Hurricane Ian: UF/IFAS offers up tips to help keep you safe during and after the storm
With Hurricane Ian already bearing down on Florida, many residents may be concerned about its impacts on property and local infrastructure in the Alachua County region.
But what about your health and that of those around you?
Here are some things to consider during and after the storm.
UF's Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences
Experts from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences remind residents that most refrigerators without power can keep food safe from developing food-borne pathogens, such as salmonella and escherichia coli (E. coli), for about four hours and freezers can keep food safe for approximately 48 hours.
UF experts say it’s much more likely that the food will just develop spoilage and that you won’t want to eat it. Spoilage organisms might make food gross, they said, but the organisms are not usually dangerous.
"They may make things taste sour," said Dr. Keith Schneider, a UF/IFAS food safety expert, in a news release. "They may make things taste slimy, but not necessarily are going to cause food-borne illness."
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UF/IFAS experts also warn that private wells can be contaminated if they’re surrounded or submerged by floodwaters. Always assume the worst after a flooding event and get your water tested by a certified lab before using it.
"Please keep in mind, boiling water is only effective for bacterial contamination," said Dr. Yilin Zhuang, a UF/IFAS water resources regional specialized agent, in a news release. "If you have any other organic or inorganic contaminates, boiling water will not remove contaminates. It may only concentrate those contaminates.”
Mosquitos after Hurricane Ian
About two weeks after the storm, residents may find themselves facing a different storm. Floodwaters left in Hurricane Ian's wake will likely result in a substantial increase to the mosquito population.
UF entomologists say rainfall and flooding events can trigger thousands of mosquito eggs to hatch and begin developing at the same time, leading to swarms of mosquitoes.
Experts recommend cleaning up as quickly as possible around the outside of your home and remember to dump any containers such as the bases of flowerpots, old pools, or old tires that may have filled with rainwater.
"But usually from the egg to the adult form it’s about two weeks," said Dr. Estelle Martin, a UF/IFAS entomologist," in a news release. "So you will start to see an increase in the mosquito population about two weeks after major rainfall events.”
More tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Other helpful tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
• Don’t drive in flooded areas — cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.
• If the power is out, use flashlights instead of candles. If you have to use candles, keep them away from anything that can catch fire. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure your family knows how to use it.
• Never use portable gasoline or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves inside your home, basement, or garage. Keep it outside and at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
• Watch out for fallen power lines that may be hanging overhead. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Call the electric company to report them.
• A smartphone is a lifeline for most people. Make sure it stays powered up during an outage by purchasing a power bank or backup battery.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Hurricane Ian: How to stay safe during and after a storm
