Flooding

Be prepared in case of flooding

From storm surges to hurricanes, flooding can be a destructive and challenging emergency situation to experience. Lee Health is committed to helping you make a plan for your health and safety during flooding.

Resources & Helpful Links
Lee Health is here to help you find resources and information to stay safe in emergent situations.
Emergency Action Plan
An emergency action plan is an important part of ensuring your safety in an emergency. Read more for helpful information to stay safe.

What to do in case of flooding:

Flooding can be a dangerous and stressful situation. Here are some steps you can take in case of flooding:

Stay informed: Keep track of weather forecasts and flood warnings issued by local authorities. Listen to emergency broadcasts and follow their instructions.
Evacuate if necessary: If you are instructed to evacuate, do so immediately. Don't wait until it's too late. Grab your emergency kit and go to a safe place.
Move to higher ground: If you can't evacuate, move to a higher floor or a roof. Don't try to wade through floodwaters, as they can be dangerous and contaminated.
Turn off utilities: Turn off electricity, gas, and water at the main switch or valve to prevent electrical shock, gas leaks, and water damage.
Move valuable items: Move important items to higher ground or take them with you if you evacuate.
Avoid contact with floodwaters: Floodwaters can contain dangerous debris, chemicals, and bacteria. Avoid contact with floodwaters, and don't let children play in them.
Wait for the all-clear: Don't return home until local authorities give the all-clear. Be cautious when returning, as floodwaters may have caused damage to roads, bridges, and buildings.

Remember that flooding can be unpredictable, and it's essential to stay vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.

Local Government

Lightning Safety Tips

It’s the summer sound you can’t avoid in Florida. “If it’s thundering, it’s going to lightning,” said Lee Health Injury Prevention Resource Coordinator Syndi Bultman.

The sunshine state averages 70 to 100 days with thunderstorms a year. “When you can hear it roar, you need to get inside,” said Bultman. Lightning can be deadly, and unfortunately, “Lightning strikes happen quite often. More than what we think.”

Syndi Bultman said when the storms start rolling in, “Don’t want to be by any body of water, don’t want to be on top of the hill, or out in the open. You want to get into a secure safe shelter.” Just because you’re inside, it doesn’t mean you’re perfectly safe. “Don’t stand by your windows and doors, don’t stand out on your covered patio, or in your garage or in your carport.”

Bultman said don’t shower or do dishes by hand when it’s storming. If you can’t find shelter and a storm is imminent, “You can get down into a crouching position and cover your head and your ears, because that only leaves your feet touching the ground.” Lightning can travel 10-12 miles from a thunderstorm, so if you can hear thunder, you’re too close and you need to get inside.

View More Health Matters video segments at LeeHealth.org/Healthmatters/

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Lee Health - Caring People. Inspiring Care.

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Make a Plan with your Physician in Case of Flooding

FIND A DOCTOR

If you have a medical condition that requires ongoing treatment using medical equipment powered by electricity or medicines that require refrigeration, it is important to consult your physician BEFORE a natural disaster.

Helpful Resources Related to Flooding

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Skin Infections