High waters pose health hazards from drowning, infection, toxic chemicals

In Orlando, a broken 36-inch sewer force main and overflows caused by floodwater intruding into the sewer system from Hurricane Ian have spilled sewage into Lake Rowena and over some Orlando streets and yards.

It’s not exactly a sanitary situation.

Dr. Robert Karch, health officer for the Health Department in Orange County, points to the dangers of floodwater as a drowning hazard and a source of infection.

“Avoid all contact with potentially contaminated floodwater, and consider all floodwater potentially contaminated,” he said at a press conference Monday. “Avoid skin contact with floodwater, especially if you have open cuts and wounds.”

Karch says you should wash your body and change your clothes if you’ve been in floodwater. He says an exposed cut should be washed with soap and water and, if it gets infected, you should seek medical help.

Where home wells have been flooded, Karch says get the water tested before using it.