Flooding – Frequently Asked Health Questions

I think floods may be coming soon to my local area – what should I do?
What is the most dangerous thing about a flood?
What’s the best health advice – isn’t there a risk from bugs in the water?
What if I start to feel unwell?
Did many people fall ill after the summer 2007 floods?
How do I check if my local health services are affected (ie GPs, outpatient appointments)?
Should I take any precautions regarding my children?
Is food safe to eat?
How do I prepare food safely?
What about commercial kitchens?
What do I do with flood-damaged food?
How should I clean up my home safely?
How and what to clean
What are the chemical hazards involved in floods and cleaning up?
Who is responsible for the safety of my mains water supply?
My mains water tastes funny - what should I do?
How do I use tap water that may be contaminated?
I’ve been advised to boil my mains water – what do I need to know?
What if my water comes from a private supply?
How do I clean bowls and buckets for water containers which have been in the floodwater?
How should I use the bowser and bottled water supplied to replace mains water?
How do I flush the toilet with no mains water?
What if the toilet can’t be flushed at all because of blockage?
If I don’t have mains water how should I bottle feed my baby?
How do I bathe my child without mains water?
Can I use water for my contact lenses?

I think floods may be coming soon to my local area – what should I do?

Listen out for flood warnings on radio and television and follow any advice from the emergency services. You can also phone the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188.

Their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk carries the latest information about flood warnings and advice about preparing for imminent floods.

The Environment Agency is the main source of public information about flooding; the HPA provides specific advice about the health aspects of flooding.

What is the most dangerous thing about a flood?

The main threats to health during and immediately after a flood are drowning, and injuries caused by accidents in flowing water. Walking or even driving through floodwater is risky - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole covers may have come off and there may be other hazards you can’t see.

The other main health hazard in floods come from the stress and strain of the event and clean-up. Take time to look after your and your family’s mental health and wellbeing. Do not overexert yourself in the clean-up, and you’ll avoid added health problems.

There is also a serious danger posed by carbon monoxide fumes from the indoor use of generators and other fuel-powered equipment, such as driers.

What’s the best health advice – isn’t there a risk from bugs in the water?

Infection problems arising from floods in this country are rare. Usually any harmful bugs in floodwater become very diluted and present a low risk, but there are a few precautions to be aware of when dealing with flooding which should prevent unnecessary additional health problems:

• Wherever possible, try to avoid coming into direct contact with floodwater. If you have to go into the water, wear waterproof gloves and rubber boots and remember to be careful of potentially concealed hazards.
• Wash your hands – this is the most important way to get rid of harmful bugs. Use warm, clean water and soap, then rinse and dry your hands after going to the toilet, before eating or preparing food, after being in contact with flood water, sewage or with items that have been in the water. Use cold water to wash if warm is not available. If there is no clean water, use disposable soapy, wet wipes to carefully clean all parts of your hands and dry them.
• waterproof plasters.
• Keep children out of the water
• Don’t eat any food that has been touched or covered by floodwater or sewage.

What if I start to feel unwell?

If you feel unwell this does not necessarily mean that you are suffering from any infection. If you are concerned, then call NHS Direct or visit your family doctor.

You should contact your family doctor if you become ill after accidentally swallowing contaminated water or mud and tell the doctor your house was flooded.

Both the physical stress associated with overexertion in cleaning up premises and the mental stress caused by temporary relocation may make you feel unwell.  Remember that tiredness, difficulty sleeping and anxiety are normal in these circumstances and may go away with time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, contact friends, relations or your family doctor. And keep warm – cold can lead to hypothermia.

Did many people fall ill after the summer 2007 floods?

Throughout the summer 2007 floods, the Health Protection Agency kept a close watch on the health of communities affected by flooding to track any changes in the rates of reported infectious disease. From data collected from GPs, hospital laboratories, NHS Direct calls, and Health Protection Units, the HPA found no evidence of increased outbreaks of illness due to the floods. This was in line with previous experience from floods in developed countries, including the UK.

