The Red Cross is distributing clean up kits at the fire departments in Kasson (CASS-un) and Mantorville and at the Dodge County Highway Department Building in Dodge Center following last night and this morning’s torrential rains and flash flooding. Red Cross spokeswoman Carrie Carlson-Guest says, “We really want to make sure that everyone’s being cautious when they’re cleaning up: they’re wearing protective clothing and just following some basic safety tips.” That includes throwing out any food, beverages or medicine that might have come in contact with floodwaters. Clean up kits are available through 6 pm tonight (Fri) and from 9am to noon Saturday.
More from the Red Cross:
As people begin to clean-up, the Red Cross encourages residents to stay healthy by following these safety tips:
• Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.
• Learn more about how to clean up after a flood, including the supplies you’ll need, how to sanitize food contact surfaces, and how to repair water damage.
• Be careful when moving furnishings or debris, because they may be waterlogged and heavier.
• Throw out items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.
• Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. When in doubt, throw it out. This includes canned goods, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and containers with food or liquid that has been sealed shut.
• Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage. If the water is pumped out completely in a short period of time, pressure from water-saturated soil on the outside could cause basement walls to collapse.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.
How People Can Help
Your donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters big and small. This includes providing food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance, as well as supporting the vehicles, warehouses and people that make this help possible. Click redcross.org/mn, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.