Working in flooded areas
If you’re working in a flooded area, avoid sewage, debris, and remains of animals. Wear protective equipment such as gloves and boots to avoid direct contact with contaminated water. Wash your hands frequently and with soap or sanitizer before eating or drinking.

Sewage
Flooding may cause wastewater to back up into your home. If sewage has backed up into your home, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Walls, floors, closets, shelves and their contents and any other flooded parts of your home should be thoroughly washed and disinfected. As a general rule, anything you can't wash, disinfect and air dry should be thrown away.

Diarrheal Illnesses
If you swallow water that is contaminated with flood water or from any other contaminated source, you might develop a gastrointestinal disorder (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, etc.) from viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms (germs) that may be in the water.

You can also become ill from germs on your hands or in contaminated food. Some germs can cause illness when only a few of them are swallowed. To protect yourself and your family, make sure your drinking water is safe. Don't eat spoiled or contaminated food. Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating; make sure that other family members do so also. If you do not have clean water to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

If you get diarrhea, drink plenty of liquids – especially water – so that you don't become dehydrated. If you or anyone in your family  – particularly small children and the elderly – have moderate to severe diarrhea (more than 4 or 5 watery stools per day), any bloody diarrhea, a fever over 100 degrees, or a diarrhea that lasts longer than three days, see a doctor.

Tetanus shots
Anyone involved in hurricane clean-up activities should make sure that their tetanus vaccinations are up to date. Tetanus is a risk when you get a puncture wound or cut, because tetanus bacteria in soil can enter the body through the wound or cut. If you received the standard childhood immunizations, and have received a tetanus booster shot within ten years, you will not need a tetanus vaccination unless a healthcare provider determines it is necessary. If you receive a puncture wound and it becomes contaminated with sewage, dirt or flood water, thoroughly clean the wound and have a healthcare provider determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary. Specific recommendations for vaccinations will be made on a case-by-case basis by your health care provider.

Chemical Hazards
Be aware of potential hazards you may encounter when returning to your home. Floodwaters and high winds may have moved or buried containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals. If any propane tanks are discovered, do not move them. They present a danger of fire or explosion. Car batteries, even when flooded, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed with extreme caution by wearing insulated gloves. Avoid coming into contact with any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery.

Animals
Avoid contact with wild animals such as raccoons, squirrels, etc. that may have been displaced by the storm. If you are bitten by any animal, get medical treatment. Dead animals may be found after a flood. The presence of these animals may result in excessive odor or contamination and can attract flies. Small dead animals found around the home may be put in garbage bags and placed in dumpsters, or buried three feet in the ground. Always wear gloves when handling dead animals.

Drinking Water
If your public water supply has lost power or your private well has been flooded, then water used for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth and bathing should be boiled vigorously for at least one minute. Pregnant women should use bottled water and should be used for preparing infant formula. If you cannot boil your water, you can disinfect it with eight (8) drops (1/8 teaspoon; about the size of a nickel) of unscented household bleach per gallon of water. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor. Continue until notified by authorities that water is safe to drink.