Residents living in low lying areas that are prone to flooding should be aware of quickly rising water levels. Private water wells and sewage disposal systems can be negatively impacted by rising flood waters. Electrical power systems can become hazardous in the presence of flooding. Power outages due to flooding will put refrigerated and frozen food at risk. Homes that have flooded may pose a significant health hazard after waters recede.

If flooding has reached the well casing, it can be assumed that the well is contaminated. It is advised that the water should be boiled vigorously for 5 minutes or an alternate water source should be used for drinking, cooking, making ice, washing dishes and food preparation purposes until the flood waters recede. Before using the water again, the Livingston County Department of Public Health advises testing it for bacteriological quality. Information concerning the disinfection of a well and a list of local water testing laboratories can be obtained from your local well driller or the Environmental Health Division at 517-546-9858.

Power outages and flooding can also affect your stored food. Flood waters contain disease causing bacteria and contact with food items can make that food unsafe to eat. Refrigerated and frozen foods need to be carefully monitored and checked before eating. Frozen foods might last 3-4 days if kept in a tightly closed freezer. If potentially hazardous foods, such as meats and dairy products, exceed 40 degrees for more than 4 hours, they should be discarded. Undamaged canned goods that contact flood waters require sanitizing prior to using. Any dry goods in cardboard, plastic, screw top or crimped top jars and bottles, or paper packaging should be thrown out if contaminated by flood waters.

For more information concerning re-occupying homes after a flood, please visit the Livingston County Department of Public Health web page at www.lchd.org or contact Matt Bolang and Don Hayduk at the numbers above. For details on specific flood related topics, click on the web page links provided.

To repeat, flood waters pose a significant health risk. All materials that come in contact with flood waters are assumed to be contaminated. Take appropriate precautions. Disinfection of surfaces and materials in a home after the flood waters recede is necessary.