MSDH Urges Preparedness for Hurricane Francine

Jackson, Miss. — Mississippi is expected to feel the effects of Hurricane Francine Wednesday evening through Thursday. The main threats are very heavy rain, which could lead to flooding, and high winds with the potential for spin-up tornadoes that may cause power outages. The Mississippi State Department of Health, working closely with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, is asking residents and visitors to be prepared.

Flooding

If you live in a flood-prone area in the affected regions, get to higher ground. If told to evacuate, do so immediately, disconnecting utilities and appliances, and return home only after authorities say it is safe.

• Stay away from floodwaters because they may contain sewage, sharp items and chemicals that can make you ill.
• Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. Stop; Turn around; Don’t Drown.
• Seek necessary medical care at your nearest hospital. Food, clothing, shelter and first aid are available at Red Cross shelters.
• Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches, to examine buildings since flammables may be inside.

After you return home:

• Dry your home and everything in it as soon as possible. If you cannot return to dry your home within 24-48 hours, you should assume you have mold growth. When it is safe to return home, completely dry everything, clean up the mold and make sure you don’t still have a moisture problem.
• Wear proper protective equipment, including a mask, during cleanup.
• Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas. Electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.
• Keep wet areas well-ventilated. Throw away wet materials that can’t be repaired or dried.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Gasoline, propane, natural gas and charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, tent or camper, or outside near an open window. Because carbon monoxide can’t be seen or smelled, it can kill you quickly. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak, get fresh air immediately.

Food Safety

Due to power loss, food may not be safe to eat during and after a hurricane. Safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled or treated water.

• Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water.
• Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• Throw away foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs) that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (F) for two hours or more.
• Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened or damaged. Thawed food that contains ice crystals or is 40 degrees F or below can be refrozen or cooked.
• Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater, because they cannot be disinfected.
• While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• Never place any type of food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry or seafood.
• Thoroughly wash your hands before preparing or eating food, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, after handling uncooked food, after playing with a pet, after handling garbage, after tending to someone who is sick or injured, after blowing your nose and after coughing or sneezing.

Drinking Water Safety

Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled or treated water. Remember these general rules concerning water for drinking and cooking if you are under a boil-water alert, or if you are not sure your water is safe to drink:

• Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash or prepare food or make ice.
• Tap water may be used for showering, baths, shaving or washing, as long as one does not swallow the water or allow it in eyes or mouth. Parents should supervise children to make sure water is not ingested, and caregivers should supervise disabled individuals for the same reason. Those with recent surgical wounds, who have a chronic illness or are immunosuppressed should consider using bottled or boiled water for bathing until their boil water notice is lifted.
• Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for one minute will kill most organisms.
• Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets or by mixing eight drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let stand for about 30 minutes. Unlike boiling, this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and safety, go to https://msdh.ms.gov/storm