CDC Responds to Hurricane Gustav
September 4, 2008
CDC is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and federal, state and local partners to respond to public health issues in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. State health departments in affected areas have also been assisting each other responding to and recovering from the storm.
- State and local agencies are working to restore infrastructure to affected areas. Priorities include restoring electricity and clean water, and repairing roads and buildings damaged by the storm.
- There are different levels of damages from the hurricane in each affected state. As damage assessments are completed, state and local authorities are making decisions about who can return home safely.
- Coastal southeastern states are also preparing for Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike, which may affect weather, health, and safety in that region in the next week.
CDC, as part of HHS, has 65 staff deployed to Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. These experts are providing public health and medical support to hurricane evacuees, especially those with special needs. CDC experts are also providing a range of assistance for affected areas, and monitoring state surveillance activities in local areas.
In addition, CDC is working closely with federal, state and local partners to distribute information about healthy recovery from the storm on topics such as injury prevention, carbon monoxide poisoning, and food and water safety.
Things You Should Know About Storm Recovery
Be healthy and safe when returning home after the hurricane.
- Return home only after local authorities have told you it is safe to do so.
- Do not enter a building if you smell gas. Call 911. Do not light a match or turn on lights.
- Wear waterproof boots and gloves to avoid floodwater touching your skin. Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Always use generators, grills, and other fuel-burning devices outdoors, far from open windows, doors, and vents.
- These devices produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas that kills more than 500 Americans each year.
- Carbon monoxide can quickly reach deadly levels when these devices are used in your home, garage or carport.
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, confusion, fatigue, seizures, dizziness, loss of consciousness, nausea/vomiting.
Avoid driving through fast moving water. You may not be able to tell how deep the water is and you may lose control of your vehicle.
- Drive slowly at a speed that is safe for road and weather conditions.
- Be alert for broken stop lights and missing street signs.
- Wear your seatbelt, properly restrain your children, and avoid using a cell phone while driving.
Stay safe when cleaning up your home after the storm.
- Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with them.
- Always use generators, grills, and fuel-burning devices outside, far from the house.
- Have a professional check your wet or flooded appliances before you use them.
Previous Updates
More Information
For more information about how to stay safe before, during and after hurricanes, please visit: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/
- Page last updated September 4, 2008
- Content source: CDC Emergency Communication System (ECS), Division of Health Communication and Marketing (DHCM), National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM)
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