HONOLULU
–
In
the
wake
of
Hurricane
Lala,
the
Hawaiʻi
Department
of
Health
urges
the
public
to
be
vigilant
about
health
risks
associated
with
heavy
rains,
high
winds
and
power
outages.
Major
storms
create
environmental
conditions
that
can
be
detrimental
to
public
health.
Please
keep
these
safety
guidelines
in
mind
as
you
clean
up
from
the
storm:

Statewide
Brown
Water
Advisory

A
statewide
Brown
Water
Advisory
remains
in
effect
because
of
heavy
rainfall
and
storm
runoff.
Residents
should
stay
out
of
brown
or
discolored
coastal
waters
and
streams.
After
storms
or
heavy
rain,
the
water
may
contain
higher
than
normal
pollutant
levels.
The
department
recommends
staying
out
of
these
affected
waters
for
48-72
hours
after
the
rain
has
stopped
and
after
the
beach
has
received
full
sunshine.

Power
Outages
and
Food
Safety

Food
may
not
be
safe
after
a
power
outage
—
even
if
it
looks
or
smells
normal.
Discard
food
that
has
come
in
contact
with
flood
water
and
throw
out
any
perishable
food
above
40°F.
Never
taste
food
to
determine
if
it
is
safe.

When
in
doubt,
throw
it
out!

Food
guidelines:

• Refrigerated
  food lasts
  less
  than
  four
  hours without
  power.
• Frozen
  food
  lasts:
  • Up
    to
    24
    hours
    in
    a
    half-full
    freezer
  • Up
    to
    48
    hours
    in
    a
    full
    freezer
    (if
    unopened)
  • Frozen
    food
    that
    still
    contains
    ice
    crystals
    and
    never
    thawed
    doesn’t
    require
    disposal

Floodwater
Safety

Avoid
wading
or
swimming
in
stormwater
runoff
or
flood
waters.
Don’t
drink
from
freshwater
streams
or
ponds,
which
can
contain
the
bacteria
that
causes
leptospirosis.
If
you
come
into
contact
with
floodwater:

• Wash
  exposed
  skin
  with
  soap
  and
  clean
  water
  as
  soon
  as
  possible.
• Use
  alcohol-based
  wipes
  or
  sanitizer
  if
  clean
  water
  is
  unavailable.
• Clean
  and
  cover
  any
  wounds
  and
  seek
  medical
  care
  if
  needed.
• Wash
  contaminated
  clothing
  in
  hot
  water
  with
  detergent
  before
  reuse.

Mosquito
Control

Standing
water
after
flooding
can
increase
mosquito
populations.

• Drain
  standing
  water
  from
  containers,
  tarps,
  gutters
  and
  catchment
  systems.
• Cover
  water
  storage
  containers.
• Use
  EPA-registered
  insect
  repellent
  and
  wear
  protective
  clothing.
• Repair
  window
  and
  door
  screens.

Mosquitoes
in
Hawai‘i
can
carry
diseases
such
as
dengue,
chikungunya
and
Zika.
While
these
diseases
are
not
currently
present
in
Hawaiʻi,
controlling
mosquitoes
is
the
best
way
to
prevent
them
from
occurring.

Handling
Electric
Vehicle
Batteries
After
a
Flood

Electric
or
hybrid
vehicle
batteries
that
have
been
submerged
in
flood
water
may
be
damaged.
A
damaged
battery
might
show
signs
like
smoke
or
unusual
noises,
but
sometimes
there
are
no
obvious
warning
signs.
If
you
think
your
battery
was
damaged
by
flooding:

• Do
  not
  try
  to
  charge
  or
  drive
  the
  vehicle
  until
  it
  has
  been
  inspected
  by
  a
  dealer
  or
  certified
  EV/hybrid
  mechanic.
  Stay
  away
  from
  the
  vehicle.
• Do
  not
  store
  the
  vehicle
  indoors
  or
  near
  buildings,
  because
  it
  could
  catch
  fire
  or
  release
  hazardous
  gases.

Mold

Mold
growth
can
begin
quickly
after
flooding
and
may
pose
health
risks.
Any
indoor
mold
should
be addressed
promptly:

• 
  Wear
  protective
  gear
  such
  as
  gloves,
  N-95
  masks,
  boots
  and
  eye
  protection
  during
  cleanup.

• Before
  cleaning, lightly
  spray
  moldy
  surfaces
  with
  a
  soapy
  solution to
  reduce
  airborne
  particles.
• 
  Clean
  with
  soap
  and
  water,
  then
  disinfect
  using
  a
  bleach
  solution
  (1
  cup
  bleach
  to
  1
  gallon
  of
  water).
  Open
  windows
  and
  doors
  first
  and
  air
  out
  room
  after
  cleaning.
  Never
  mix
  bleach
  with
  other
  cleaning
  products
  containing
  ammonia.
  Use
  as
  directed
  on
  label.
• Allow at
  least
  15
  minutes
  of
  contact
  time,
  then
  rinse
  and
  dry
  thoroughly.
• 
  Discard
  materials
  that
  cannot
  be
  safely
  cleaned, including
  carpets,
  mattresses,
  upholstery
  and
  other
  porous
  items
  wet
  for
  more
  than
  24–48
  hours,
  or
  items
  that
  cannot
  be
  laundered
  or
  disinfected.

When
to
Seek
Medical
Care

Seek
medical
attention
if
you
experience:

• Signs
  of
  wound
  infection
  (redness,
  swelling,
  drainage,
  fever)
• Persistent
  cough,
  wheezing,
  or
  breathing
  difficulty
• Vomiting,
  diarrhea,
  or
  stomach
  pain
  after
  exposure
• Fever,
  headache,
  rash,
  or
  joint
  pain
  after
  mosquito
  bites
  or
  floodwater
  exposure
• A
  tetanus
  booster
  may
  be
  recommended
  for
  contaminated
  wounds.

Monitor
Mental
Health

Recovery
after
flooding
can
be
emotionally
taxing.
Seek
support
if
experiencing
anxiety,
depression,
or
trauma-related
symptoms.
Hawaiʻi
CARES
is
available
24/7
by
calling
or
texting
988.

For
more
detailed
information
and
resources
about
staying
safe
and
cleaning
up
after
the
storm,
visit:

https://health.hawaii.gov/response-center/emergency/hurricane-preparedness/

#
#
#