Flooding

Dealing with flood problems

Avoid contact with flood water. Infection problems resulting from floods in this country are rare, but it is important to take precautions. If you are cleaning up flood damage, wear rubber gloves and disposable protective clothing and wash your hands afterwards. Keep any open cuts covered with waterproof plasters and prevent them being exposed to floodwaters.
Do not let children or pets play in or around flood water, gullies or mud caused by the floods - they don't know how deep the water is, and there may be hidden dangers.

Do not eat any food or drink that has been touched by flood water as this will not be safe to consume. Do not eat any produce grown on an allotment or garden that has been flooded, unless it has been cooked.
Wash your hands before and after preparing food. Use clean water, detergent, then a normal kitchen disinfectant, clean and disinfect work surfaces, plates, pans, cutlery, and plastic/glass chopping boards. If you have a working dishwasher, this is best for smaller items.
If your pots and pans have been touched by flood water, they should be cleaned and disinfected. You should dispose of wooden chopping boards if they are touched by flood water.

Keep children and pets out of affected areas until the clean-up is complete. Wash your hands thoroughly after every clean-up session.
Clean all affected surfaces like walls, hard-surfaced floors and furniture with hot soapy water and allow to dry thoroughly.
More information on cleaning up, drying out, cleaning household items, clothing and bedding and tackling any problems with mould can be found at Public Health England. Those with no internet access may phone the Council Helpline on 0191 427 7000.
Remember that petrol or diesel generators or other fuel-driven equipment should not be brought indoors. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, which can quickly build to poisonous levels without good ventilation.

Please put any food or perishable items that have been touched by flood water into black bin bags, separately from any other household waste, place it outside the front of your home or business and phone the Council's Helpline on 0191 427 7000 to arrange for it to be collected.
If you have damaged white goods (fridges, freezers etc), carpets or other major household items to dispose of, please call our helpline on 0191 427 7000. Do not put them outside before arranging for collection - if they are taken by scrap men rather than official Council services, this could make it difficult for you to claim on your insurance later.

Businesses that have been affected by adverse conditions and require advice and assistance from South Tyneside Council should call the Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000. The Customer Contact Centre will be able to direct your call to the most appropriate department.
Food related businesses -
Businesses who are a registered purveyor of foodstuffs will need to ensure that all food preparation, packing and serving areas meet the necessary environmental health standards.
We ask that all who think that they may have been affected by floods check the working condition of all food storage areas including fridges and freezers, even those that are currently working.
All clean downs should be thorough and made with appropriate disinfectants or sanitiser.
For foodstuffs that require disposal following exposure to flood water or that have been affected by a detrimental change in storage conditions, please contact the Environmental Health Team on 0191 424 7903 to arrange for the necessary condemnation forms to be provided so that insurance claims can be made.

If your property has been flooded, it is important to contact a suitably qualified and registered person to make appropriate safety checks before trying to use any electricity or gas.
It is unlikely that utility services will be affected but should you have any concerns, contact your gas, electricity and water providers directly.

Infection problems from floods in this country are rare, but it is important to take precautions. Wash hands frequently and always before meals. Parents with infants affected by diarrhoea or vomiting should seek medical advice.
Do not let children play on affected paved or concreted areas until they have been cleaned. Sunlight and soil help to destroy harmful bacteria so it is usually safe to play on grass a week or so after the floodwater has gone.
If you or one of your family feel unwell and think it may have been caused by contact with flood water, contact your GP or phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
If you need to take regular medicines and you have had to leave them behind in your home, phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.
Get more information from the GOV.UK: Flooding health guidance and advice