Public Health
Just after midnight, central time, June 13, Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids began evacuating its patients from the facility. It is understood they could not further function under the emergency circumstances. The evacuation was completed by about 8:20 a.m.
The main public health hazard is the polluted water, mixed with the outflow of overwhelmed sanitary sewer systems, petroleum products and a variety of other toxic materials, to include asbestos. As the waters recede, tremendous amounts of potentially infectious debris will add to the problem; this includes uncollected garbage and dead animals. This issue will be exacerbated by the onset of the usually hot and humid summer weather. Just making the affected areas sanitary again will be a huge undertaking. The problem of mold propagating in flooded buildings is one of major concern.
Contact with the polluted water and flood soaked item can cause rashes, and if it comes in contact with a skin cut, a variety of infections. Contracting a waterborne diseases such as dysentery is at increased risk. Mosquitoes are expected to be very bad this year, and these can carry West Nile virus.
Free tetanus shots were being offered in a many areas, including Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
In addition to physical disease, mental health problems are anticipated among those who were flooded out. Once the original shock and dismay pass, the losses of such things as wedding photos or treasured family heirlooms can lead to depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Read more about this topic: Iowa Flood Of 2008
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—Anonymous Mother. Ourselves and Our Children, by Boston Women’s Health Book Collective, ch. 6 (1978)