CDC Responds to Hurricane 2008 Season

This information is current as of September 26, 2008.

CDC is working with state and local governments, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal agencies to help communities recover from Hurricane Ike. Ike made U.S. landfall on the Gulf Coast on Saturday, September 13 and moved across the Midwest as a Tropical Storm.

Currently, customers in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Ohio are without power and people are still in shelters in Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana. The storm has also displaced people across Caribbean countries, particularly in Haiti and Cuba. Shelters in Haiti are open but conditions remain poor. A CDC team has evaluated water, sanitation, and other needs of people who are in shelters in Gonaives, Haiti and is working to help Haiti address related health issues.

CDC is directly involved in recovery efforts in Louisiana and Texas. The agency has deployed medical doctors, key emergency management officials, and environmental health professionals to work with state and local officials, HHS, and FEMA in those states to address critical health threats. In Texas CDC and partners have been operating multiple Federal Medical Stations which provide medical and pharmaceutical care to evacuees.

CDC is monitoring data provided by hospitals located in affected areas; the data indicate that people continue to be exposed to carbon monoxide gas, an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. When power outages occur during emergencies such as hurricanes, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for cooling, heating, or cooking can cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.

To stay safe and healthy after a storm:

Avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after a disaster.

Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices produce deadly CO gases.
Always use these devices outdoors, far away from windows, doors and vents.
Pressure washers and other gasoline powered tools also give off high levels of CO and should be used outdoors.

Take care of your mental health after a hurricane.

Normal feelings include shock and disbelief, fear, anger, moodiness, and inability to control your emotions.
You may also feel physically sick, have trouble sleeping, or sleep more or less than usual.
Seek help by talking to a trusted friend, family member, or by calling 800-273-8255.

Be aware of dangerous materials.

Call the fire department to inspect or remove chemicals, propane tanks, and other dangerous materials.
Wear protective clothing and gear (for example, a respirator if needed) when handling hazardous materials.
Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous chemicals.
Wear insulated gloves and use caution if you have to remove a car battery. Car batteries can maintain an electrical charge even if flooded. Avoid any acid that may have leaked from a car battery.

Previous Updates

More Information

For more information about how to stay safe before, during and after hurricanes, please visit emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes.

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Page last updated September 26, 2008
Content source: CDC Emergency Communication System (ECS), Division of Health Communication and Marketing (DHCM), National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)