NEW ORLEANS — Sometimes, Chief Meteorologist Chris Franklin may sound like your Dad when he tells you not to play or walk in flood waters.
But he may be right to discourage you from treating your sidewalk like a swimming pool.
At the risk of insulting your common sense, we’ll tell you that flood water in New Orleans is gross.
The CDC says floodwaters are dangerous because you never really know what’s in there. What’s not draining underground could be backing up into the street.
That means there could be things like raw sewage, oil and gasoline, insecticides, household or other hazardous waste, animals, things like nails or glass, downed power lines, and contaminants that shouldn’t touch your skin.
It can make you sick, too. There’s not just a risk of tetanus, bacterial and fungal skin infections have been reported after flood incidents. You can also contract something called “contact dermatitis,” which you can get after your skin comes into contact with a chemical that irritates it.
And the National Institutes of Health say you can end up with gastrointestinal issues, even hepatitis, and other viral diseases.
If you just can’t resist, and you’ve dived right in, take a shower with soap.
And make sure any cuts or scrapes you had before…or acquired during your adventure…stay very clean and watch for infection.
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