What Environmental Hazards Come With Hurricane Flooding?

Floodwaters from hurricanes mix with everything in their path. This typically includes raw sewage from overwhelmed municipal systems and septic tanks. The water can also pick up pesticides, fertilizers, industrial chemicals, and gasoline from roads and garages.

This creates a toxic slurry. Contact with this contaminated water poses serious health risks, including skin infections and gastrointestinal illnesses. You should assume all standing water after a hurricane is hazardous and avoid direct skin contact.

Floodwaters can undermine foundations, warp floors, and weaken walls. Saturated drywall and insulation lose their structural integrity. Electrical systems submerged in water become an immediate shock and fire hazard once power is restored.

Debris carried by the water, like broken glass, nails, and splintered wood, can be hidden in murky water or left scattered. Walking through flooded areas without sturdy footwear is extremely risky due to these unseen hazards.

Cleaning hurricane flood damage is not a standard mopping job. Due to the contamination, you need personal protective equipment like gloves, goggles, and N95 respirators. Many soaked household items, especially porous ones, may need to be discarded for safety.

Local water damage pros are equipped to handle these environmental hazards. They have the training and commercial-grade equipment to extract water, disinfect surfaces, and dry the structure properly. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

• Wear rubber gloves, boots, goggles, and a tight-fitting respirator mask.
• Assume all floodwater is contaminated with sewage or chemicals.
• Discard porous items like mattresses, upholstered furniture, and carpet padding.
• Hard surfaces can be cleaned with a disinfectant like a bleach solution.
• Electrical systems must be inspected by a qualified electrician.
• Document all damage and discarded items for an insurance claim.