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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Team New Orleans

National Hurricane Center

National Weather Service - Jackson Office, MS

National Weather Service – New Orleans/Baton Rouge

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and

Preparedness

WEATHER

NURSING HOMES

FEDERAL RESPONSE

CURRENT SITUATION

PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER A DISASTER

YALE/TULANE ESF-8 PLANNING AND RESPONSE PROGRAM SPECIAL REPORT

Hurricane Isaac

KEY LINKS

BACKGROUND

WATER AND SANITATION

Louisiana State Police

Louisiana Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries

Louisiana Dept of Corrections

Louisiana Dept of Health and Hospitals

Louisiana Dept of Social Services

Louisiana Work Force Commission

Louisiana Dept of Natural Resources

Louisiana National Guard

Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities

Louisiana Dept of Environmental Quality

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office

Louisiana Economic Development

Louisiana Dept of Transportation and Development

Division of Administration

Louisiana Dept of Agriculture & Forestry

DIALYSIS

3 SEPTEMBER 2012

FLOOD STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

NEW ORLEANS BATON ROUGE LA 907 AM CDT MON

SEP 3 2012

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE

FOLLOWING RIVERS IN LOUISIANA...MISSISSIPPI...

THE PEARL RIVER NEAR BOGALUSA AFFECTING ST.

TAMMANY...WASHINGTON... HANCOCK AND PEARL

RIVER COUNTIES/PARISHES THE PEARL RIVER

NEAR PEARL RIVER AFFECTING ST.

TAMMANY...HANCOCK AND PEARL RIVER

COUNTIES/PARISHES

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

FORECAST CRESTS ARE BASED UPON RAINFALL

THAT HAS OCCURRED ALONG WITH ANTICIPATED

RAIN FOR THE NEXT 12 HOURS. ADJUSTMENTS TO

THE FORECASTS WILL BE MADE IF ADDITIONAL

HEAVY RAINFALL OCCURS. DO NOT DRIVE CARS

THROUGH FLOODED AREAS.

REMEMBER...TWO FEET OF RUSHING WATER CAN

CARRY AWAY MOST VEHICLES INCLUDING

PICKUPS. TURN AROUND AND DON`T DROWN. A

FOLLOWUP PRODUCT WILL BE ISSUED LATER.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO...LOCAL TV

AND RADIO STATIONS...OR YOUR CABLE

PROVIDER...FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION. THE

LATEST GRAPHICAL HYDROLOGIC INFORMATION

CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WEATHER.GOV

.

Heat Advisory Flood Warning Flood Advisory Hazardous Weather Outlook

FLOODING

ELECTRICAL

TIME LINE • On the evening of Tuesday, August 28, 2012 Hurricane Isaac made landfall in

Louisiana, seven years after Katrina. • Wednesday, August 29, 2012, as Hurricane Isaac continued to batter the area,

emergency responders rescued close to 3,500 residents from flooded homes in River Forest, Palmetto, Palmetto Lakes, Palmetto South, Cambridge, Riverlands Subdivision, Live Oak Landing, River Oak Landing, Old 51, Carmel Valley, Canterbury's, Summerlin Estates, the Ascension of Our Lord school area, Country Club and LaPlace Park.

• Thursday, August 30, 2012 the tropical storm was down graded to a tropical depression but rains drenched a large swath of the Gulf Coast. Louisiana announced mandatory evacuations for all low-lying areas along the Tangipahoa River. The river was observed at more than 17 feet Thursday morning -- more than two feet above flood level. The National Weather Service predicted that the river level would rise as high as 19.5 feet by Friday. Average rainfall totals around New Orleans was in the range of 9-12”. New Orleans International Airport officially received 9.69” setting a daily rainfall record shattering the 4.5” mark established during Katrina in 2005. And it’s more than the city’s averages (5.98”) for an entire month.

