Flood cleanup can bring health risks. Standing flood water can contain human waste or trash filled with contaminants or bacteria. That can cause infections or gastrointestinal illness. It’s also possible to slip on mud and get injured.
Scott Lockard is the public health director for the Kentucky River District Health Department, which serves six southeastern Kentucky counties. He says it’s important to wear protective material during cleanup.
“Just taking universal precautions, you know, wearing protective equipment, gloves, face coverings,” Lockard said. “If you're pressure washing down something, make sure that you're using a cover over your eyes and face to try to prevent any of that overspray from getting into your mouth and so on.”
He says flooding can also be taxing on mental health, and to not be shy about speaking up.
“We interviewed a lot of people after the 2022 floods, and a lot of them reported anxiety, depression, you know, just a whole host of mental health issues, having trouble sleeping, being more anxious about things, and this has brought all that back,” he said.
Lockard says to reach out to a mental health provider or a therapist if needed. He also says to call 988 when going through a mental health crisis.
More flood safety tips can be found here.
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