Staying Healthy After Flooding and Storms

Simple, natural, and practical health tips for everyone

After a major flood, taking care of your health is just as important as repairing damaged homes. Contaminated water, fast-growing mosquitoes, and emotional stress can create new challenges—but with simple, natural habits, you can protect yourself and your family.

1. Drink Safe Water and Eat Safe Food

Floodwater often mixes with dirt, sewage, chemicals, and germs, increasing the risk of diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera.

How to stay safe:

Drink only clean, safe water

  • Always boil drinking water for at least 5 minutes.
  • Let it cool and store it in a clean, tightly covered container.
  • If available, sealed bottled water is a safe option.

Eat freshly cooked food

  • Avoid street food or restaurant meals for a few days—hygiene may be affected after flooding.
  • Cook meals thoroughly and reheat until steaming hot.
  • Wash fruits and vegetables with boiled or otherwise safe water.

Natural options for cleaning food when clean water is limited

These natural items can help reduce surface germs on produce and utensils:

  • Lemon juice — acidic and helps reduce bacteria
  • Turmeric water — mild natural antibacterial properties
  • Salt water — helps remove dirt
  • Vinegar — useful for washing vegetables when boiled water is scarce

These do not replace boiling for drinking water, but they can support safe cleaning practices.

2. Prevent Mosquito-Borne Diseases Naturally

Floods create many mosquito breeding sites, increasing the risk of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.

Simple natural ways to protect yourself

  • Remove all stagnant water around your home.
  • Sleep under mosquito nets, especially at night.
  • Wear long-sleeved clothing during peak mosquito hours (morning and late afternoon).

Natural mosquito repellents

Use skin-safe options such as:

  • Lemongrass or citronella oil
  • Neem oil diluted with coconut oil
  • Lavender oil

You can also burn lemongrass leaves, neem leaves, or citronella candles in the evening to reduce mosquitoes around your home.

Seek medical attention quickly if anyone develops:

  • high fever
  • severe headache
  • rash
  • persistent vomiting

Early treatment can prevent complications.

3. Protect Your Skin and Wounds

Floodwater carries germs that can easily infect cuts or scratches.

Safe and natural wound care

  • Wash the wound with clean water and soap as soon as possible.
  • Apply natural, gentle antiseptics like:
    • Turmeric paste
    • Aloe vera gel
    • Honey (natural antibacterial)
  • Keep wounds covered with clean cloth or bandages.
  • Avoid walking barefoot in or near floodwater.

Seek medical care if you notice:

  • redness
  • swelling
  • pus
  • fever
  • worsening pain

4. Cleaning Your Home Safely After Floods

Cleaning after a flood exposes you to mud, debris, and mold.

Stay safe while cleaning

  • Wear gloves, boots, and masks if you have them.
  • Keep all windows and doors open to improve airflow.
  • Wash hands often with soap and clean water.

Natural cleaning options

If commercial cleaners are unavailable or irritating:

  • Vinegar + hot water for wiping surfaces
  • Lemon + salt for scrubbing stains
  • Neem water (boil neem leaves) for floor cleaning and reducing odors

Why avoid very harsh disinfectants?

Strong chemicals don’t harm your immune system directly, but they can irritate your skin, eyes, and lungs, especially in poorly ventilated homes. This irritation can make you feel unwell and reduce your body’s natural protective barriers. Using milder options when possible is safer for daily cleaning.

5. Caring for Your Mind and Emotions After a Disaster

Floods affect not just the body—but also the heart and mind. Losing homes, possessions, pets, or loved ones brings deep emotional pain.

It’s normal to experience:

  • Fear when it rains
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Stress or irritability
  • Sadness or crying spells
  • Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
  • Flashbacks or nightmares

These feelings are natural responses to trauma.

Healing emotionally: gentle, natural ways

  • Talk to someone you trust—sharing reduces emotional burden.
  • Practice deep breathing daily:
    • Inhale 4 seconds
    • Hold 2 seconds
    • Exhale 6 seconds
  • Try simple grounding exercises like touching the floor, noticing smells, or naming objects to calm the mind.
  • Light stretching, slow walking, or gentle yoga helps reduce stress.
  • Stay connected with supportive family, friends, or neighbors.
  • Reduce exposure to distressing news or social media.

When to get professional help

If sleeplessness, fear, or sadness lasts more than a month or interferes with daily life, consider talking to a counselor, doctor, or mental health worker. Post-traumatic stress is real but treatable.

6. Support Your Community

Recovery becomes easier and faster when people help each other. Share safe water if you can, help clean neighbors’ homes, and check on the elderly or those living alone.

A community that supports each other heals stronger and faster.

Final Thoughts

After a flood, health and safety should be your first priority. Using natural disinfectants, boiling water, avoiding mosquito bites, and taking care of your emotional well-being will greatly reduce the risks many people face after disasters.

Sabbe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta ~ May all beings be Healthy

Dr. Indunil

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