News Release

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May 31, 2013

For immediate release

For more information contact: Jeanette Budding 641-236-2590

Cleaning Up after Flood Water

Grinnell Regional Public Health announced that because Poweshiek County has been declared a disaster area, the state will provide Flood Clean Up Kits for residents at no charge.

Clean up kits are available by calling Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385. In addition, the public health office offers tetanus vaccinations.

The county public health also released cautions and recommendations for cleaning after the recent flood damage in the county, provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health. For a full list of preventive tips and cleaning recommendations from Iowa Department of Public Health, go to http://www.idph.state.ia.us/EmergencyResponse/Flooding.aspx.

“We emphasize safety in the clean up process following a natural disaster such as the intense rain of the Memorial Day weekend,” says Patty Hinrichs, Grinnell Regional Public Health director. “Key priorities are safety to prevent mold formation, safety with electricity, and prevention of disease with current tetanus vaccination.”

When first re-entering a home after flooding, never turn on or turn off power yourself. Avoid electrocution. Call your power company or an electrician to disconnect the power from the outside.

Dry out your house as soon as possible. Use wet-dry vacuum, fans, and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Have your home heating, ventilating and air-condition system check and cleaned by a professional before you turn it on to avoid spreading mold throughout the home.

To help prevent mold and mildew growth as well as decrease the changes of possible bacterial infection, clothing contaminated by flood water should be cleaned as soon as possible. Clothing and linen can be saved if it is washable. Contaminated clothing
should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothing. Use hot water, heavy-duty detergent and bleach, to combat any bacterial contamination. For colored clothing, use color safe bleach. If items cannot be washed properly, throw it away.
To clean items that are solid and not absorbing water, such as concrete, tile, and vinyl flooring, plastics, use a mild household detergent solution to clean them.

To clean small porous items (items that will absorb water) such as bedding, clothing, stuffed animals, residents should pre-soak in cold water before machine washing to remove mud. Then wash in hot water and detergent in washing machine. Add chlorine bleach to wash water. Tumble dry in a dryer or hang to dry in the sun.

Large porous items such as upholstered furniture, mattresses, wall-to-wall carpeting, that have been soaked by the flood must be discarded.

“The key to remember is if in doubt, throw it out. The risk of bacterial diseases from flood water can linger on surfaces if not cleaned thoroughly. Take careful precautions to avoid making yourself or family members ill,” Hinrichs says.

For information on clean up kits, vaccinations, or public health concerns, call Grinnell Regional Public Health at 641-236-2385.
For information on emergency response, call the Poweshiek County Emergency Management Agency at 641-623-4357.

Poweshiek County, Iowa has suffered from a flooding incident which occurred from a period starting in early May 2013 and is on-going.  See the attached notice – Download it here

Monday, May 27, 2013

Joint Press Release – Poweshiek County Emergency Management Office and the City of Grinnell

As a result of unprecedented rain events that occurred and continue during the Memorial Day weekend in the area, many homes are experiencing flooding or severe water problems. Unfortunately, the National Weather Service is predicting significant rain over much of Iowa the next four days and more flooding is likely.

Grinnell’s sanitary sewer system has been inundated with rain water and as a result many homes are experiencing water in basements. This will persist until the sanitary sewer system is able to drain the rain water from collection pipes. All of the sanitary sewer lift stations are functioning. The waste water treatment plant is also fully functional and operating at capacity. There are many residents experiencing flooding related to ground or surface water entering their homes.

The city of Grinnell is working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to bypass the sanitary sewer flows where necessary and appropriate. Bypassing poses no risk to the environment or our drinking water supply as the waste water has been highly diluted by the rain water. The city of Grinnell’s drinking water is safe to drink and at very low risk during this event.

This information may be useful to those experiencing water problems:

• Please take no unnecessary risks. Use caution when working in water around electrical devices. Seek professional advice if you have any concerns about starting appliances, furnaces, water heaters, or similar devices that have been potentially damaged by water.
• In many cases the water in basements will drain from the home once the sanitary sewer system is able to purge much of the rain water. In some cases, being patient may be the best strategy.
• The city of Grinnell’s water is safe to drink and has not been impacted. Please use as little water as possible as this will help reduce the amount of water entering the sanitary sewer system.
• Grinnell residents may place water damaged items at the curb for pick up at no cost. Appliances may be placed at the curb also but a charge will apply for pick up. Please have all items at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. Wednesday May 29th.
• There is information available at the Grinnell Public Safety Building in regard to repairing your flood damaged home and at www.grinnellfd.com.

The most important thing for everyone to keep in the forefront is safety. If you are unsure how to address a problem you are facing, ask for help from a plumber, friend, neighbor, family member, or contact the Poweshiek County Dispatch Center at 641 623 5679.