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Cooperative Extension offers advice for flood cleanup

Rising waters from a hurricane or a heavy storm can cause a multitude of problems. To help deal with flood-related problems, North Carolina Cooperative Extension offers these guidelines:

Safety after the flood

• More injuries occur in the disaster recovery process than in the actual disaster. Think safety first!
• Be sure that all electric and gas services are turned off at your individual dwelling before attempting to re-enter your home.
• Keep children safely away from flood water, debris and damage.
• Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns to examine property. DO NOT use oil or gas lanterns or torches.
• Have an expert check the electrical and gas systems in your home before returning appliances and equipment to service.
• Beware of slippery surfaces that can cause falls and injuries.
• Snakes that have been displaced by high water may seek refuge in flooded structures. Watch where you place your hands and feet as you begin clean-up activities. Wear high boots. If you find snakes, isolate them in a small area and seek help. Treat all snakes as if they are poisonous.
• Stress levels are high following disasters. Be alert for stress-warning signs in yourself, your family members particularly children, and your neighbors. Take breaks during clean-up efforts and recognize that not everything can be handled at once.
• Flood water may carry many disease-causing organisms. Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, goggles, rubber gloves and water-resistant outer wear. Consider getting immunization booster shots if you've been involved in floodwater cleanup.
• Be particularly cautious about eating and drinking in flood areas. Hands may be contaminated, and diseases may be transmitted by touching food directly.

Inside your home

• Start cleanup as soon as it is safe, to prevent further damage.
• Make sure that the water is safe to drink. Private wells should be inspected to make sure they are not contaminated.
• Any food that has come in contact with flood waters should be considered contaminated and unsafe to eat.
• Sanitize surfaces, equipment, utensils and other belongings. Liquid chlorine bleach is an inexpensive, commonly used disinfectant. Make sure that the brand you choose lists sodium hypochlorite at 5.25 percent as an active ingredient. Remove all silt and dirt before sanitizing. Chlorine is more effective in warm water than in cold.
• Kitchen utensils: Use one tablespoon of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Immerse for at least one minute. Discard items made of porous material such as plastic, rubber and wood.
• Sinks: Fill with two-thirds of a gallon of water. Add one-half cup liquid chlorine bleach. Let stand five minutes before rinsing.
• Bathtubs, showers, floors, vinyl, tile, woodwork and appliances: Wash with a solution of three-fourths cup of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of warm water. Let stand five minutes before rinsing.
• Dishwashers should not be used until the water is safe. Clean and sanitize before using.
• Flood waters may contain sewage, pesticides, chemicals and unknown toxins. Clothing, carpet, upholstered furniture, draperies and other interior textiles should be thrown away. Throw away items that are embedded with fiberglass or asbestos.
• Household textiles such as towels, sheets and other linens may be disinfected and reused. Refer to label directions to determine if the item can withstand chlorine bleach and warm or hot water. Heavier textiles such as comforters or quilts should be disinfected in the washer one at a time and may require at least three rinses in clear, warm water.

Clothing cleanup

• Clothing that may have become contaminated by flood waters should be disinfected. Liquid chlorine bleach is the cheapest and easiest-to-use disinfectant. If chlorine bleach cannot be used on a particular garment, use a disinfectant and an oxygen bleach.
• Separate wet items to keep clothing colors from running together. Separate clothes requiring dry-cleaning. Air-dry items before taking them to be dry-cleaned.
• Before clothing is washed, make sure the water is safe and sanitize the washing machine.
• Remove mud, dirt and residue and rinse or wash as soon as possible to prevent the growth of mildew. Mildew is difficult to remove and may damage clothing beyond repair.
• Wash small loads of clothing or linens with a full water level.
• Pretreat heavily stained garments. A prewash soil-and-stain remover works well on oil-based stains such as motor oils. An enzyme presoak works best on protein stains such as grass and blood.
• Rust or rust-colored stains are best handled by a commercially prepared rust remover.
• Do not dry items in dryer until you are satisfied with stain and dirt removal.

Saving appliances

• Flood water can cause major damage to appliances if it gets into motors, insulation, electrical contacts or switches. Flood-damaged appliances may be salvaged, but they must first be thoroughly dried out and check by an authorized service technician before being used. The drying process may take a week or more.
• Don't use a water hose to clean mud-caked or dirty appliances. Water may get into places that were not previously damaged by flood waters.
• Once the appliance has been checked for use, clean and sanitize. If odor persists, wash with a solution of one teaspoon baking soda and a quart of water or a solution of one cup of vinegar or household ammonia in one gallon of water.
• Refrigerators and freezers with wet insulation probably can't be salvaged.
• Built-in appliances may be saved by replacing the batt of fiberglass insulation that usually surrounds them.

Prepared by the Department of Communication Services, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Updated Sept. 3, 2008 — dfc

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