CHML
7/27/2009
The City of Hamilton is continuing to respond to flooding issues as a result of the heavy rainfall the city experienced over the last 48 hours. Public Works crews are continuing to clean up debris around the affected areas to reduce the risk for future flooding and repair damages to roadways.
The City encourages all affected residents to take the following actions to report claims:
· Call the City’s Claims hotline – 905-667-3157 and your information will be recorded
· Call your insurance company immediately
· Have someone come to your home immediately (within 48 hours) to assess the damages in your home – this could reduce cleanup costs significantly
· The city has a compassionate grant program. Applications are available through the City’s Claims Hotline
All roads have been reopened, however the Red Hill Valley Trail will be closed indefinitely as a result of extensive flooding damages. Closure signs will be placed at the trail head and along the trail.
Important numbers:
Flood Claims Hotline – 905-667-3157
City Customer Contact Centre – 905-546-CITY (2489)
Horizon Utilities – 905-522-6611
Union Gas - 1-877-969-0999
Waste Collection:
The City is waiving the one plus one garbage bag limit for areas affected by flooding for the next two weeks. Quantity limits will not be waived in any area other than those impacted by flooding. This is not a City-wide exemption of waste quantity limits. As well, bulk disposal rates will be waived for residents in flooded areas who take damaged goods or waste to a transfer station.
Household Hazardous Waste facility closed:
Flooding on the weekend resulted in water damage at the Household Hazardous Waste facility and Reuse Store at the Mountain Community Recycling Centre, therefore the facility will be closed until Monday, August 3rd. The bin areas for recycling and garbage remain open. Household Hazardous Waste may be dropped off at the Kenora or Dundas Community Recycling Centres which remain fully open.
Union Gas:
Union Gas and the Hamilton Fire Department have disconnected service to approximately 1,000 affected homes and businesses in the impacted areas as a safety precaution. Please do not attempt to relight natural gas appliances by yourself. If your household appliances have been submerged in water they will need to be inspected by a licensed gas technician or heating contractor before being reactivated. Union Gas representatives are currently going door to door to inspect, and repair your meter and regulator set if required at no charge.
If you smell gas or detect other signs of a gas leak, remember to take the following steps:
-Prevent sources of ignition. Do not touch electrical switches, light matches or candles, or use the phone.
-Exit the building immediately.
-From a neighbour's house or a safe area, phone Union Gas or the fire department.
-Do not re-enter the building until it has been inspected.
To report a natural gas emergency, contact Union Gas at 1-877-969-0999.
Public Health Services:
What to do After a Flood or Power Outage
CAUTION: Be aware of ELECTRICAL HAZARDS associated with submerged live wires, electrical equipment, and water-damaged appliances and devices. IF UNCERTAIN, DO NOT PROCEED until a qualified electrician has assessed the situation. Contact your insurance agent to obtain approval before discarding or destroying any furniture or equipment, or removing structural elements such as drywall.
Cleaning Up:
The most important element when cleaning is the use of soap or detergent, "elbow grease" and hot water. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
For personal protection during clean-up wear rubber gloves, an N-95 disposable dust mask, and other protective clothing. Avoid direct skin contact with contaminated material.
Thorough scrubbing with a detergent or soap and water, then mopping with a mixture of 120 millilitres (one-half cup) of liquid bleach in nine litres (two gallons) of water is recommended to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as, mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).
Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters. Always wash your hands with soap and clean water after being in contact with flood water, sewage or items that have been contaminated by these, or participating in flood cleanup activities.
Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent and separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens. If possible, discard clothing used for clean up activities.
Food Safety After a Flood
Foods Affected by Flooding
Discard food that has come into contact with floodwaters.
The following foods should be considered unsafe and thrown away if they may have come into contact with contaminated flood waters:
· Food and food products stored within paper, cloth or cardboard boxes/containers;
· Home canned foods;
· Flour, grains, sugar and coffee in canisters or bags;
· Previously opened bottles;
· Fresh meat, poultry, and seafood;
· Any food wrapped in plastic;
· Fresh fruits and vegetables that do not have a peel or shell that can be removed before eating;
· Bottled or canned beverages, condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, peanut butter, jam, etc.);
· Commercially canned food without dents, leaks or bulges are considered safe if properly cleaned and sanitized. To sanitize: remove the label, thoroughly wash the cans in warm soapy water and rinse with clean water, soak for 30-60 minutes in a solution of two spoonfuls of chlorine bleach in water, re-label cans with permanent marker, making sure to include the expiration date.
