Health Concerns Following A Natural Disaster
Shawn Folks • October 29, 2018
Over the last several decades alone, natural disasters have killed millions of people and adversely affected the lives of billions more. In addition to the severe accidents and substantial structural damage they cause, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other natural calamities have grave social, economic, and health consequences as well.
In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the risk for epidemic outbreaks gets higher:
- The shortage of fresh food, typical for post-disaster periods, results in malnutrition that weakens the immune systems of the people in the affected area;
Communicable diseases spread more quickly and more easily after natural disasters.
- The limited access to safe water and lack of proper sanitation pose a risk of infections and gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, hepatitis, and various other bacterial diseases can be transmitted by direct contact with contaminated water);
- The crowded living conditions and poor hygiene levels in emergency camps facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases;
When people return home after a disaster, their health and safety may be compromised by unsanitary and/or hazardous living conditions in the house. From ruptured gas lines and stagnant water containing bacteria, to mold growth and vermin infestation, there are various risk factors that can result in personal injuries and serious diseases unless proper precautions are taken to ensure the safety and well-being of the occupants of the home.
CAUSES OF HEALTH RISKS AFTER NATURAL DISASTERS
- Structural damage and debris – falling structural elements, exposed cables and electrical wires, downed power lines and ruptured gas lines, broken glass and splintered woodwork can cause serious injuries, electric shocks, and even carbon monoxide poisoning;
Floodwater poses a number of risks to the people in disaster-ridden communities.
- Floodwater and stagnant water – Floodwater is often contaminated with sewage and chemicals and contains various harmful toxins. If it has come in contact with any household items and materials, it will have contaminated them as well, so touching or using them before they have been thoroughly disinfected may result in skin infections, stomach problems, and conjunctivitis. If there is stagnant water in or near the home, it may contain bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal problems and various infections if it comes in contact with open wounds or mucous membranes;
- Mold – When the right conditions are present (ample organic food and abundant moisture), mold growth can begin within 48 hours. It will spread very fast in the humid environment caused by natural disasters like floods and hurricanes and will quickly affect large parts of the home. The harmful microorganisms will not only cause considerable structural damage, but will also have a negative impact on the health of the occupants – mold can trigger a variety of allergy symptoms and other serious health issues, such as headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, sinus infections, eye irritations, rashes, etc. It can even aggravate conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Environmental toxins – Lead and asbestos are present in various construction materials that were widely used before the 1970’s (when these substances were discovered to be harmful to the health). They are considered to be safe when undisturbed, but hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can cause considerable damage to floors, walls, insulation, siding, shingling and other structural elements that contain asbestos and/or lead. As a result, lead dust and asbestos fibers may be released in the air. If inhaled or ingested, these microscopic toxins can cause respiratory problems and long-lasting health issues.
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control. Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
Behind every successful project at Guarantee Restoration Services is a team member dedicated to making a difference. This month, we’re proud to feature Brian McCaughan, Mitigation Manager at our Gulfport Branch. With more than two decades of industry experience and a strong belief in teamwork, Brian continues to lead by example both in and out of the field.
Pre-loss planning is not flashy or attention grabbing until you’re standing in the middle of a disaster and wondering what happened and what happens next. At Guarantee Restoration Services, it is one of the most important conversations we can have with our partners and clients, because preparation can mean the difference between complete chaos or a controlled situation. What Is Pre-Loss Planning? This service our team offers is exactly what it sounds like. It’s putting a plan in place before something goes wrong. Whether it’s a fire, a severe storm, or a flood, the first few hours matter more than anything. Decisions are made quickly, vendors are being called, and people are trying to figure out who is responsible for what and where. Without a proper plan in place, that moment is stressful, delayed, and more expensive than it needs to be. We have seen it firsthand, time and time again, those properties that have a solid pre-loss plan in place recover faster, experience less downtime, and have a much smoother path to normalcy. Properties that don’t have a plan are left to react instead of responding.
