Hurricane Safety and Preparedness

Tropical Storm Lane's Floodwaters Pose Toxic Risk, Hawaii Health Officials Warn

At a Glance

Hawaii health officials are urging residents to avoid flood water over fears of chemicals, bacteria and other toxic substances in the water.
Entering floodwaters with cuts and other open wounds increases your chance of infection.

Tropical Storm Lane has dumped nearly three feet of rain on parts of Hawaii, triggering "catastrophic" flooding on the Big Island, and now state health officials say all that water has an added toxic risk.

Early Friday, torrential rains on the Big Island triggered three wastewater spills in Hilo, Hawaii News Now reports.

Local authorities say all three continue to spill an undetermined amount of untreated wastewater on the ground and along the shoreline.

State health officials are urging residents to avoid floodwaters over fears of infection due to bacterial, chemical and human waste carried through the water.

"Health risks include leptospirosis, a bacteria shared by animals, that sits in the mud and then gets washed into the streams and people are exposed," said Bruce Anderson, director of the state Department of Health, local news reported. "If you have an open cut or wound, it's particularly risky to be in flood waters," Anderson said.

Residents of Hawaii may run a higher risk of being exposed to chemicals or infectious diseases by the flowing flood water washing these dangerous elements towards populated areas.

Floodwater is more than just a deluge of rain. Often times, floodwater accumulates sewage, chemicals and sometimes hazardous human waste like nails.

The risk isn’t just the flooding and rushing water either-- it’s also the health risks posed by the contaminants that the water leaves behind. When in contact with skin, sewage can cause skin and ear infections, among other ailments, Dr. Dave Baglow writes. Chemicals, too, could cause severe skin infections or lasting marks.

Floodwaters can also lead to severe infection for people with cuts, leisions or open wounds, as the contaminants in the water have easier access to areas of skin suceptible to infection.

Floodwaters can also carry diseases that are prevalent in the area. In developing countries, this is a more severe threat, according to the World Health Organization, because it could spread diseases like cholera or yellow fever. This is not a threat directly posed to Hawaii.

During times of storm where people are in close proximity and pathogens are prevalent and moving around-- like in floodwater-- the CDC recommends that people who are staying at shelters be extra careful to wash their hands or to use an alcohol hand gel to prevent the spread of disease.