How do I check if my local health services are affected (ie GPs, outpatient appointments)?

If you can, use the usual local telephone numbers for your health services. In more severe circumstances the local NHS Primary Care Trust may be issuing updates on access to local NHS services and NHS Direct (0845 4647) is also a good source of local health service information.

Should I take any precautions regarding my children?

Do not allow children to play in flood-water areas.

Do not let young children play on affected paved or concreted areas until they have been cleaned down and restored to their normal condition. Sunlight and soil help destroy harmful bacteria so it is usually safe for children to play on grass a week or so after the floodwater has gone.

Do wash children’s hands frequently – particularly after playing outdoors and always before meals.

Do seek medical advice, as under normal circumstances, if infants are unwell with diarrhoea and vomiting.

Do wash floodwater-contaminated toys with hot water and detergent before allowing them to be used. For soft toys, put them in a hot (60°C) machine wash, along with any other affected fabric items.

Is food safe to eat?

The Food Standards Agency advises people not to eat any food that has been touched or covered by floodwater or sewage.

Do not eat any produce grown on an allotment or garden that has been flooded, unless it has been cooked.

If you have a catering business and have been affected by flooding, ask for advice from the environmental health service at your local authority.

How do I prepare food safely?

Wash your hands before and after preparing food. Using clean water, detergent, then a normal kitchen disinfectant, clean and disinfect work surfaces, plates, pans, cutlery, and plastic/glass chopping boards before preparing food. Powerful disinfectants, such as strong bleach are not necessary and may be harmful to surfaces.

Throw away wooden chopping boards that have been in contact with floodwater or sewage. If you have a working dishwasher and mains water supply, this is a more efficient way to clean smaller items. 

Thoroughly clean the inside of your fridge and food cupboards if they have been touched by floodwater, using detergent, water and normal household cleaning products.

If your power has been cut off and your fridge has not been working for a few hours, throw away the food inside. If your freezer has not been working, throw away any meat, fish or dairy products, or food containing these, if they have started to get soft or are contaminated by floodwater. Throw away any food that you would eat frozen, such as ice cream.

What about commercial kitchens?

The Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice published in 1995 (see http://archive.food.gov.uk/dept_health/pdf/catsec.pdf  ) indicates what should be disinfected and what does not normally need to be. Disinfection in normal situations should be restricted to direct food contact surfaces including work tops and equipment, hand contact surfaces such as doors and cleaning materials such as cloths, bowls and brushes.

If the food preparation has been flooded then it may be necessary to thoroughly clean in all areas and this should include disinfection. 

What do I do with flood-damaged food?

Put flood-damaged food in black plastic refuse sacks, seal and put out when your next refuse collection is due.

Remember to check with insurers before disposal because food may be insured. Don't be tempted to try to salvage damaged food - including tins as they may be damaged or contaminated.

How should I clean up my home safely?

See also the Environment Agency leaflet Before, during and after a flood (Product code : FLHO1110BTFK-E-E):

http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/ [external link]

Protective clothing: wear rubber boots, an apron and waterproof gloves during the clean up. If you are scrubbing, hosing or pressure-washing, you may cause a lot of splashing and it is a good idea to wear a standard face mask, such as those sold by DIY stores. Goggles offer added protection and they can be reused after thorough washing. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after each clean-up session.

Electrics: You should not switch on electrical appliances, which have been in contact with floodwater unless a competent electrician has checked them, as there is a risk of electrocution. Your local Electricity Board will be checking main supplies.

Children: Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed. Even when dried out, be aware that damaged timber floorboards and floor tiles may present a risk of injury to the young.

