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    • What Florida Residents Should Know to Recover
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    What Florida Residents Should Know to Recover

    Mars Posted on

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    Hurricane Milton made landfall on Siesta Key as a Category 3 last night with sustained winds of 120 mph, weakening as it moved inland.

    Millions of residents have already reported serious damage to their property and communities. Here is a guide to helpful information as Florida residents begin the road to recovery with information from the Florida Department of Health.

    What is the Florida Assistance Information Line?

    The State Assistance Information Line at 800-342-3557 can provide additional resources for individuals in Florida to receive accurate, up-to-date information regarding emergencies.

    What to do if a boil water advisory has been issued

    • Boil it: Once the water reaches a strong boil, let it boil for a minute.
    • If you can’t boil it: Add 1/8 teaspoon or 8 drops of unscented household liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water. Mix well and wait 30 minutes or more before drinking.

    Obtain emergency prescription refills under certain conditions

    All health insurers, managed care organizations, and other healthcare entities must complete early prescription requests in the event the governor declares a state of emergency, in order to comply with the provisions of Section 252.358, Florida Statutes .

    This mandate remains in effect until the Governor’s executive order is rescinded or expires.

    Which counties are under a state of emergency?

    Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 51 counties earlier this week, on the eve of Hurricane Milton:

    Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lafayette, Lake , Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucia, Sumter, Suwanee, Taylor, Union and Volusia counties.

    What areas are affected by power outages after Hurricane Milton?

    How to Stay Safe During Storm Cleanup

    • Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves to protect against illness.
    • Do not mix household cleaners and disinfectants, such as bleach and ammonia.
    • Walls, hard floors and other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup bleach to 5 gallons of water.
    • Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, furniture and carpets. Wash all linens and clothes in hot water. Drywall and insulation exposed to water should be discarded.
    • Any items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded.
    • Chainsaws should only be used in safe conditions and by authorized professionals. If you’ve never used one, now is not the time to learn.

    Portable generators produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that can be fatal.

    Do not use a generator in your garage. Use all gas or charcoal fueled equipment outdoors and at least 20 feet from doors, windows, vents and air intakes.

    If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 or the Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.

    • Always assume that all overhead wires are live, or “live,” and at lethal voltages.
    • Never touch a fallen power line.
    • Have a qualified electrician inspect electrical equipment that has gotten wet to ensure that no water remains in the unit.
    • Do not drive through flooded areas.
    • Flood water can be contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Avoid skin contact with floodwaters, especially if you have cuts and open sores. Be sure to wash well with soap and clean water to prevent infection.
    • Avoid eating, drinking or touching anything that has been contaminated by floodwaters.
    • If you are unsure whether your tap water is safe, boil it or disinfect it.

    Food Safety: Taking Precautions to Keep Food Safe

    • If it’s been four hours or more, throw out all perishable foods in your refrigerator like meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk, and leftovers.
    • Throw away any food with an unusual smell, color or texture. DON’T TASTE IT to try to see if it’s still okay. Unsafe foods can make you sick even if they look and smell normal.
    • Foods in your refrigerator or cooler that are below 40 degrees should be able to be preserved.
    • You can safely refreeze or cook thawed frozen foods if they still have ice crystals or are 40 degrees or colder.

    Mold? Here’s how to stay safe while you dry and clean up after a storm

    Moisture that enters buildings from leaks or flooding accelerates mold growth.

    Mold can cause illness, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the storm. During cleaning, wear personal protective equipment such as N-95 masks, goggles, protective gloves and rubber boots.

    If your well is affected by floodwaters, there may be disease-causing organisms in your water, making it unsafe to drink. The Florida Department of Health recommends that you do one of the following:

    • Boil tap water and keep it boiling for at least a minute.
    • Disinfect tap water by adding eight drops of regular, unscented bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution and let sit for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy after 30 minutes, repeat the procedure one more time. If the cloudiness persists after the second treatment, discard the water and start the process again, or use bottled water.
    • Use commercially available bottled water.

    After a Flood: Learn more about how to test your well water. You can also have your water tested by a certified laboratory for coliform bacteria.

    If you have a septic tank in your home and your plumbing is sluggish or sluggish:

    • Minimize water consumption.
    • Do not have the septic tank pumped. Exceptionally high water tables could cause the surrounding area to collapse into a septic tank.
    • Consider renting a portable trash can.
    • Do not have the septic tank or drainfield repaired until the floodwaters have receded.

    Flooding and power outages can impact sewer systems.

    • When pump stations and wastewater treatment plants are off, avoid adding additional water to sewer lines.
    • Report any wastewater spills.
    • If sewage backs up into your home, wear foot coverings, such as rubber boots, and waterproof gloves while cleaning.
    • Thoroughly clean walls and floors, counters, refrigerators and surfaces.

    Everyone cleaning up after a storm should make sure their tetanus vaccination is up to date. Adults need a booster shot every 10 years to maintain protection. Tetanus, commonly known as tetanus, is a serious bacterial infection that can affect your ability to breathe and be life-threatening.

    • If you suffer a deep injury or cut, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
    • Clean wounds with soap, disinfectant, or bottled water.

    Commonly known as the “flesh-eating” bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus can be found in raw or undercooked seafood, salt water, and brackish water. These bacteria generally grow more quickly during warmer months and flooding can increase bacteria levels.

    Vibrio vulnificus can invade the bloodstream, causing serious, life-threatening illness with symptoms such as fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock), and skin lesions. If you experience any of these symptoms or wound infections, seek medical attention immediately.

    The risk of injury increases during and after a natural disaster. Floodwater and standing water pose several risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards and injuries. Prompt first aid can help heal small wounds and prevent infections.

    • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water, if possible.
    • Avoid touching the wound with your fingers during treatment. If possible, use disposable gloves.
    • Remove jewelry and obstructive clothing from the injured body part.
    • Apply direct pressure to any bleeding wound to control bleeding.
    • Clean the wound once the bleeding stops.
      • Check the wound for dirt and foreign bodies.
      • Gently flood the wound with bottled water or clean running water (if available, saline is best).
      • Gently clean around the wound with soap and clean water.
      • Dry and apply an adhesive bandage or a clean, dry cloth.
    • Leave unclean wounds, bites and punctures open. Wounds that are poorly cleaned can trap bacteria and lead to infection.
    • Provide pain medication when possible.
    • Monitor the wound every 24 hours for signs of infection. Seek medical attention if you feel or see: redness, swelling, oozing, fever, increasing pain, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, confusion or disorientation, or high heart rate.

    Mars
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