• Friday, Aug 31 – Sunday August 2 Recovery efforts continued throughout the state. At least 47% of the state's energy users lost power in Louisiana. Low level flooding continues and do flash floods as a result of the rain that Isaac deposited as it moved inland.

HURRICANE ISAAC Background

Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune CNN Washington Post

Flooding in LaPlace, La. Louisiana State. Sept. 1, 2012 (AP)

A building and camper are inundated in floodwaters from Hurricane Isaac in Braithwaite,

La., on Sept. 2, 2012. Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

CURRENT SITUATION: • LA EOC activated at Level I (Full Activation) • Repairs to the Plaquemines Parish EOC/911 system were completed. • The LA Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) opened all

eastbound and westbound traffic lanes of I-10 to Baton Rouge and New Orleans. • Debris has been cleared from all state roadways. Remaining closures are related

to downed power lines, flood waters, and flood protection efforts. • National Disaster Recovery Planning Division has requested the Housing

Recovery Support Function Coordinating Agency, HUD, to prepare for activation in support of LA housing needs.

CURRENT SITUATION

FATALITIES: 5

DESTRUCTION: Assessments is on going but AIR Worldwide put insured losses

between 700 million – 2 billion in USD

UTILITIES: 123,660 without power

94% of wireless and cellular transmitters are fully operational.

SHELTERS: 4135

STATE DECLARATION: 8/27/12

FEDERAL DECLARATIONS: 8/28/12

Resistance Assistance: To date, more than 35,000 Louisianans registered for

assistance, with roughly $400,000 approved, so far, for housing assistance and

other needs.

LINKS Louisiana Health and Hospitals

Department of Public Health http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/

Louisiana Governor's Office

Homeland Security and Emergency

Preparedness

http://gohsep.la.gov/

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/GOHSEP

Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/gohsep

NOAA Weather Radio for LA http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/Maps/PHP/Louisiana.php

National Weather Service Watches,

Warnings and Advisories http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/la.php?x=1

State officials inspected ongoing flooding conditions in Southeastern Louisiana. Flood waters are beginning to recede in some areas where response efforts are being made to pump or drain water out of the flooded areas. Elevated water levels are still impacting several low lying areas. Significant river flooding occurring but some rivers are beginning to back down across the area.

• LaPlace - Water Level at the gauge is down to 3.75 feet – dropping about a

foot per day. Normal level at the gauge is around 1.5-2.0 feet.

• Amite River - has crested and levels are now falling.

• Blind River crested at 6.1 feet on 2 SEPT. Water levels are now slowly falling.

• Bogue Chitto River - Water levels have crested and are now falling on the Bogue Chitto River. Major flooding continues at Bush, but will subside quickly.

• Pearl River - There is major flooding on the Pearl River for the next few days

• Tangipahoa River - Water levels are subsiding at Robert

• Tchefuncte River - Minor flooding at Covington will end today

Part of the Louisiana political delegation, from left, U.S. Sens. David Vitter and

Mary Landrieu, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Louisiana Governor

Bobby Jindal, greet President Barrack Obama at Louis Armstrong Airport after

Hurricane Isaac, Monday, Sept. 3, 2012

CURRENT SITUATION

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ORDERED THE EVACUATION OF HOMES WITHIN A HALF-MILE OF STORM-DAMAGED STOLTHAVEN CHEMICAL PLANT IN BRAITHWAITE TO GUARD AGAINST POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OR FIRE. TEAMS WITH THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WERE EVALUATING THE STOLTHAVEN NEW ORLEANS PLANT, WHICH HAS BEEN WITHOUT POWER SINCE HURRICANE ISAAC STRUCK LAST WEEK. THE REASON FOR THE EVACUATION DAYS AFTER THE STORM WASN'T IMMEDIATELY CLEAR, BUT THE COMPANY HAD ALERTED THE STATE POLICE'S HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DIVISION ABOUT POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AND FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS INSIDE.

A boom surrounds flooded railcars as a chemical plant in Braithwaite, La.

