In the wake of two catastrophic hurricanes, Milton and Helen, the southern United States faces widespread devastation, power outages, and growing health concerns.
Hurricane Milton tore through Florida on Wednesday evening, worsening the devastation caused by Hurricane Helen a few weeks ago. The region now faces widespread power outages, water contamination, and severe shortages of medical supplies, all of which pose major threats to public health.
Storm surge from Hurricane Milton remains a major concern in many parts of Florida, with tropical storm warnings still in effect along the Central East Coast. Floods are expected to worsen as river levels rise and saturated ground becomes more difficult to absorb more water.
“First and foremost are water risks. Unfortunately, more people will die after a storm from drowning than they did before the storms,” said Scott Rivkees, one of the study’s co-authors. Professor at the Brown School of Public Health in Providence, Rhode Island
“The things that we will be concerned about over the next week are making sure that individuals are not putting themselves at risk in terms of drowning, the risk of electrocution, the risk of injury, and making sure that individuals are avoiding contaminated water, both in terms of local exposure and in terms of “Drinking.”
These concerns were echoed by the Florida Department of Health on Tuesday Advisory issued Residents are warned to avoid floodwaters to avoid exposure to them Vibrio annuuma potentially life-threatening bacteria that lives in water.
“Vibrio bacteria, commonly found in warm coastal waters, can cause illness when ingested or when open wounds are exposed to contaminated water,” the administration stated. “After heavy rains and floods, the concentration of these bacteria may increase, especially in brackish and saltwater environments.”
The risk is not limited to immediate floodwaters and short-term impacts.
Studies warn After hurricanes pass, people can experience long-term health problems, including respiratory illness, worsening chronic conditions, pregnancy complications, and increased rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
What are the health risks of flood water?
Floodwaters can contain a variety of contaminants, including bacteria, chemicals, oil, petrochemicals, and sewage, all of which pose serious health risks.
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“One of the things that we also worry about with brackish areas is that there are very aggressive bacteria…so if someone goes into the water, especially with open wounds or if they are immunocompromised, that also puts them particularly at risk for disease.” “Different.” “Types of skin infections,” Rivkees said.
“So, if someone is in the water and they have a cut and they start seeing redness around it, they should get immediate medical attention for that.”
There is also an increased risk of allergies and asthma due to stagnant water in the area. Damp buildings and wet objects can promote the growth of mold and bacteria, which can trigger allergic reactions and lead to the development or worsening of asthma.
Heavy rains from Hurricane Helen cause record flooding and damage on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America He warned that mold can grow in unexpected places after a flood and will not simply go away as the water dries up. They can thrive inside furniture or under carpets, making them difficult to detect.
To address this risk, the organization recommends wearing a mask when returning to your home after a flood, disposing of any items that have been submerged in water, and considering hiring professional cleaners for the cleanup.
Besides mold and bacteria, floodwaters present another major danger, especially in Florida. This could lead to an increase in mosquito populations and may invite venomous snakes into your home or yard, Rivkees warned.
“When these storms come, they disrupt the natural environment. There are a number of venomous snakes in Florida. The water moccasins are the thing that concerns us. They will go into the brush piles, so when people are clearing brush and removing debris, that’s something they have to be conscious of.” Extremely.
Contaminated drinking water
After a hurricane, floodwaters often mix with sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste. This contamination can lead to the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites in the water supply, making it unfit for drinking. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated on its website.
She warned that this polluted water can cause a variety of health problems, such as stomach and intestinal infections, diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory diseases, hepatitis, dysentery, and anemia.
During a hurricane, it can also damage water treatment plans, allowing contaminants to enter drinking water supplies, Rivkees warned. This, combined with the fact that access to clean drinking water is often severely restricted after a hurricane due to damaged infrastructure, can force people to rely on unsafe sources, increasing the risk of disease.
“This is why it is recommended that individuals make sure they have at least a gallon of water stored per person per day during a storm,” he said.
“Some cities will preemptively shut off their water supply. So it’s very important to listen to what city officials say about drinking water. Some cities will say it’s safe to drink and other cities will issue a boil water advisory for that.”
Other health risks associated with hurricanes are related to downed power lines, Rivkees said.
After Hurricane Milton struck Florida on Wednesday evening, more than three million people were left without power due to thousands of downed power lines.
Power lines hidden in floodwaters can pose a significant electrical shock risk, as standing water may become electrically charged from submerged downed lines or underground lines that are still there, Rivkees said. This creates a significant risk to anyone who comes into contact with the water.
“Even if the power goes out, some people will be able to generate solar power. And even though the main feed from power stations may be down, you can actually have the feed coming from home-generated solar panels into the water which contributes to the risk of electrocution as well.”
A power pole lies on the ground after being snapped in half after what appears to be a tornado passed through the area before Hurricane Milton arrived on October 09, 2024, in Fort Myers, Florida. People are bracing for the storm, which could be a Category 3 storm when it makes landfall Wednesday evening.
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Hurricanes also have long-term health effects that persist even after the storm has passed.
For example, Rivkees explained that hurricanes can disrupt people’s routine medical care, especially for those with chronic diseases.
Many individuals may not be able to keep their regular medical appointments and may have difficulty accessing necessary medications.
“In terms of the mental health consequences, people’s lives are being disrupted here and some families will suffer horrific tragedies. Schools will be disrupted. Work will be disrupted. Some people will lose their homes and property, and there will be a mental health toll that we can really see after these storms,” he said.
