Water, water everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink. -Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Coleridge-
FACT: Floods are the 2nd highest killer among all disasters worldwide
TOP 5 FLOOD THREATS
Drowning
Injuries, mostly during cleanup
Loss of safe water and adequate sanitation
Loss of food and shelter
Toxic exposures (e.g. chemicals, mold)
TOP 5 FLOOD MYTHS
Epidemics will occur. Although often reported in poor nations, epidemics are very rare in the developed world.
Mass vaccination is necessary. (don’t risk complications from a “flood shot” given outside of routine recommendations)
Mosquito control is necessary. (don’t waste money spraying in absence of identified disease in the vector)
It’s all over in a few months. (It takes years, sometimes decades to recover from a flood
It’s safe after waters are gone. Many flood-related deaths occur during recovery as a result of burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, falls and electrocutions
Read the entire book chapter : Keim M. Flood Disasters. In Eds., Koenig K, Schultz C. Disaster Medicine. Cambridge University Press. New York, NY. 2010 p 529-54