A chemical plant and railroad cars sit in Hurricane Isaac's flood

waters on September 1, 2012 in Braithwaite, Louisiana

http://www.redding.com/photos/2012/aug/31/66247/

CURRENT SITUATION

CANCER PATIENTS The American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day to assist cancer patients and their families to ensure they get the cancer information and care that is needed. The contact number is: 1-800-227-2345 or www.cancer.org DIALYSIS PATIENTS The End Stage Renal Disease Network (covering Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas)13 has identified 17 dialysis centers in regions 1, 3 and 9 that are closed because of the hurricane. The Network is assisting affected patients to receive services at the other dialysis centers that remain open. Dialysis patients impacted by Hurricane Isaac should call 1-800-626-1297 to find the nearest open dialysis clinic to schedule their treatments. The hotline is staffed by operators 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer inquiries from patients who may have relocated or whose clinic may have been affected by an emergency situation. For more information see www.ultracare-dialysis.com/

ESF-8 - MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH – STATE

BOIL WATER

The Safe Drinking Water Program staff continue contacting water systems throughout Louisiana to determine if they experienced pressure loss, flooding or other issues that warrant a boil advisory. Updated information is being made available twice a day as staff continue making contact with water systems. DHH created www.dhh.louisiana.gov/IsaacBoilAdvisories. The public can check this website, which will always have what is the most current list of boil advisories in effect. This site also contains a list of water systems cleared safe to drink. A news release was issued on this during the weekend, but the friendly URL will make it easier for the public to find and frequently check this site.

DEPLOYED AMBULANCES

REGION STATE STATE SPT VEHICLES

FEDERAL

1 40 1 8

2 8 1

6 5

7 10

9 5

TOTAL 53 2 23

AMBULANCES

MSSN: 2 Medical Special Needs Shelters are still open, one on standby in

Hammond

HOSPITALS: • 9 Hospitals conducted patient movement prior to the storm and subsequent

flooding, of those 7 were evacuated completely. As of today 3 of the hospitals are now fully functional (Oceans Behavioral Hospital Westbank in Gretna United Medical Healthwest in Gretna, River Parishes Hospital in LaPlace ) and four remain evcauated: (Children's Hospital-Calhoun Campus in New Orleans, DePaul (Psych) in New Orleans St. Theresa Specialty Hospital in Kenner, and Specialty Rehabilitation Hospital in LaPlace)

• Across the state, 60 hospitals lost power. Power has been restored at all hospitals, no hospitals are running on generators.

NURSING HOMES:

• Eleven nursing homes conducted patient movement prior to the storm or as a result of subsequent flooding. All but 4 have repatriated their residents.

• Across the state, 80 nursing homes lost power. Power has been restored at 75 nursing homes. 5 nursing homes are running on generator housing 635 residents. At this point, only Regions 1 and 3 have nursing homes on generator. All other regions are clear.

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES DHH is monitoring the status of Assisted Living Facilities. In the affected areas, twenty-five ALF’s reported evacuations, and 37 reported that they sheltered in place. Thirteen of the evacuated facilities have returned. Twenty-five reported that they lost power. Of those, 22 have regained full power. Of the remaining 3 without power, all have evacuated their residents either home or to alternate sites with power.

CURRENT SITUATION

ESF-8 - MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH - FEDERAL More than 200 experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services remain deployed in the Gulf to support response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Isaac. FEDERAL MEDICAL STATIONS Two Federal Medical Stations set up by HHS remain available as shelters for medical special needs patients, although the number of patients is decreasing as flooding recedes and electricity is restored to area homes and businesses, allowing patients to return to their regular care settings. On 3 September, the Federal Medical Station in New Orleans has 55 patients, down from a high of 77 patients over the weekend. A U.S. Public Health Services team of commissioned corps officers and a Disaster Medical Assistance Team from Virginia are providing medical care for these remaining patients. The FMS in Baton Rouge remains open to accept patients if needed. A Disaster Medical Assistance Team from Georgia is augmenting state health care providers in caring for nine medical special needs patients at a shelter in the Louisiana State University field house in Baton Rouge, adjacent to the Federal Medical Station set up at LSU. PATIENT MOVEMENT HHS staff and medical supplies continue to assist in moving patients in Louisiana, although this need is also decreasing, allowing 40 ambulances contracted through FEMA to demobilize. Sixty ambulances remain in service through that contract. In the first week after the storm made landfall in Louisiana, ambulances contracted through FEMA responded to more than 170 calls and treated more than 200 patients. Approximately 380 patients were transported using paratransit contracted through FEMA. .

