What's Next?

Let's take a look at what could be the potential for follow-on hazards related to our recent disaster in the Gulf.

Displaced citizens are being temporarily relocated across the country. Now health officials have stated that the potential risk of Hepatitis is high for those who spent any amount of time in the post-hurricane water. Good-hearted samaritans, without asking or knowing, are taking some of these individuals into their homes, which creates the potential for large scale spread of the viral infection.

Flood waters rose to a very significant level and devasted structures. Anyone who has been in a post-flood restored environment knows that mold will soon appear. Since the flood waters were so severely contaminated, and since it will take time to remove the debris and condemned buildings, the next logical stage of the threat is mold. Mold can create numerous health risks but not everyone thinks about it beyond the pungent odor it creates.

Re-flooding due to the immense ground saturation is a very likely event. Repairing levies and de-flooding the area is great for creating access, but provide absolutely no relief from the saturated ground, which will store the un-evaporated water until the next heavy rainstorm or surge, at which time a new flood will occur.

So let's put our heads together and think of those things that can occur beyond the obvious, and then think of mitigating the risk, and then tell someone who can take the appropriate action.