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HURRICANES 

FACTSHEET 

Key Facts About Hurricane Recovery 

How to Store Food Safely 

Your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about 4 hours without power if it is unopened. Add block or dry

ice to your refrigerator if the electricity will be off longer than four hours.

Thawed food can usually be eaten if it is still "refrigerator cold," or re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals.

Discard any food that has been at temperatures greater than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours or more, 

and any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. 

While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food 

cold for as long as possible.

If the power is out for longer than 4 hours, follow the guidelines below:

• Use dry ice, if available. 25 pounds of dry ice will keep a ten-cubic-foot freezer below freezing for 

3-4 days. Use care when handling dry ice, and wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury. 

• For the freezer section: A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours. A full

freezer will hold food safely for 48 hours. Do not open the freezer door if you can avoid it. 

• For the refrigerated section: Pack milk, other dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, gravy, and spoilable 

leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice. Discard this food if it is held at a temperature greater 

than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours. 

• Use a digital quick-response thermometer to check the temperature of your food right before you 

cook or eat it. Throw away any food that has a temperature of more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 

For guidelines on refreezing food when the power comes back on, visit the Food Safety and Inspection 

Service’s page on “Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency.”

How to Make Sure Your Water Is Safe 

Hurricanes, especially if accompanied by a tidal surge or flooding, can contaminate the public water 

supply. Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. You cannot assume that the water in the 

hurricane-affected area is safe to drink.

Listen for public announcements about the safety of the municipal water supply. Use bottled water for 

eating or drinking. If you do not have bottled water, and are not sure that your tap water is safe, follow 

these directions to purify tap water:

• Boil the water vigorously (water should be bubbling and rolling) for 1 minute. 

• If you can’t boil water, add 6 drops of newly purchased, unscented liquid household bleach per 

gallon of water, stir it well, and then let the water stand for 30 minutes before you use it. Note that

using bleach will not kill parasitic organisms. 

• You also can use water-purifying tablets from your local pharmacy or sporting goods store. 

If there is flooding along with a hurricane, the waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage

systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, 
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pose a serious health risk, there is risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with 

floodwater. 

Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas. Wash children's hands frequently (always before meals),

and do not allow children to play with floodwater-contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. You 

can disinfect toys using a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water.

For more information about water purification after a hurricane or other weather emergency, please visit

CDC’s Web page on Hurricanes and Your Health and Safety.

How to Perform First Aid for Injuries

First aid is extremely important when exposure to waters potentially contaminated with human, animal, or 

toxic wastes. 

• Immediately clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. 

• Apply an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection. 

• If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. 

• If you are injured, contact a physician to determine the necessary type of treatment (for example, 

need for tetanus shot). 

How to Clean Mold from Your House 

Mold growth may be a problem after flooding. Excess moisture in the home is cause for concern about 

indoor air quality primarily because it provides breeding conditions for microorganisms.

EPA's Fact Sheet: Flood Cleanup: Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems - discusses steps to take when

cleaning and repairing a home after flooding. This fact sheet provides tips to avoid creating indoor air 

quality problems during cleanup. For more information on mold and health visit the National Center for 

Environmental Health (NCEH) page on Molds in the Environment.

How to Prevent Injury after a Hurricane 

When the wind and waters recede, people in the areas affected by a hurricane will continue to face a 

number of hazards associated with cleanup activities. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and 

Health (NIOSH) offers the following guidelines for preventing injury:

Wear Protective Gear 

For most work in flooded areas, wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with

steel toe and insole (not just steel shank). 

 

Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise. Equipment such as chain 

saws, backhoes, and dryers may cause ringing in the ears and subsequent hearing damage.

Beware of Electrical Hazards

• If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the 

power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until

electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. 

• Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain 

that the power is off. NEVER handle a downed power line. 
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• When using gasoline and diesel generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker 

or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator. 

• If clearing or other work must be performed near a downed power line, contact the utility company

to discuss de-energizing and grounding or shielding of power lines. Extreme caution is necessary

when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact. 

If you are working on or near power lines, refer to the additional recommendations provided from the 

Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work from NIOSH.

Avoid Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous to breathe. During flood cleanup, operate 

all gasoline-powered devices such as pumps, generators, and pressure washers outdoors and never bring 

them indoors. This will help to ensure your safety from carbon monoxide poisoning.

For additional information on carbon monoxide, see Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Questions and 

Answers About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (from CDC's National Center for Environmental Health 

[NCEH]).

Prevent Musculoskeletal Injury 

Special attention is needed to avoid back injuries associated with manual lifting and handling of debris and 

building materials.

To help prevent injury: 

• Use teams of two or more to move bulky objects.

• Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person)

• Use proper automated-assist lifting devices

Beware of Structural Instability

Never assume that water-damaged structures or ground are stable. Buildings that have been submerged 

or have withstood rushing flood waters may have suffered structural damage and could be dangerous. 

• Don't work in or around any flood-damaged building until it has been examined and certified as 

safe for work by a registered professional engineer or architect. 

• Assume all stairs, floors, and roofs are unsafe until they are inspected. 

• Leave immediately if shifting or unusual noises signal a possible collapse. 

Avoid Hazardous Materials 

Flood waters can dislodge tanks, drums, pipes, and equipment, which may contain hazardous materials 

such as pesticides or propane. 

• Do not attempt to move unidentified dislodged containers without first contacting the local fire 

department or hazardous materials team. 

• If working in potentially contaminated areas, avoid skin contact or inhalation of vapors by wearing 

appropriate protective clothing and respirators. 

• Frequently and thoroughly wash skin areas that may have been exposed to pesticides and other 

hazardous chemicals. 

• Contact NIOSH for more information on the proper safety equipment. 
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Be Prepared for Fires 

Fire can pose a major threat to an already badly damaged flood area for several reasons: 

• Inoperative fire protection systems. 

• Hampered fire department response. 

• Inoperable firefighting water supplies. 

• Flood-damaged fire protection systems. 

At least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, should be provided at every cleanup 

job.

Prevent Drowning

When entering moving water, you are at risk for drowning, regardless of your ability to swim. Because 

those in vehicles are at greatest risk of drowning, it is important to comply with all hazard warnings on 

roadways and to avoid driving vehicles or heavy equipment into water of an unknown depth. NIOSH 

recommends that you avoid working alone and wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when working in 

or near flood waters.

Reduce Risk of Thermal Stress 

While cleaning up after the hurricane, you are at risk for developing health problems from working in hot 

or cold environments.

To reduce heat-related risks:

• Drink a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes. 

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing 

• Work during the cooler hours of the day. 

To reduce cold–related when standing or working in water which is cooler than 75 degrees F (24 degrees 

C):

• Wear rubber boots. 

• Ensure that clothing and boots have adequate insulation. 

• Take frequent breaks out of the water. 

• Change into dry clothing when possible. 

For more information on coping with these risks, visit Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work from NIOSH.

Prevent Fatigue-Related Injuries 

Continued long hours of work, combined with exhaustion, can create a highly stressful situation during 

cleanup. People working on hurricane and flood cleanup can reduce their risks of injury and illness in

several ways: 

• Set priorities for cleanup tasks and pace the work. Avoid physical exhaustion. 

• Resume a normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible. 

• Be alert to emotional exhaustion or strain. Consult family members, friends or professionals for 

emotional support. 
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How to Cope with Stress after a Hurricane 

The days and weeks after a hurricane are going to be rough. In addition to your physical health, you need 

to take some time to consider your mental health as well. Remember that some sleeplessness, anxiety, 

anger, hyperactivity, mild depression, or lethargy are normal, and may go away with time. If you feel any 

of these symptoms acutely, seek counseling.

Your state and local health departments will help you find the local resources, including hospitals or health

care providers that you may need.

Individual responses to a threatening or potentially-traumatic event may vary. Emotional reactions may 

include feelings of fear, grief and depression. Physical and behavioral responses might include nausea, 

dizziness, and changes in appetite and sleep pattern, as well as withdrawal from daily activities. 

Responses to trauma can last for weeks to months before people start to feel normal again.

Seek medical care if you become injured, feel sick, or experience stress and anxiety.

There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events, including:

• Keep as many elements of your normal routine incorporated into the disaster plans as possible, 

including activities to allay children’s fears. 

• Be aware that you may have fewer resources to attend to your day-to-day conflicts, so it is best to

resolve what you can ahead of time. 

• Turn to family, friends, and important social or religious contacts to set-up support networks to

help deal with the potential stressors. 

• Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens. 

• Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making judgments. 

Dealing with Wild and Domestic Animals in a Disaster 

Be cautious of wild or stray animals. They may be disoriented and dangerous following a hurricane or 

flood. Try to confine the animal without getting at risk of being bitten. Call the Animal Control agency in 

your county.

Wild and domestic animals may escape or be killed in disasters. Escaped animals may wander onto land

where they could:

• contaminate water supplies 

• cause a build-up of manure 

• overgraze sensitive ecosystems 

• cause damage to crops 

Decaying carcasses create biologic waste and attract flies and rodents, which can spread disease. They 

may also contaminate groundwater and cause bad odors.

Animal carcasses should be disposed of as soon as possible to avoid creating a health hazard to animals or 

humans.

Contact your local animal control department or local health department for specific disposal guidance.

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov, or call the CDC public response hotline 

at (888) 246-2675 (English), (888) 246-2857 (español), or (866) 874-2646 (TTY).