Health Department urges residents, first responders to prevent illness during contact with water

By on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

HARNEY COUNTY(Released from Harney County Health Department)-Harney County Health Department shares tips for residents, first responders, to prevent illness during contact with flood water.

Flood water can contain things that can harm your health, like bacteria, sewage, chemicals, sharp objects, and wild animals. During this declared state of emergency, the Harney County Health Department encourages everyone to stay out of flood water as much as you can. 

Be aware that flood water can be surprisingly fast moving. Wearing heavy gear like boots and waders can become a drowning hazard if you trip or fall in floodwaters. Please move with caution and know your own limits. 

For Residents, Volunteers, or First Responders In Contact with Flood Water

Prevent hypothermia while in cold flood water. Wear insulated clothes and insulated rubber boots, take frequent breaks out of the water, and change into dry clothing when you can.

Wash all clothes worn in flood water in hot water and detergent. Wash these clothes separately from all other clothes and laundry. You can add bleach if safe for fabrics.

Wash rubber boots and other gear with soap and water, then sanitize with bleach:

  • Clean your gear with soap and warm, clean water. 
  • Rinse. 
  • Wet items well in a mixture of bleach and water using 1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water.
  • Allow to air dry.

If flood water gets on your skin or in your eyes, rinse well with clean water. Keep cuts and wounds clean:

  • Keep cuts and wounds away from flood water. 
  • Cover open wounds with a waterproof bandage to reduce chance of infection.
  • Keep open wounds as clean as possible by washing well with soap and clean water.
  • If a wound develops redness, swelling, or oozing, seek immediate medical attention.

Flood water can spread tetanus, a painful bacterial infection. Check with your healthcare provider or the Health Department to see if you should get a Tdap booster for protection against tetanus.

Contact: Kate Szrom, Public Health Rural Communications Coordinator serving Harney County Health Department, kate@oregonclho.org