Hurricane Harvey: NOAA Public Advisories and CDC Hurricane links, pages, - August 2017

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[h=1]Texas Urges Health Precautions for Residents Affected by Hurricane Harvey[/h] [h=2]News Release
August 30, 2017[/h] The Texas Department of State Health Services is issuing the following health precautions for people experiencing flooding and power outages in Southeast Texas and beginning recovery from Hurricane Harvey along the middle Texas coast.
People should follow all local drinking water safety notices and throw out food that may have spoiled or been contaminated. Because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gasoline-powered generators should not be used indoors.
Residents who evacuated affected areas are urged to wait for official word from state or local officials before returning home.
Health officials offer the following advice:
Drinking Water

• People under boil water alerts and those with private wells that may have been contaminated by floodwater should use only bottled, boiled or treated water until water has been tested and found safe.
• When boiling water for drinking, cooking and washing, bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute and then let it cool. If boiling isn?t possible, water can be disinfected with regular, unscented household bleach using one-eighth teaspoon, about eight drops, per gallon of water. Add the bleach, stir well and let stand for 30 minutes.

Food

• Do not eat food that has been in contact with flood water.
• If electricity has been off, refrigerated food may have spoiled. Discard any food that has been at room temperature for more than two hours or that has an unusual odor or color.
• Babies on formula should be given ready-to-feed formula or powdered formula prepared with bottled water.
• Wash hands with soap and disinfected water before eating or handling food, after clean-up work and after handling flood water-contaminated items.

Environmental Hazards

• No one should re-enter a building while flooded unless the main electrical switch has been turned off.
• Snakes and other wild animals may seek shelter in homes, vehicles and trees. They are often injured in heavy rains and winds. Do not handle any wildlife. Seek immediate treatment if bitten or injured by an animal. Beware of displaced pets.
• Return home in daylight for best visibility to be aware of any unsafe power sources. Do not use lanterns or torches until after the premises are safe from gas leaks.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites with an EPA-registered insect repellent. Standing water after floods can be a breeding place for mosquitoes. Drain all the standing water you can and dump out containers like toys, flower pots and saucers, old tires, cans and storm debris.
• Always wear shoes in post-flood areas to reduce the chances of punctures or cuts from nails and other sharp objects.

Medical

• People with puncture wounds or cuts exposed to flood water could be at risk of contracting tetanus if they haven?t had a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years.
• People up-to-date on vaccinations do not need any additional vaccines.

General

• Never run gas-powered electrical generators or use gas or charcoal grills indoors. Carbon monoxide can build up and be fatal to people indoors.
• Never mix bleach with products that contain ammonia to prevent the creation of toxic fumes.
• Don?t let children play in or near flood water or storm drains.
• Disinfect all furniture, woodwork, household surfaces and toys in homes that have flooded. Use a solution of one cup bleach to five gallons of water.
• Wash hands frequently during cleanup to help avoid contaminating areas that have already been cleaned.
• To prevent allergic reactions and other health problems caused by mold, replace flood-damaged wallboard starting at least 12 inches above the waterline.
• Try to rest and conserve energy and avoid heat stress. People with heart conditions and other illnesses should avoid strenuous exertion.

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(News Media Contact: Chris Van Deusen, DSHS Director of Media Relations, 512-776-7119)

DSHS Press Office on Twitter

Last updatedAugust 30, 2017



http://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/releases/2017/20170830.aspx

 

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[h=2]Hurricane Harvey ? August 31, 2017[/h] DSHS is responding to flooding and other effects of Hurricane Harvey in Texas. DSHS coordinates public health and medical services during disasters in the state, including the evacuation of health care facilities, providing shelters for people with special medical needs, and supporting the behavioral health of responders.
As of Thursday morning, 165 missions have been completed transporting 1,086 patients from health care facilities affected by Harvey. Texas Mobile Medical Units have seen 239 patients and transferred 53 to health care facilities. Medical shelters for people who need specialized medical care are open in Houston, San Antonio and Austin. Some hospitals that had closed have re-opened for emergency or full services, but there are hospitals in the affected area that remain closed. People who have a medical emergency should call 9-1-1.
Floodwater can create significant hazards, and everyone should remember basic precautions:

• Pay attention to local media for the latest from leaders on local conditions.
• Listen for announcements about the safety of public drinking water and follow ?boil water? alerts for your area.
• Avoid floodwater when possible. It may contain bacteria, hazardous chemicals and dangerous debris.
• Never run electrical generators inside your home, because carbon monoxide can build up and kill.

More information on flood and recovery precautions is available on the DSHS News Releases page and at TexasPrepares.org.
[h=3]Additional information:[/h]

• Dial 2-1-1 for information on services available in your area.
• If you lost WIC food or formula, lost a WIC card, or need to find an open WIC clinic, call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• If you need breastfeeding help, call 855-550-6667. Lactation consultants answer this line 24 hours a day.
• People who need to find an operating dialysis clinic should contact the End Stage Renal Disease Network of Texas at 866-407-3773.
• Providers should follow guidance regarding submission of newborn screening specimens. Information is regularly updated on the Laboratory Services page.
• The Texas HIV Medication Program page is regularly updated with information about replacing and delivery of medications.
• Vaccines:
  • People with puncture wounds or cuts exposed to flood water could be at risk of contracting tetanus if they haven?t had a tetanus vaccination within the last 10 years. People up-to-date on vaccinations do not need any additional vaccines.
  • Students displaced by Harvey may be enrolled in school provisionally for 30 days without proof of immunization. Schools with electronic access to ImmTrac2, the state immunization registry, will be able to verify immunization status for many students.
• Medical professionals who want to volunteer can register with the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry and contact private organizations like the American Red Cross. Please don?t respond on your own.
• Governor Greg Abbott has approved a waiver allowing Texas hospitals to exceed their licensed bed capacity to provide care for evacuees.
• Follow DSHS on Twitter and Facebook for more safety information.

http://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm

 

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Company press release:

Explosions and Smoke Reported at Arkema Inc. Crosby Plant

08/31/2017 - Short news
PRODUCTS

At approximately 2 a.m. CDT, we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc. plant in Crosby, Texas. Local officials had previously established an evacuation zone in an area 1.5 miles from our plant, based on their assessment of the situation.

We continue to work closely with federal, state and local authorities to manage the situation.

As we communicated in recent days, our site followed its hurricane preparation plan in advance of the recent hurricane and we had redundant contingency plans in place. However, unprecedented flooding overwhelmed our primary power and two sources of emergency backup power. As a result, we lost critical refrigeration of the products on site. Some of our organic peroxides products burn if not stored at low temperature.

We have been working closely with public officials to manage the implications of this situation, and have communicated with the public the potential for product to explode and cause an intense fire. Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out.

We want local residents to be aware that product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains. Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so.

Organic peroxides are a family of compounds that are used in a wide range of applications, such as making pharmaceuticals and construction materials.

https://www.arkema.com/en/media/new...d-Smoke-Reported-at-Arkema-Inc.-Crosby-Plant/