INCIDENT RESPONSE COORDINATION TEAM The HHS Incident Response Coordination Team remains in Louisiana as a command-and-control element to support federal public health and medical personnel. HHS personnel also continue to serve as public health and medical liaison officers to the National Response Coordination Center, the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Centers, and state Emergency Operations Centers in Georgia and Louisiana NDMS DISASTER MORTUARY OPERATIONS RESPONSE TEAM HHS experts from an NDMS Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team are available to assist the state of Louisiana in identifying disinterred remains if needed. HHS also is prepared to deploy trained responders for Disaster Case Management and environmental health if requested by affected states. Twelve additional National Disaster Medical System teams remain ready to deploy if needed. DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service has approved the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) in nine parishes -- Ascension, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist and St. Tammany.

PEARL RIVER – CURRENT SITUATION

The National Weather Service has issued a new bulletin regarding the height of Pearl River. While still predicted to crest at 19.5 feet, the timing of the crest has changed and that is good news for St. Tammany Parish citizens. The Pearl is now expected to crest Tuesday, September 4th at the Town of Pearl River around 6:00PM. Travel time from the crest to the Military Road area is 10 – 12 hours. For St. Tammany Parish residents, this means that Lake Pontchartrain, which is already falling, will be lower when the crest approaches the lake. This will allow the Pearl to drain more quickly into Lake Pontchartrain, keeping flood waters in subdivisions for shorter time. Rivers rise slowly and crest slowly. Should water enter your area, you will have sufficient time to evacuate if necessary. THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS AT THE SITE ON LOCH 2. They were able to relieve the pressure by lowering the level of the water upstream to the lowest level possible. They are conducting tests to determine the structural integrity now. The mandatory evacuation remains in place until the Army Corps of Engineers tells us it is safe.

CURRENT SITUATION

ELECTRICAL – 3 SEPTEMBER ENTERGY workers have reduced the number of Hurricane Isaac outages by more than 645,000, or 84 percent, from the 769,000 system wide peak. In Louisiana, the slowly-receding flood waters have prevented ENTERGY from making repairs in Plaquemines Parish, but they will start today when they will convoy workers and equipment on the levee, set up a staging site in Buras and begin airlifting material to it. Outages at 8 a.m.: Entergy Gulf States Louisiana: 1,710 Entergy Louisiana: 99,846 Entergy New Orleans: 22,104 Total System wide: 123,660 Percent of customers restored: Entergy Gulf States Louisiana: 99 percent Entergy Louisiana: 77 percent Entergy New Orleans: 82 percent Total System wide: 84 percent

http://stormcenter.entergy.com/default.aspx

WEATHER CONDITIONS

AS OF 3 SEPTEMBER 2012

• 3 September: Hot and humid with scattered (30%) daytime showers/t-storms through Wednesday. Heat index over 100 each afternoon . Today and tonight isolated thunderstorms are expected across the area with the best coverage over Mississippi coast later this afternoon and this evening. Widespread severe weather is not anticipated. Flooding of rivers and low lying areas will continue. Excessive runoff into area rivers with several gages to have major flooding. The Pearl River will be the hardest hit area.

• 4 – 9 September: Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms through Saturday mainly during the afternoon each day. Frequent lightning and heavy downpours are possible with these storms. Heat index values will continue to range in the 100 to 105 degree range... Possibly higher in some locations and continue to have a greater impact on people who still do not have power.

