• Remove drawers and clean all mud and dirt from wooden furniture. Be sure to dry furniture slowly and indoors to prevent it from warping from the sun;
• Washers, dryers and furnaces can usually be cleaned and tested by qualified electricians. Replacing expensive appliances after a flood is not usually necessary; and
• Mattresses, carpets and rugs should be discarded --- in most cases, mattresses and rugs become so saturated with contaminated material that cleaning attempts are futile.

For more information on flood recovery, visit DEP at www.dep.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Flood Recovery." Details also are available at PEMA's Web site, www.pema.state.pa.us.

PEMA & Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
 
CONTACT:
Justin Fleming, PEMA - 717-651-2112
Kurt M. Knaus, DEP - 717-787-1323