Fond du Lac — Fond du Lac County Health Department and Fond du Lac Emergency Management is reminding residents on how to stay safe during flooding events. “Everyone is encouraged to have multiple sources to receive emergency alerts,” said John Ross, Emergency Management Director, “these can include NOAA All-Hazards Radio, local TV and radio as well as cell phone apps among others. If you live in areas that are prone to flooding, remain alert to changing conditions and move to a place of safety quickly.”
Follow these tips to prepare before a flood:
Stock an emergency supply kit. Kits should include a three-day supply of non-perishable, ready to eat food, water, cell phone and charger, flashlight and batteries, can opener, first aid kit, extra cash, and a change of clothes.
Move electronics off the floor. If there is an active flood warning, move electric appliances off the floor and make sure your sump pump is working and has a battery-operated backup.
Consider adding flood insurance. Standard insurance policies generally don’t cover flooding. Flood insurance is available for homeowners, renters, and business owners through the National Flood Insurance Program. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage for things such as sewer backups as they may not be covered on all policies.
Follow these tips during and after a flood:
Do not drive through flood waters. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a car. When you encounter flood water, turn around, don’t drown.
Stay out of flood waters. Flood water can contain bacteria, sewage, sharp objects, and other dangerous items.
Drain basements slowly. Basements containing standing water should be emptied gradually – no more than 2-3 inches per day. If a basement is drained too quickly, the water pressure outside the walls will be greater than the water pressure inside, which may cause the basement floor and walls to crack and collapse.
Shut off electrical power if you suspect damage to your home. Even if the damage isn’t easily seen, shut off electrical power, natural gas and propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions.
Use battery-powered lanterns to light homes rather than candles. Candles could trigger an explosion if there is a gas leak.
Use generators at least 20 feet from your home. Generators create carbon monoxide. In enclosed spaces, the carbon monoxide can build up and cause sickness or death.
Throw out food if you can’t be sure it’s safe. Throw out any refrigerated food if your power was out for four hours or more. If frozen foods still have ice crystals, they can be refrozen. Any food that was touched by floodwaters— even canned food— should be thrown out. For infants, use ONLY pre-prepared canned baby formula that requires no added water, rather than powdered formulas prepared with treated water.
Look out for mold. Follow the recommended steps for cleaning mold growth.
Check your water supply. If you have municipal water, run your faucet for at least five minutes before using it. If you have a well that touched flood water, follow steps to disinfect it.
For more information on flood hazards, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ Flood Hazards and Recovery page.
For private well water testing:
Fond du Lac County Health Department has bacteria well water testing kits available for county residents for $22.00 at time of drop off. Well water testing bottles can be picked up at Fond du Lac County Health Department, 160 S. Macy Street, Fond du Lac, WI, Monday-Friday from 8am-4:30pm.
Well water samples must be submitted in these bottles to the Fond du Lac County Health Department within 24 hours of collecting the water sample. The Fond du Lac County Health Department only accepts samples on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 8am-3:30pm. For more information on private well water testing, please call Fond du Lac County Health Department at 920-929-3085.
For clean-up kits:
Waupun Fire Department has clean up kits available for Waupun residents at no cost.
Clean up kits can be picked up by appointment only at Waupun Fire Department at 16 E Main Street, Waupun, WI. Please call 920-324-7910 to arrange a pick up time. If you are not a Waupun area resident and need a clean-up kit, please call Fond du Lac County Emergency Management at 920-929-2911.
