Hamilton County Public Health on Monday warned residents in five east-side communities to guard against contaminated water, mold and electrical dangers as they clean up from Friday's flash floods. The advisory targets Indian Hill, Madeira, Mariemont, Terrace Park and Sycamore Township.

The warning came as the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati reported receiving more than 900 reports of sewer backups and basement flooding across the region. The National Weather Service forecast additional strong storms, including possible flooding, for Tuesday, July 21, giving residents added urgency to secure damaged areas.

"Water from flash flooding or sewer backups … is going to be contaminated water, and it can be very destructive," MSD Director Diana Christy said Monday.

Power and electrical safety

Before touching any appliance or outlet that got wet, turn off main power switches, the health department's fact sheet states. Air out and wipe dry all electrical equipment before use. Check that fuel oil or gas system tanks are secure and all lines are free from breaks.

Do not turn on a flooded HVAC system. Hamilton County Public Health warns that running a water-damaged heating and cooling system will spread mold throughout the house. Have it inspected and cleaned by a professional experienced in mold remediation first.

Contaminated water

Flood water carries bacteria, fecal material, viruses and other disease-causing organisms, according to the health department. Keep it away from your mouth, nose, eyes and skin. Wash hands frequently while working in affected areas.

Discard all food exposed to flood water, including refrigerator and freezer contents. Throw out bulging or leaking canned goods.

Do not let children play in contaminated water or help with cleanup.

Mold prevention

Mold can trigger asthma episodes and allergic reactions, and it spreads fast in damp conditions. The health department recommends opening all windows, running electric fans and using dehumidifiers to dry out affected spaces as quickly as possible.

For sewage backups, wear rubber boots, gloves, an N95 respirator, and goggles. Keep cuts and sores covered. Avoid direct skin contact with sewer water.

Sanitize floors and surfaces that touched flood water with a solution of 1 tablespoon of household liquid bleach per 1 gallon of water. Never mix cleaning products.

Carpets with light contamination can be cleaned in place with mild detergent. Severely affected carpets should be removed, and carpet liners generally must be discarded because they cannot be adequately cleaned.

Resources

Hamilton County Public Health can be reached at 513-946-7800. The full flood cleanup fact sheet is available on the department's website. Parts of the region received up to five inches of rainfall Friday.