• A strong cold front is expected to push through the area early Sunday. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to form ahead of the front Saturday night and early Sunday. A few storms may be strong with gusty winds Saturday night and Sunday. Several rivers in southeast Louisiana and coastal Mississippi remain in flood.

http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/LA/New_Orleans.html

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=LAZ062&warncounty=LAC071&firewxzone=LAZ062&local_place1=&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook

FLOODING

• Elevated water levels are still impacting several low lying areas. Significant river flooding occurring but some rivers are beginning to back down across the area.

• LaPlace - Water Level at the gauge is down to 3.75 feet – dropping about a foot per day. Normal level at the gauge is around 1.5-2.0 feet.

• Amite River - has crested and levels are now falling.

• Blind River crested at 6.1 feet on 2 SEPT. Water levels are now slowly falling.

• Bogue Chitto River - Water levels have crested and are now falling on the Bogue Chitto River. Major flooding continues at Bush, but will subside quickly.

• Pearl River - There is major flooding on the Pearl River for the next few days .

• Tangipahoa River – Water levels are subsiding at Robert.

FEDERAL RESPONSE

SOURCES: http://blog.fema.gov – 2 SEPTEMBER

MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS

NUMBER DATE STATE INCIDENT DESCRIPTION

4080 08/29 Louisiana Hurricane Isaac

4081 08/29 Mississippi Hurricane Isaac

EMERGENCY DECLARATION 3347 08/27 Louisiana Tropical Storm Isaac

3348 08/28 Mississippi Tropical Storm Isaac

Joint federal, state and local disaster assessments are underway in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. Plans are being made for assessments in other areas, as they become accessible. These assessments identify the damages in impacted counties to help the governor determine if additional federal support will be requested. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established two Federal Medical Stations that began receiving patients yesterday in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also is providing personnel and liaisons to support staffing of the Federal Medical Stations (FMSs). HHS also provided staff and medical supplies to assist in moving patients in Louisiana, using more than 100 ambulances and 300 paratransit seats available through FEMA's ambulance contract. Ambulances have responded to 172 calls, treated 218 patients and transported 85 people to emergency rooms. Approximately 380 people have been transported using paratransit. FEMA In support of Louisiana, FEMA recently transferred more than 1.4 million liters of water, 1.3 million meals, and 28,800 tarps to the State of Louisiana for the state to distribute to individuals at Points of Distribution (POD) sites. The state, in coordination with local governments, identifies the location of these PODs which are currently operating across a number of parishes. Individuals should contact their local emergency management for more information U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been closely working with Louisiana. Teams are on the ground providing technical assistance, such as hydraulic modeling and finding available portable pumps, to reduce flooding along the Tangipahoa River and in Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana. USACE also deployed emergency power teams to Mississippi and Louisiana, and commodities, debris and temporary roofing teams are deployed to Louisiana To date, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deployed more than 150 industrial-sized generators, overall, to supplement state and local resources. Of these, the Corps installed generators at seven sites, including a shelter, a command center, a water system plant and a sewer lift station.

US COAST GUARD U.S. Coast Guard continued to work with the maritime industry to respond to a number of ship groundings and barge strandings along the riverbank caused by the river surge and high winds of the storm. Additionally, Coast Guard hazardous materials response teams are surveying the area to identify any hazardous materials released during the hurricane. The Coast Guard Captain of the Port of New Orleans lifted all restrictions to vessel traffic on the Lower Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico after assessments and transits by smaller ships indicated that the channel is safe for all types of vessels

NOTE: On Friday, 31 AUG 2012 -The Louisiana major disaster declaration was

amended to include Individual Assistance for Jefferson, Plaquemines, St.

