Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Environmental Health is providing tips for residents to keep themselves and their homes safe during and after a flood.
For more tips, visit https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehadm/index.html. The Washington State Department of Health also has helpful information on its website at https://bit.ly/3t2WVo5.
Thurston County Emergency Management’s Emergency Coordination Center is activated. It can be reached at 360-867-2800. Staff are coordinating with the American Red Cross to establish shelter locations, as needed.
Tips for what to do during a flood include:
• Do not try to walk or drive through flooded areas. Water can be deeper than it appears, and water levels rise quickly. Follow official emergency evacuation routes. If your car stalls in flood water, get out quickly and move to higher ground.
• Stay away from moving water; moving water six inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Cars are easily swept away in just two feet of water.
• Stay away from disaster areas unless authorities ask for volunteers.
• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If your home is flooded, turn the utilities off until emergency officials tell you it is safe to turn them on.
• Do not pump the basement out until flood water recedes.
• Avoid weakened floors, walls and rooftops.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with floodwaters.
Tips for residents to follow after a flood include:
• Wear gloves and boots when cleaning up.
• Open all doors and windows. Use fans if possible, to air out the building.
• Wash all clothes and linens in hot water.
• Discard mattresses and stuffed furniture. They can't be adequately cleaned.
• Wash dirt and mud from walls, counters and hard surfaced floors with soap and water. Disinfect by wiping surfaces with a solution of one cup bleach per gallon of water.
• Discard all food that has come into contact with floodwater. Canned food is alright, but thoroughly wash the can before opening.
• If your well is flooded, your tap water is probably unsafe. If you have public water, the health department will let you know—through radio and television—if your water is not safe to drink. Until your water is safe, use clean bottled water.
• Learn how to purify water. If you have a well, learn how to decontaminate it.
• Do not use your septic system when water is standing on the ground around it. The ground below will not absorb water from sinks or toilets. When the soil has dried, it is probably safe to again use your septic system. To be sure, contact your local health department.
• When floodwaters have receded, watch out for weakened road surfaces.
Call Thurston County Public Works at 360-867-2300 to report flooded roads during regular business hours. After hours, weekend and holiday road reports should be directed to TCOMM Dispatch at 360-704-2740. Residents are urged to only use 911 for life-threatening emergencies. River conditions can change rapidly, so residents should stay tuned to the National Weather Service website, NOAA weather radio, local news and the Thurston County website for updates.