Containers and utensils that come in contact with food may also be unsafe. If they have come in contact with contaminated flood waters do the following:
· Dishes and eating and cooking utensils should be thoroughly cleaned with a water and chlorine bleach solution;
· Throw away any plastic utensils, paper and plastic plates, wooden bowls, chopping boards and kitchen tools or any other non-food items made from a porous material;
· Food preparation surfaces should be wiped down using hot tap water and soap. Use bleach and water to sanitize after cleaning;
· If any plates, glasses, pots or pans are badly chipped or damaged do not use.
Refrigerators, Freezers, Stoves and Other Appliances:
NOTE: Any appliance that has been partially or wholly immersed in water will have wet insulation with no insulation value. It cannot be dried without removal. A qualified service technician should be contacted before the appliance is put into service.
Once the safety of the appliance has been verified, it should be cleaned as follows:
· Ensure electrical power is turned off;
· Clean the unit thoroughly with a detergent solution, rinse with clean water, then wash with a solution containing one-half cup of chlorine bleach in nine litres (two gallons) of water;
· Allow to dry with door kept open. Note: Keep children away.
Power Outages & Food Safety:
Food in the fridge should be safe as long as power is back on within a few hours. After that you may have to discard most foods. See list below for the types of food that should be thrown out.
- You can’t rely on appearance or odour
- Never taste food to determine its safety
- Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been in the fridge for too many hours without electricity - or at room temperature too long (over two hours); food poisoning bacteria may have multiplied enough to cause illness if eaten.
Food to Throw away from the Fridge:
If above 4 Degrees Celsius (40 Degrees Fahrenheit) for more than TWO hours:
Non-vacuum packed deli meats (cold cuts)
Soft cheeses
Wieners
Cooked dishes such as pasta, casseroles, stew, baked potatoes
Raw ground meat including beef, pork, and chicken
Fish and other Seafood (unless smoked or cured or pickled)
Eggs
Milk, cream, yogurt
Opened baby formula
Garlic in oil or butter
If above 4 Degrees Celsius (40 Degrees Fahrenheit) for more than FOUR hours:
Hard cheeses
Solid pieces of meat such as steaks or roasts
Keep the Freezer Closed. Keep what cold air you have inside. Don’t open the door/lid any more than necessary. A full freezer will stay at freezing temperature for two days; a half full freezer for about 1 day. Frozen food can be refrozen if ice crystals are still present. Some foods may lose some flavour but they will be safe to eat.
If your freezer is not full you can do one transfer of food from your fridge to your freezer to keep those foods cold- but do it quickly and shut the door/lid right away.
Additional Cleaning Considerations
Mould and Mildew
To avoid the health hazards of mildew and bacterial mould, water soaked walls and insulation should be removed, and the space and studding allowed to dry thoroughly. Walls constructed of drywall, plaster or wood will dry out in time but insulation in these walls is no longer effective. As insulation becomes water soaked the weight causes it to settle and compact at the bottom, leaving a large portion of the wall no longer insulated.
Household Furnishings
Upholstered furniture, mattresses, carpets and rugs affected by sewage contaminated flood waters should be thrown away.
Clothing, bedding and other soft/fabric articles including children's toys should be laundered on a hot wash (60ºC or the highest temperature indicated on manufacturer's instructions).
Hazardous Products
Containers that hold hazardous materials such as pesticides, fuel or gasoline may have spilled indoors during a flood. If there is a noticeable chemical odour and/or a spill, avoid skin contact with contaminated materials or contaminated water and keep the area well ventilated. Contact the fire department for help.
Links and Other Websites
Floods - Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada -- click here.
Information from the Government of Canada to help you prepare for a flood, including what to do during and after a flood, and how to begin cleaning-up.
Keeping food safe during a power outage -- click here.
Detailed information from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care about food safety issues during and after a power outage.
For more information, please contact the City of Hamilton at 905-546-CITY (2489) or by email at info@hamilton.ca.
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