Why floodwater can hide nasty surprises
With the holiday weekend ahead, a lot of people are excited to get outside and enjoy that sunshine, but there’s a few things that people should be cautious of. If you’re headed out to the local creeks or even small rivers, flooding is still a problem, and you should never swim in floodwaters.
Current levels for smaller rivers and waterways are back to almost normal levels. Your typical hotspots for float trips and swimming may not currently be in a flood stage, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still dangerous.
Today I spoke with Colin Wright of the Southern Boone Fire Protection District about why swimming in flood waters is so dangerous. Aside from the obvious fact that there can be currents and quickly rising waters, Mr. Wright also told me that flood water often contains contaminants that can be harmful to your skin. For instance, flood water can infiltrate sewage as well as crop fields that have pesticides on them. When you get into the water, you’re running the risk of swimming in chemicals and waste. This is such a concern, that water rescuers wear specific gear in order to protect them from these harmful contaminants.
As always, have a fantastic weekend and enjoy Mother Nature, but safety is, of course, our priority here at ABC17 News. We’re going to continue to do everything we can to keep you alerted of what you can expect if you’re headed outside.
