Staying Safe After Hurricane Ian: What You Need to Know

Hurricane Ian might be over but keeping your loved ones safe after the storm should remain a priority.

Lee Health’s Infectious Disease and Prevention team shares these tips to ensure everyone’s well-being and safety.

Keep away from floodwater

• Don’t drive in flooded areas—cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.
• Wash your hands with soap and water if you have been in floodwater. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer. Floodwater can contain many things that may harm health, including germs, dangerous chemicals, human and livestock waste, wild or stray animals, downed power lines, and other contaminants that can make you sick.
• Learn more on how to safely reenter your flooded home.

Be careful around damaged buildings

• Stay away from a damaged building until local authorities determine the building is safe.

Avoid power lines

• Watch out for fallen power lines that may be hanging overhead.
• Stay clear of fallen power lines.
• Learn more on how to protect yourself from electrical hazards after a disaster, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Drink safe water, toss unsafe food

• Discard food that possibly touched by flood or storm water. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells, and tastes normal. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Follow our tips for boil water notices.
• Learn more on how to keep food and water safe after a disaster, from the CDC.