Area Health Departments Provide Flood Precautions

The Adams County Health Department along with the Pike County Health Department and the Hancock County Health Department want to encourage residents to be prepared and stay protected during encounters with flood waters.

Residents are reminded to stay out of flood waters. Do not travel or swim in flood waters. Also, do not use flood water for drinking, washing dishes, or preparing food.

Residents who use private drinking water wells should follow these steps if their well is affected by floodwaters.

Do not consume the well water. Flood waters may carry both biological and chemical contamination and chemical contamination cannot be boiled out.
Obtain water from a safe source for any consumption or food preparation.

After the floodwaters recede:

If your water is muddy or cloudy, run the water from an outside spigot until the water becomes clear and free of sediments.
Disinfect the well and plumbing system.
Verify the well is safe by testing the well for bacteria. Contact your county health department to obtain information about test kits.

Also, residents are reminded to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes that may cause disease.

 Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn.

 Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or other openings. Try to keep doors and windows shut, especially at night.

 When outdoors, wear shoes and socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.

 Apply insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR 3535, according to label instructions. Consult a physician before using repellents on infants.

For additional questions contact:

In Adams County: 217-277-2215

In Pike County: 217-285-4407

In Hancock County: 217-357-2171