Bernard, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes. Yesterday, Ascension,

Lafourche, Livingston and Orleans Parishes were added to this disaster

declaration. Also, an amendment was announced, yesterday, for Mississippi

making federal funding available for affected individuals in Hancock, Harrison,

Jackson, and Pearl River counties. Assistance may include grants for temporary

housing and home repairs, uninsured property losses, and other programs to help

individuals and households recover from the effects of the disaster.

NURSING HOMES

NURSING HOME EVACUATION

NUMBER OF NURSING HOMES THAT MOVED RESIDENTS PRE-STORM

NURSING HOME REPATRIATION EVACUEES

9

Bayside Health Care (Gretna) Returned Luling Living Center (Luling) Returned

Ormond Nursing and Care Center 120 patients to evacuated Old Senior Village in Opelousas.

Maison DeVille Nursing Home (Houma) Returned Lafon Nursing Facility of Holy Family 63 residents evacuated to Tri Community Nursing Home in St Landry Parish.

Maison DeVille Nursing Home (Harvey) Returned

Raceland Manor Nursing Home Returned

West Jefferson Health Care Center in Harvey

Riverbend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Returned

NUMBER OF NURSING HOMES THAT MOVED RESIDENTS DUE TO THE QUINCY DAM

NURSING HOME

REPATRIATION

EVACUEES

2 Tangi Pines Nursing Home Emergency Evacuation due to Dam Breach; Moving patients to Bayside.

Poydras Home Returned

Across the state, 80 nursing homes lost power. Power has been restored at 75 nursing homes. 5 nursing homes are running on generator housing 635 residents.

DHH Health Standards continues daily contact with nursing homes running on generator and are closely monitoring fuel needs and burn rates, and are working with the associations to help facilities locate and secure fuel when needed.

PUBLIC WATER OUTAGES

BOIL WATER NOTICE SAFE WATER PRACTICES

WATER / SANITATION

“Health Department Issues Comprehensive List of Water Systems Under Boil Advisory following Hurricane Isaac” The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals' Safe Drinking Water Program today issued its most comprehensive water system boil advisory list following Hurricane Isaac for 28 Louisiana parishes under a boil water advisory go to:

http://www.labeoc.org/labeoc/alerts/Alert_Details.aspx?id=612

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are farming operations (clandestine) which are at high risk of disease transmission. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued cease and desist administrative orders to two chicken broiler facilities in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, for discharging chicken litter into a tributary of the Dugdemona River. Flooding will result in extreme fecal contamination into local watershed, and transmission of zoonotic disease. Rising waters overflowed from sewer lift stations in Northshore Beach near Slidell. As a result, Tammany Utilities was shutting off the sewer system for the area. The water supply to LaPlace was shut off to prevent contamination by Lake Pontchartrain flood waters. The water supply will resume when the water level of the lake recedes.

DANGERS OF FLOODING AND CAFOS

• For residents of parishes with a boil water notice: boiling at a rolling boil for 1 minute

• For municipal water users: Residents are encouraged to conserve water and to take extra precautions to ensure water purity before consumption.

• For private well users: If your well has been flooded, do not use the water for washing or drinking as flooding can contaminate well water with debris, sediments, and microbes. Even if the well appears undisturbed, it will likely be contaminated if it is fewer than 50 feet deep or more than 10 years old. Once contaminated, wells are very difficult to disinfect; follow the EPA’s guidelines for emergency disinfection of wells. In addition, do not turn on the well pump following flooding due to risk of electrical shock.

• Always wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water or with an alcohol-based sanitizer before eating or drinking and after using the restroom or coming into contact with floodwaters.

• Only wash wounds in clean water to avoid infection.

