Aftereffects of natural disasters (Helene, Milton, etc)

[Lambykins]

A lot of hurricane activity this season. Lots of tragedy, death and destruction.
BUT...the aftereffects.
In North Carolina, the mud and muck everyone has to go through is inundated with raw sewage and toxic chemicals.
In Florida, the situation is similar in various areas.
Now, when people are evacuated, sometimes they have to leave pets behind. Or, when flooding hits suddenly, pets and owners are seperated.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike (I was living in Beaumont Texas), dogs "packed up". For months afterward we had packs of dogs running through the streets. (Pack sizes ranged from 4 or 5 to 20+ ) Police had to be assigned to the school bus stops to protect the kids. We also had alligators in residential neighborhoods....washed in by the storm surge.
So, toxic mud, angry animals, raw sewage....
What preparations have you made regarding such threats to your health/safety?
What preparations CAN you make for such things?

[DarkAxel]

I've got a couple pairs of fishing waders with the boots built in that I used when working on septic systems. They are made of rubberized canvas and are completely waterproof. I think they would be perfect for flood prepping. They'll keep the toxic mud and raw sewage off your skin and can be washed off with a water hose.

As far as the angry animals go, I have a .22 Mag revolver I carry with me out in the woods for the same reason.

[Raptor]

I learned a lot of lessons cleaning up after Katrina.

The first lesson is have insurance. I suspect a lot of people in NC do not have flood insurance. The  national flood insurance program NFIP is one source of this insurance. Homeowners insurance typically does NOT cover flooding.

The floodwaters are nasty and smelly but with reasonable precautions is not toxic. That do NOT wade in it. Wait for the water to recede. There is no pint trying to salvage things if there you have to wade into flood waters.

If your home has been flooding remove all wet furnishings carpets anything flood damages. If you have running water go ahead and wash out the flood water. It will help a little and it sure cannot cause anymore damage.

If you can find a water damage response company hire them asap. That said most will already be booked. So plan on cleaning up yourself initially.

Use a 5 % bleach solution in water to try an keep the odor under control.

Remove the sheetroc up to 1 foot above the water line.

If you have power go ahead an get some window units to dry out the house.
 
Above all use ppe. Gloves boots and eye protection.