Flooding and your health

When we think of flooding, we often picture the obvious dangers like injuries or infections form dirty water. But floods can also bring unexpected health risks. Contaminated water can spread stomach bugs, damp homes encourage mould that worsens breathing problems, and the stress of losing homes or services can affect mental health. 

The health risks which can be associated with flooding may include:

• Drowning
• Skin infections linked to exposure of contaminated water
• Diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach cramps due to contaminated water
• Carbon monoxide poisoning which may occur during flood clear-ups.
• Decline in mental health and emotional well-being
• Respiratory disease from mould and damp following a flood
• Rodent-borne disease

Some groups of people will be at greater risk of health effects due to flooding than others, this would include:

• Older adults
• People with pre-existing mental health conditions
• People with chronic illness or with physical, sensory or cognitive impairments
• Young children
• People from a poorer background
• Those affected by homelessness
• People with language and culture-based barriers

Although infections from floodwater are rare in the UK, you can reduce risk by:

• Washing hands thoroughly
  Keeping cuts clean and covered with waterproof plasters
  Avoiding food that has been in contact with floodwater or sewage

Recovering from a flood can be stressful and exhausting. It is normal to feel upset, anxious, tired or have trouble sleeping when life is disrupted. For most people, these feelings improve over time, but a small number may develop longer-term mental health problems if they don’t get support.

UK Health Security Agency recommends:

• Take care of your basic health needs: eat regularly, try to get enough sleep and take time to rest.
• Check in with yourself and ask how you're feeling.
• Start clean-up efforts within your home when you feel ready, and don’t overdo it.
• Talk to friends, family, neighbours or community groups if you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

If you have concerns about your own or others’ mental health, or your distress continues over an extended period of time, visit your GP or call NHS 111, who can help to offer support. Further information and support for mental health can be found at www.healthysuffolk.org.uk/healthy-you/mental-health-and-emotional-wellbeing

The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have produced some very helpful guidance and information which can help you to know how to respond to flooding in Suffolk. To view this information visit: www.suffolk.gov.uk/suffolk-fire-and-rescue-service/fire-and-rescue-safety-advice-in-the-community/what-to-do-in-a-flood

There is further support available for people and businesses in Suffolk that have been impacted by flooding too. Whilst much of the work of recovery will be handled locally by your district and borough council, there are some general sources of help and support which are available to all regardless of where you live in Suffolk. Find out more at: www.suffolk.gov.uk/about/flood-recovery-information-for-suffolk

The Suffolk Resilience Forum is a multi- agency group that provides guidance and support during a major incident. They have lots of great information regarding flooding which can be found at suffolkprepared.co.uk/get-prepared/risk-advice/flooding/

The clean up after a flood is important to help prevent disease and illness for you and your family. 

You should only enter a property when the water level has dropped and it is safe to do so.

It is important to take steps to protect your health when cleaning your home. You should:

• Wear personal protective equipment such as rubber boots, protective overalls or waterproof apron, and waterproof gloves.
• Wash your hands with warm water and soap after each cleaning session and contact with flood water. If you are experiencing water disruption, use bottled water to wash your hands.
• Be careful with electrical and gas. It is advised not to turn on gas or electricals if they may have become wet. Only turn them on when they have been checked by a qualified technician.
• Disinfect or throw away items that have been in contact with flood water
• Make sure your home is well ventilated, to help dry it out and prevent mould.

For more guidance about cleaning up after a flood, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/flooding-and-health-public-advice/flooding-and-health-advice-for-the-public