How and what to clean

• Using clean water, detergent, then a normal kitchen disinfectant, clean and disinfect work surfaces, plates, pans, cutlery, and plastic/glass chopping boards before preparing food. Powerful disinfectants, such as strong bleach are not necessary and may be harmful to surfaces.
• Thoroughly clean all other hard surfaces, including walls, hard-surfaced floors and furniture with hot soapy water, using an ordinary household detergent, until they look clean. Allow to dry thoroughly - this will also help to destroy germs left behind.
• Other soft furnishings that have been contaminated and cannot be put in a washing machine will have to be cleaned professionally or, if this is not possible, may have to be disposed of.
• Do not mix detergents with chlorine based bleaches as this may release hazardous fumes.
• Remember to take regular breaks in the fresh air.
• Remove and discard all soft furnishings and fittings that are damaged beyond repair or mouldy.
• Remove dirty water and silt from the property including the space under the ground floor if you have wooden floors. This space may need pumping out.
• If you need to store water, try not to use the same containers used to empty flood water and mud from your home.
• Heating and good ventilation will assist the drying process. Help the drying process by using fans, air conditioning units, and dehumidifiers, but  be very aware of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning (see below).

Clothing and bedding:  these and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys etc should be laundered on a hot wash (60°C or the highest temperature indicated on manufacturer's instructions) which will destroy most germs that may be present.

Heavily contaminated clothes can be soaked first to avoid grit damaging the washing machine. Contaminated clothes should be machine washed separately to uncontaminated clothes.

If you suspect problems with your drainage system, it is recommended that a launderette be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your waste-water system has been checked.

Insurance: If items are likely to be the subject of insurance claims, speak to insurers and find out what evidence claims will require. In the interim, we recommend that affected items are moved and stored in areas away from those which are used for day to day living.

Living in your flood-damaged home: It is recommended that you only fully re-occupy your home once the above cleaning has been carried out. There may be additional works to be carried out eventually as advised by your insurance company, housing officer, landlord, builder etc.

If you decide to return to your home before this further work is completed you should:

1. Try to have some heating on at all times, once it has been safety checked
2. Consider the use of a dehumidifier
3. Ensure the property is well ventilated
4. Leave windows open as much as possible but be mindful of security.

If you are living in a flood-damaged home and you become concerned that it is no longer safe to stay in, please contact you local council for advice.

Ensure that if you have air-bricks to any under floor spaces that these are unblocked to give cross ventilation to these areas. As floorboards and walls continue to dry out, any loose material and dust resulting from this should be vacuumed up on a regular basis.

Mould: You may notice mould growing on damp walls. This should disappear as your home dries out. Areas where mould remains can be cleaned with warm water and detergent. If specialist treatment is necessary for persistent mould this should be carried out by a skilled operator who will use appropriate protective equipment and precautions. You should not attempt to do this yourself.

Rats and other pests: Rats can move into homes due to flooding of their nests, but they are generally wary of humans. If normal waste collection services are disrupted, the build up of waste may attract rats and other pests.  Store your rubbish in hard bins or if this is not possible, try to keep rubbish bags in a place away from your home.  

Avoid approaching or cornering rats. If you are bitten by a rat then seek medical advice. If you have to pick up dead rats, wear gloves and dispose of the rats in a plastic bag.

What are the chemical hazards involved in floods and cleaning up?

Carbon monoxide poisoning: Remember that petrol or diesel generators and other fuel driven equipment should never be brought indoors. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide which can quickly build up to poisonous levels without good ventilation, keeping doors and windows open whenever possible.

The same risk is carried by portable grills, pressure washers, camp stoves, paraffin- fuelled heaters or other devices using gasoline, propane or natural gas which should not be used indoors for heating or boiling water or cleaning.  

If you have to use these devices to boil water this should be done outdoors. If you cannot use these devices outdoors and there are no other alternatives available, then they should only be used to boil water for as short a period as possible in well ventilated rooms. They should never be used to heat or dry out rooms.  If you experience dizziness, headaches or disorientation, the appliance should be switched off, move to a well-ventilated area and seek medical advice.