Sources: EPA I CDC I WWLTV | NOLA

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/afo/cafofinalrule.cfm http://www.waterworld.com/articles/2012/02/louisiana-cafo-ordered-to-stop-discharging.html http://www.waterworld.com/articles/2008/11/epa-finalizes-cafo-ruling.html

DIALYSIS

As a result of Isaac, Louisiana’s dialysis patients are particularly vulnerable, since they typically need treatment every 2-3 days, and any substantial delay can be life threatening. Dialysis patients impacted by Tropical Storm Isaac should call 1-800-626-1297 (Fresenius) or 1-800-400-8331 (DaVita) to find the nearest open dialysis clinic to schedule their treatments. WAFB Baton Rouge and

The following are some disaster preparedness tips for dialysis patients:

• Keep your emergency phone numbers handy. When bad weather threatens, contact your local facility and follow instructions they may provide. In a disaster, Fresenius Medical Care offers a patient hotline at 1-800-626-1297 for patients who need help finding the nearest open dialysis facility. The hotline is staffed by customer service specialists who can provide locations and contact numbers for alternate facilities, if necessary.

• Carry your up-to-date personal information with you at all times (ID, medication and allergy lists, insurance, emergency contact information, type of dialysis treatment).

• Talk to your doctor and family about your evacuation plan — what you should do and where you should go if a disaster strikes. Keep track of local weather forecasts.

• Create an Emergency Kit with emergency supplies and at least one extra three-day supply of medicines. Many patients find it convenient to keep medicines and medical supplies in an easy-to-carry fanny pack or backpack.

• Store a three-day supply of food based on your emergency meal plan. Speak with your healthcare team about when to begin following your emergency plan. Limit fluid intake to two cups per 24 hours and avoid fresh fruit and vegetables. Periodically check expiration dates of food items in the kit and replace when needed.

For more information on preparing for a disaster, visit

www.ultracare-dialysis.com. Information regarding dialysis care after disasters, such as Tropical Storm Isaac, can be found via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NEW ORLEANS – dialysis centers in New Orleans regained operation Thursday morning, August 30, and centers were expected to remain open throughout the day. Patients are instructed to contact their usual dialysis centers with questions. Transportation can be arranged by calling the Regional Transit Authority at (504) 658-2500. nola.com

PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER A DISASTER

Avoid wild or stray animals and biting or stinging insects.

Call local authorities to handle animals.

Get rid of dead animals, according to local guidelines, as soon as you can.

For more information, contact your local animal shelter or services, a veterinarian, or the humane society for advice on dealing with pets or stray or wild animals after an emergency.

For information on specific animal and insect issues, see protect yourself from animal- and insect-related hazards after a natural disaster.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ANIMAL - AND INSECT-RELATED

HAZARDS

PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if you breathe it. Never use generators, pressure washers, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper—or even outside near an open window, door, or vent.

Don't heat your house with a gas oven.

If you are too hot or too cold, or you need to prepare food, don't put yourself and your family at risk for co poisoning—look to friends, family, or a community shelter for help.

If your co detector sounds, leave your home immediately and call 911.

Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect co poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.

For further guidance on avoiding co poisoning, see protect yourself from carbon monoxide CLEAN UP SAFELY AFTER FLOODS

To prevent illness, disinfect and dry buildings and items in them. This will prevent growth of some bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew that can cause illness.

For more information, see flood water after a disaster or emergency.

KEEP FOOD AND WATER SAFE

Food may not be safe to eat during and after an emergency. Water may not be safe for cooking.

Water may not be safe to drink, clean with, or bathe in after an emergency, such as a hurricane or flood. During and after a disaster, water can become contaminated with microorganisms (for example, bacteria), sewage, agricultural or industrial waste, chemicals, and other substances that can cause illness or death.

Listen to and follow public announcements. Local authorities will tell you if water is safe to drink or to use for cooking or bathing. Follow local instructions to use bottled water or to boil or disinfect water for cooking, cleaning, or bathing.

For more information, see keep food and water safe after a natural disaster or power outage.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Always wash your hands with soap and boiled or disinfected water before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by floodwater or sewage. Use warm water when available. Wash children's hands frequently (always before meals).

Disinfect water for washing by mixing 1/8 teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water). Let it stand for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy, use a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.

If water isn't available, use alcohol-based products made for washing hands.

For more tips on washing your hands, see hand hygiene after a disaster.

