Some residents have had to toss possessions soaked by storm water and partially treated and diluted sewage that backed up into their basements.
COVINGTON, Ky. - At the City of Covington’s request, the Northern Kentucky Health Department is publicizing a list of precautions to help people in flood-affected areas “remain safe and avoid illness.”
The steps, which the City is helping to publicize, are being issued after recent torrential rains overwhelmed the storm water drainage system in some neighborhoods, causing water to pour into some people’s homes and - where the storm water system is “combined” with the sanitary system - to back up into basements.
“We really appreciate the health department’s guidance on this,” Covington Mayor Joe Meyer said. “We reached out to them because they know better than anyone the health and safety issues in play here, and they can help us provide this important information.”
The precautions - which include tips on disinfecting contaminated surfaces and precautions people can take while cleaning - can be found on a newly created “Flood Clean-up” page on NKY Health's website, found HERE.
The page also includes links to related information from other agencies.
NKY Health provides public health services to more than 400,000 residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties, with a goal of preventing disease, promoting wellness, and protecting against health threats.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for residents who are affected by these floods,” said Dr. Lynne Saddler, District Director of Health for NKY Health, “and we want to make sure that residents have the information they need to keep their families safe.”
NKY Health’s release also quotes Steve Divine, its Director of Environmental Health and Safety. Said Divine: “We are providing recommendations for residents for safe cleanup and disinfection as they address flood damage in their homes.”
A printed flyer with the precautions will be available at different locations within Covington, including City Hall and the Kenton County Public Library. A complete list of those locations is on the department’s “Flood Clean-up” page.
Its general website is HERE.
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