Car batteries: Older batteries may leak acid, so it is advisable to use rubber gloves when handling them.

Household chemicals: Special care should be taken when opening cupboards that may contain household or garden chemicals that have become wet, especially those in bags or cardboard packaging.  Wear rubber rubber gloves to handle any of this packaging.

Oil in floodwater: Oil films may be seen floating on the floodwaters both inside buildings and surrounding areas. It is recommended that these films should not be disturbed and exposure to them should be avoided. Floodwaters should be allowed to subside and on contact with the ground the petrol allowed to evaporate. As is normal practice people are reminded not to smoke or have fire sources such as matches in the vicinity of petrol films.

Any remaining oil contamination in accessible areas can be removed by using a detergent solution and washing the surface down after initial cleaning has been carried out. In inaccessible areas such as under floorboards it may present an odour problem but is not necessarily a health hazard. Further advice should be sought from Environmental Health if the odour persists or if you are particularly concerned about it for other reasons.

Enclosed areas: Avoid enclosed areas that may be chemically contaminated, such as garages and cellars where hazardous fumes may build up. Before entering, ensure such confined areas have good ventilation, with doors and windows open, and do not allow children and animals to enter.

Gas systems: Water and mud may enter gas systems during a flood. Even if appliances appear to be working normally, the flue or ventilation systems may be affected. For safety reasons it is most important to have all appliances inspected by a Gas Safe Register engineer.

Cleaning up where chemical contamination is suspected at home: Although any chemicals in floodwater will have been very diluted and present a low risk, as with sewage contamination, you should always wear protective clothing -  rubber boots, an apron and waterproof gloves. If you are scrubbing, hosing or pressure-washing, you may cause a lot of splashing and it is a good idea to wear a standard face mask, such as those sold by DIY stores. Goggles offer added protection and they can be reused after thorough washing. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after each clean-up session.

Who is responsible for the safety of my mains water supply?

People whose water comes through a mains supply should follow the advice of their local water company regarding the safety of their water supply. In most flooding circumstances, the mains water supply remains safe.

Water companies have a duty to take all necessary steps to protect public health. If a water treatment works becomes flooded, for example, alternative supplies will be made available, such as by bottled water or bowser, but in the meantime consumers may be advised to boil water before drinking or temporarily stop using water for domestic purposes.

My mains water tastes funny - what should I do?

If you notice a change in water quality, such as the water becoming discoloured or there is a change in taste or smell, or if you are unsure, ring your local water company. Whilst waiting for an answer, and if water is urgently required, boil all water intended for drinking or use bottled water.

How do I use tap water that may be contaminated?

The quality of tap water is the responsibility of your local water company. Usually, in a flood the water supply and distribution network are unaffected and so it is safe to drink the water. If for any reason it is not safe to drink, the water company will inform you.

If there is evidence or concern that the tap water may be contaminated, boil and cool it before using it to wash food that won’t be cooked, such as fruit or salad. It is safe to use unboiled tap water in the preparation of food which is to be cooked. It is also safe to use unboiled tap water for cooking if it will be boiled during the cooking process.

I’ve been advised to boil my mains water – what do I need to know?

There are three kinds of water notices for different circumstances: Boil tap water before use; Do not drink your tap water; Do not use your tap water.

If you have been advised to boil your water before use, this will be for drinking and food preparation. All water for these purposes should be brought to a boil and then allowed to cool before using. Remember that boiling water can carry a risk of scalding accidents. It is advisable to use a kettle rather than pots and pans. If you must use open containers such as pots and pans, then special care should be taken when young children or vulnerable people are involved. Keep panhandles turned inwards when boiling water in pans so that children cannot reach them.

Water from a bowser should be safe to drink but it requires boiling before use because the containers used to transfer water from bowser to home may not be clean.

Water from the hot tap is not suitable for drinking, whether in flood circumstances or not.

