Flood and Tornado-Related Disease Precautions and Information

The purpose of this web page is to highlight some precautions and recommendations associated with floods and tornadoes. Links and resources listed contain a variety of health and environmental precautions.

For any additional questions contact the Iowa Department of Public Health at 515-281-7689.

Staying Safe

Do I Need New Vaccinations?

• Immunization recommendations 
• Recomendaciones de inmunización durante las inundaciones (Immunization Recommendations During Floods - Spanish) 

How do My Family and I Stay Safe and Healthy?

• Cleaning and disinfecting 
• Frequently asked questions about cleaning flooded basements 
• Re-entering your home 
• Personal hygiene During and After a Flood 
• Preventing Heat-Related Illness 
• Questions about mold 
• Carbon monoxide poisoning prevention 
• Mosquito bite prevention 
• Frequently asked questions about mosquito repellent use on children 
• Safety information about mosquito repellent use (link)
• Recommendations for water consumption 
• Being safe after a flood - activity book for children 
• Protecting pets 
• Sanitation Recommendations During Floods 
• State Hygenic Lab Guidance on Flood Health and Safety 

What about Damaged Items?

• Frequently asked questions about cleaning damaged clothing and linens 
• What to do with personal items 

Are my Food and Water Safe?

• Food salvage 
• Food safety during a power outage 
• FAQ How to Boil Water 
• FAQ About After A Boil Water Advisory 
• Private well use after a flood 
• Private flooded sewage systems 
• Flooded Private Well Recommendations 

Information for Businesses

• Link to DIA for sources related to Food Plant Disaster Recovery, Re-opening Requirements for Food Establishments, and Food Safety After a Power Outage
• Guidance for food establishments during a Boil Water Order/Advisory 
• Cleaning playground equipment 
• Frequently asked questions about flooding and child care 

General Information

• 2019 Iowa Flood resources - disaster assistance, ways to assist those affected and more
• CDC Flood Resource Information
• Iowa State University Flood Preparedness and Recovery Resources
• National Weather Service regions 
• National Weather Service flood definitions 
• Sandbag disposal 
• Agricultural Respirator Selection Guide 
• CDC Disposable Respirator Instructions 
• Mold - Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods
• Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Disaster Recovery
• Guidance for Transferring Pharmacies 

Spanish Documents

• Preguntas frecuentes acerca de los avisosde precaución de hervir el agua (FAQ About Boil Advisories)  
• Prevención de picaduras de mosquito (Mosquito Bite Prevention)
• El regreso a su hogar inundado (Reentering Your Flooded Home)  
• Preguntas frecuentes sobre el moho (FAQ About Mold)
• Enfermedades causadas por el calor: guía de prevención para promover su salud y seguridad (Preventing Heat Related Illness)
• Limpieza y desinfección después de una inudación (Cleaning and Disinfecting After a Flood) 
• Limpieza de ropa y ropa de cama contaminadas por el agua de la inundación (Cleaning Flood Damaged Clothing and Linens) 
• Seguridad de los alimentos durante un apagón (Food Safety During a Power Outage) 
• Cuando se produce una inundación - Recuperación de alimentos (Food Salvage) 
• Preguntas frecuentes acerca de la limpieza de sótanos inundados (FAQ About Cleaning Flooded Basements) 
• Higiene personal durante y después de una inundación (Personal Hygiene During and After a Flood) 
• Prevención de intoxicación por monóxido de carbono (Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning) 
• Uso de su pozo privado después de una inundación (Private Well Use After a Flood) 
• Recomendatciones para el consumo de agua (Recommendations for Water Consumption) 
• Eliminación de sacos de arena (Sandbag Disposal) 
• Recomendaciones de saneamiento durante las inundaciones (Sanitation Recommendations During Floods) 
• Después de la inundación: Qué hacer con los objetos personales (What to do About Personal Items After a Flood) 
• Orientación para la transferencia de farmacias