Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH)-related Emergencies & Outbreaks

Building & Facilities Damage

Health Risks

Returning home after a flood can increase your risk of exposure to mold, chemical hazards, and injuries.

Clean up and dry out buildings quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building.

CDC. Protect Yourself from Mold.
CDC. Mold Cleanup and Remediation.
Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute. Mold and Mildew.external icon

Be aware of potential chemical hazards during floods. Flood waters may have moved containers of hazardous chemicals from their normal storage places.

Electrical Hazards

Avoid downed power lines.

CDC. Protect Yourself and Others from Electrical Hazards After a Disaster.

Reentering Your Home

CDC. Reentering Your Flooded Home.
Ready.gov. Returning Home.external icon
The Alliance for Healthy Homes. Rebuilding Water-Damaged Homes. pdf icon[PDF – 105 pages]external icon

Cleaning Up

EPA. A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.external icon
CDC. Preventing Mold After A Disaster.
CDC. Mold After a Disaster.
CDC. Flood Water After a Disaster or Emergency.
CDC. Respiratory Recommendations for Reentering Flooded Homes.
The American Red Cross. Repairing Your Flooded Home. pdf icon[PDF – 56 pages]external icon
The American Red Cross. Returning Home After a Hurricane or Flood. pdf icon[PDF – 1 page]external icon

Page last reviewed: October 15, 2019

Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health

Healthy Water Sites

Healthy Water

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