What if my water comes from a private supply?

If your water is a private supply such as a well or spring, then check that it has not been affected by the floodwater. If a private well or spring has been covered by floodwater, if the water changes colour, taste or smell, or you believe the supply has been affected by the flood then ring your local council for advice. Whilst waiting for an answer assume the water is unsafe to drink unless boiled or source an alternative supply.

Continue to boil the water until the supply has been tested and shown to be safe. Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites that may be present in water, but not harmful chemicals.

Bring the water to the boil and then allow it to cool before drinking. Don’t store large quantities of boiled water in open containers, such as bins, as they may become contaminated over time.

How do I clean bowls and buckets for water containers which have been in the floodwater?

Use an appropriately diluted bleach solution or sterilising tablets, following manufacturer’s instructions, to clean containers.  Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. This applies particularly to pans and utensils used in cooking or food preparation.

Ensure the water taps are cleaned with hot water and detergent before using them for the first time after a flood. Allow the taps to run for a few minutes when you start using the mains water again, as this should clear the pipes.

How should I use the bowser and bottled water supplied to replace mains water?

Only bowser water which has been boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking (note below regarding bottle-fed infants), brushing teeth, washing food, cooking and making ice.

If there is no gas or electricity available to householders to boil water bottled water should be used in all circumstances.

How do I flush the toilet with no mains water?

With restrictions in drinking water supply there may be insufficient water for flushing toilets. It is therefore important that all water used for washing, bathing, and from cooking (i.e. water from boiled vegetables) or washing up is saved in buckets to be used for flushing. It is not necessary to flush the toilet after urination. Other sources of water, for example, from garden water butts can also be used for flushing.

What if the toilet can’t be flushed at all because of blockage?

The following options may be available to householders whose toilets cannot be used:

It may be possible and practicable to use the facilities of unaffected family, friends, neighbours, public toilets, rest centres, local shops, supermarkets and hotels. Chemical toilets ("portaloos") may be provided in your area.

Portable bag in bag products (e.g. "Brief relief", "wag bag") designed for solid and urine waste may be provided in your area. Once used according to manufacturers' instructions, the waste bag should be placed inside another bag, such as a bin liner, and disposed of in the usual way.

 

If I don’t have mains water how should I bottle feed my baby?

If your drinking water supply is either interrupted or contaminated by the flooding and you need to prepare formula feed for a baby, it is important to be careful with the water you use. Here are some tips from the Food Standards Agency on preparing formula safely.

Ideally use water from a bowser (a water tank provided by water companies), or bottled water, brought to a ‘rolling’ boil and left covered to cool for no more than half an hour, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions on making up the feed. The use of unboiled bowser water should be avoided.

Use cooled boiled water or bottled water for cooling the feed once it has been made up. Ready-to-feed liquid formula could be used instead.

If there is no electricity or gas to allow boiling and you don’t have ready-to-feed liquid formula available, bottled water (table, spring or mineral water) can be used without boiling to prepare baby feeds, but the prepared feed should then be used immediately.

Any bottled water supplied by your water company will comply with all drinking water standards and will be safe to use in preparing baby feed. If you buy your own bottled water, be aware that some natural mineral water may have a high sodium content. Look at the label for sodium or `Na’ and check its level is not higher than 200mg a litre. If it is, then try to use a different water. If no other water is available, then use this water for as short a time as possible. It is important to keep babies hydrated.

How do I bathe my child without mains water?

If the water company has advised that the domestic supply is unsafe for drinking, then it is inadvisable to use this for bathing infants. In this situation, boiled bowser water, or bottled water, are safe alternatives. A safe alternative to bathing is to use baby wipes for hand cleansing and washing infants.

Can I use water for my contact lenses?

Tap water or bowser water should never be used for cleaning or storing contact lenses since this could cause a rare but serious eye infection.

Last reviewed: 2 May 2012