PROTECT MENTAL HEALTH

The days and weeks after an emergency are going to be rough. Some sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, hyperactivity, mild depression, or lethargy are normal and may go away with time. If you feel any of these symptoms acutely, seek counseling. Your state, local, tribal health departments will help you find local resources, including hospitals or health care providers that you may need.

Seek medical care if you are injured, feel sick, or have acute stress and anxiety.

Keep as many elements of your normal routine incorporated into the disaster plans as possible, including activities to calm children's fears.

Be aware that you may have fewer resources to attend to your day-to-day conflicts, so it is best to resolve what you can ahead of time.

Turn to family, friends, and important social or religious contacts to setup support networks to deal with the potential stressors.

Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens. Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making judgments.

For additional resources, see disaster mental health resources.

PREVENT ILLNESS AFTER A DISASTER AVOID MOSQUITOES

PREVENT ILLNESS FROM SEWAGE

PREVENT TEMPERATURE-RELATED ILLNESS

PREVENT OR TREAT WOUNDS

AVOID WILD OR STRAY ANIMALS

Rain and flooding in a hurricane area may lead to an increase in mosquitoes, which can carry diseases like west nile virus. In most cases, the mosquitoes will be pests but will not carry communicable diseases.

To protect yourself from mosquitoes, use screens on dwellings, and wear long pants, socks, and long-sleeved shirts and use insect repellents that contain deet or picaridin. Care must be taken when using DEET on small children. More information about these and other recommended repellents can be found in the fact sheet updated information regarding insect repellents.

To control mosquito populations, drain all standing water left in open containers, such as flower pots, tires, pet dishes, or buckets, outside your home.

If there is flooding along with a hurricane, the waters may contain fecal material from overflowing

sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with floodwater.

If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, cloth, rugs, and drywall.

If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to floodwater, keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and applying an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection.

Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent and separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.

Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas and do not allow children to play with floodwater-contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. Disinfect toys by using a solution of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water. Some toys, such as stuffed animals and baby toys, cannot be disinfected; they should be discarded.

When standing or working in water that is cooler than 75 f (24°c): Wear rubber boots.

Ensure that clothing and boots have

adequate insulation.

Take frequent breaks out of the water.

Change into dry clothing when possible.

Immediately clean out all open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages that are large enough to cover the wound and contain any pus or drainage.

Change bandages as needed and when drainage can be seen through the bandage. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatment is needed (such as a tetanus shot).

If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek immediate medical attention.

If you are bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention. If you are bitten by a snake, try to identify it, so that if it is poisonous, you can be given the correct anti-venom.

Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom out. (See also the CDC rabies website, rat-bite fever: frequently asked questions, and medical problems and treatment considerations for the red imported fire ant)

CONTACT WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

If your skin or eyes may have come in contact with hazardous materials, such as acid from a car battery, wash thoroughly with decontaminated water and seek medical attention as needed.

If you have wounds, you should be evaluated for a tetanus immunization, just as you would at any other time of injury.

If you receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with feces, soil, or saliva, have a doctor or health department determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary based on individual records.

For further guidance, see emergency wound care after a natural disaster.

TETANUS IMMUNIZATION

Prevent heat–related illness: Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Take breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms.

Drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Do outdoor activities during cooler hours. For further guidance, visit the cdc extreme heat website.

Short bouts of diarrhea and upset stomach and colds or other breathing diseases sometimes occur in developed countries, such as the united states, after a natural disaster, particularly among large groups of people in a shelter. Basic hygiene measures like frequent hand washing or use of an alcohol hand gel, especially after using the restroom or changing diapers and before eating, can help prevent these diseases.

Diseases like cholera or typhoid are rare in developed countries and do not typically occur after a natural disaster.

For information on infectious disease, see infectious disease after a disaster.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

IMMUNIZATIONS

For information on immunizations for evacuees, relief workers, emergency responders and travelers, see immunization after a natural disaster.