Rainfall Floods Sewers; County Offers Safety Tips

The City of Farmington's Dept. of Public Works assistant director Paul Smith said Friday local crews stayed busy this week dealing with the aftermath of heavy rains.

By Thursday morning, he said, "everything had pretty much gone down," but storm sewer lines were overwhelmed by torrential downpours. He said crews assisted 18 homeowners with water backed up into their basements.

And while the worst of the flooding is over, Smith said, "We still have a lot of water."

The Oakland County Health Division (OCHD) on Friday issued a list of safety precautions to reduce possible illness or injury as the result of local flooding:

Avoid floodwater and mosquitoes – It is important that everyone, especially children and animals, stay out of flooded areas, including streets and standing water. Floodwaters may have contaminates, such as raw sewage. Keep all pets and children out of flooded basements until the areas have been drained, washed, and disinfected. Prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts and by using insect repellents that contain DEET or Picaridin.

Remove food that is not safe to eat – Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Throw away canned foods that are bulging, opened, or damaged. Throw away food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture. Throw away perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been left out for two hours or more.

Clean up and prevent mold growth - Clean up and dry out the area within 24 to 48 hours. Open doors and windows or use fans, if available. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth, wear rubber gloves, open windows and doors, and clean with a bleach solution of one cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Throw away soaked items, carpet and upholstered furniture that cannot be dried quickly.

Beware of electrical and fire hazards - Never touch a fallen power line. Call the power company to report fallen power lines. Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities. If electrical circuits and equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, 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. Do not burn candles near flammable items or leave the candle unattended. If possible, use flashlights or other battery-operated lights instead of candles.