Floodwaters in Florida are Dangerous and Toxic Due to Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian tore through southwestern Florida recently, and communities are grappling to handle all of the consequences of the storm. Homes and businesses were destroyed, baseboards are swollen, mold is present in homes, and now officials are warning that floodwaters in Florida are toxic and dangerous.

Source: NBC News/YouTube

There have been serious environmental concerns since Hurricane Ian hit Florida. There have been serious leaks of chemicals, sewage, and oil. Many of the spills are coming from gasoline storage as well as sunken vessels. A storage tank in Acadia that was filled with 400 gallons of gasoline was spilled into a local river, and boats that were damaged by the storm are releasing gasoline into the water. Gasoline and other toxic substances from cars were also washed from roads into the floodwaters and back into our waterways.

A water treatment facility in Polk county reported that 2,300 gallons of sodium hypochlorite leaked out of the facility during the storm, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Sodium hypochlorite is a disinfectant that can cause burns, blistering, eye damage, and inflammation.

The flooding has also released sewage into waterways as well. Over 357,000 gallons of waste reportedly flowed up out of manhole covers and went onto the beaches in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County urged people to take extra precautions if they have come in contact with any stormwater.

“Skin contact with flood waters may pose a serious health risk when waters become contaminated with bacteria and viruses,” a press release read. They were told to wash their skin and possessions if they came in contact with the water, and those with open wounds that touched water were encouraged to receive a tetanus vaccine.

How You Can Donate and Help:

A woman-led nonprofit Taller Salud is coordinating hurricane relief efforts and accepting donations from anything from nonperishable food, adult and baby diapers, gallons of water, toiletries, and more.

Nonprofit Global Giving has launched the “Hurricane Fiona Relief Fund,” and they aim to raise $1 million to help residents.

Puerto Rican mutual-aid group is asking for donations to get essentials for residents, like first-aid kits, water filters, solar lamps, and water purification tablets.

Related Content:

• Mold Wreaking Havoc on Homes in Florida After Hurricane Ian
• Hundreds of Animals Transported to New Jersey Amid Hurricane Fiona Aftermath in Puerto Rico
• Hurricane Ian Leaves Hard-Hit Florida Areas Without Safe Drinking Water
• How This Florida Rescue is Helping Animals Impacted by Hurricane Ian
• Puerto Rico Governor Requests Major Disaster Declaration Amid Destructive Hurricane Fiona

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