10 Dangers After the Storm | Steel Water Training

1. The danger after landfall

CDC identified 129 Hurricane Irma-related deaths in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Only 11 were directly related to the hurricane; 115 - 89.1% - were indirect. Power loss, heat, carbon monoxide, medical disruption, crashes, falls, and cleanup hazards can continue after the wind stops.

Recovery is an operational phase, not the absence of an emergency. Treat each new cleanup task as a new scene.

2. Generator and carbon-monoxide safety

Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. CDC documented 16 CO deaths in the Hurricane Irma investigation. After four Florida hurricanes in 2004, 167 people were treated for nonfatal CO poisoning in investigated incidents, with portable generators implicated in nearly all investigated exposures.

Never operate a generator inside a home, garage, shed, crawlspace, or other enclosed/partially enclosed area.
Keep generators outside and away from doors, windows, and vents; follow manufacturer and official guidance.
Use working battery-powered or battery-backup CO alarms.
Never use grills or camp stoves indoors for cooking or heat.

3. Electricity, floodwater, and structures

Assume downed lines are energized. Keep people and pets away and report them.
Floodwater can hide electrical hazards, contamination, debris, holes, and moving current.
Do not enter visibly unstable structures. Watch for sagging ceilings, damaged stairs, wet electrical systems, and gas odors.
Do not improvise generator-to-building electrical connections.

4. Heat and medical dependency

Power loss can turn heat and chronic medical needs into emergencies. Identify refrigeration-dependent medication, oxygen or powered medical equipment, mobility limitations, transportation needs, and backup charging/power arrangements.

Keep a paper list of medications, prescribers, pharmacies, allergies, emergency contacts, equipment model numbers, and backup-power needs.

5. Cleanup injuries

Use task-appropriate gloves, eye protection, footwear, and hearing protection.
Do not perform chainsaw or tree work beyond your training.
Use ladders conservatively and avoid wet roofs.
Work in pairs when possible. Heat, fatigue, dehydration, and poor sleep degrade judgment.
Stop and reassess when a simple task exposes electricity, structural damage, chemicals, or another new hazard.

6. 72-hour household worksheet

Power: What absolutely must remain powered?
Water: What is the plan if the utility issues an advisory?
Food: What will be used first if refrigeration fails?
Medical: Who depends on medication, oxygen, refrigeration, mobility aids, or powered devices?
Communication: What if cellular data is unavailable?
Transportation: Which routes flood and where will vehicles be parked?
Neighbors: Who may need a welfare check, and who can check on you?

7. GUARD after the storm

Gauge the hazard before touching, entering, cutting, driving, or energizing anything.
Use Your Resources: alerts, utilities, PPE, neighbors, flashlights, medical lists, and trained professionals.
Act within your capability.
Recover by stabilizing people, essential supplies, and the immediate work area.
Depart & Dial: leave unsafe conditions when needed and contact emergency services, utilities, or other qualified help.