Why can hurricanes be dangerous even after the storm?

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• Even after a hurricane, people returning to the region face many physical and psychological problems.
• Mold and contaminated floods during cleaning can be dangerous in the short term.
• In the long term, survivors of violent storms may be faced with mental health problems.

Dorian, a revived hurricane, moved to the southeastern coast of the United States, where it cut off the power and flooded areas with storms.

Strong winds and rain have already led to injuries and damages: In the Bahamas are at least 20 people died , two have been in Florida and North Carolina people died .

As journalists come to the United States to keep up with the storm, Bahamian survivors will face health problems over the coming weeks, months and years. After the hurricane, residents are confronted with serious physical and psychological problems as they remove debris.

The floods after a hurricane can be misleading.

May contain untreated sewage, household and industrial chemicals or other dangerous substances. exhibition These symptoms can lead to symptoms such as upset stomach, intestinal problems, skin rash, wound infections, tetanus or flu-like symptoms.

These substances may be present in stagnant water, wells or submerged objects.

Flooding can also cover metal or cutting glass, submerged power lines or strong currents.

"In fact, very little flood is needed to sweep a pedestrian or even a car," said Jennifer Horney , PhD, MPH, professor and director of epidemiology at the University of Delaware in Newark.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Control (CDC), it is the best way to protect yourself from flooding.

If you come in contact with water or possibly contaminated objects, clean the area of ​​the body as soon as possible with soap and clean water or with an alcoholic disinfectant or cloth.

Dispose of food, drinks and prescription drugs who came in contact with the flood. Wash clothes and other items with warm soapy water before using them again.

People can also have problems when they go home and start cleaning their homes and belongings.

Chris Uejio , PhD, Assistant Professor of Geography at Florida State University in Tallahassee, said in the days after a hurricane that people were at risk of electric shock due to broken power lines and carbon monoxide poisoning. by electric generators.

Injuries during cleaning, such as falling objects, power tools or excessive work when removing water-filled furniture or drywall walls are common.

People with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes can get worse by extra physical effort.

Horney said these conditions can be aggravated when people do not have access to their medicines or medical devices.

Mold can also be a problem after a hurricane, especially in hot spots like the southeastern United States. Molds can aggravate asthma or trigger allergies.

the CDC Provides tips on how to safely clean after a hurricane and prevent mildew.

Upper respiratory tract infections. They are common in people who are in shelters during and after a hurricane. It can cause symptoms like coughing and runny nose.

Large amounts of standing water after a hurricane also provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, some of which can transmit diseases such as Zika or West Nile.

Scientists recorded a rise in the West Nile in 2005 in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"One of the things health authorities do after a water leak or storm surge is spraying mosquitoes to prevent Zika or other mosquito-borne diseases," Horney said.

Bites from other creatures can be a problem even after a hurricane, including insects, spiders, reptiles, wild animals and even displaced pets.

To avoid insect bites, the CDC recommends that people use insect repellents that contain DEET, picaridine, or another approved Environmental Protection Agency product.

Mental health problems such as anxiety, sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur in people who have experienced a hurricane.

Uejio said that the effects of a natural disaster on a person's mental health depend on several factors, including the consequences during the event.

An individual's coping mechanisms, social networks and monetary resources can also influence the speed with which a person can begin to "deal with the event".

The post-traumatic stress of a person can be re-triggered "by other stressful events or even if another hurricane is news of the country," Uejio said.

The US Department of Health. UU. There is disaster relief that advises and supports people in crisis during and after a natural or man-made disaster. You can contact a qualified crisis adviser at any time by calling 1-800-985-5990 or sending an SMS to 66746.

Horney said that some of these health problems can be prevented or minimized to prepare For example, by topping up food, water and medicines, leaving the area when evacuation orders are issued, and listening to government warnings during and after the storm.

He adds that during heavy storms, which occur more frequently in recent years, people should not prepare for the last storm, but for the next, which could be even worse.

"People need to think about how to adapt their preparedness to the types of storms we are currently seeing," Horney said.

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