Staying safe through California’s...

He emphasized that people should continue to be prepared. “Just because it is sunny today, it does not necessarily mean you are out of hazard’s way,” he reiterated, further suggesting that individuals, especially those with access or functional needs, should create an evacuation plan.

Taylor then emphasized another way the public can continue to be alert and that is by staying informed and listening to local authorities. If they say to evacuate, it is essential that one follows their guidance. He spoke on how shelters are accessible and take into consideration the access and functional needs one may need.

“If you don’t know what’s going on, you won’t know what to prepare for or what appropriate action to take,” he encouraged webinar attendees to stay in the know by signing for free emergency alerts. The following website is where one can go to sign up: https://calalerts.org/

Post-flood health tips

Dr. Jason Wilken, who is a CDC Career Epidemiology Field Officer, was next to speak on information regarding the public’s health when returning home after a flood.

“The best thing you can do to protect your health is avoid contact with flood water,” Dr. Wilken said, emphasizing how flood water can contain things that are harmful to one’s health. He detailed some of the following things as toilet waste, bad germs, hazardous chemicals such as gas, heavy or sharp objects that can injure you, as well as live or even dead animals. Contact or consumption of food or water contaminated by flood waters can lead to serious illness like diarrhea and skin infections.

“Children are especially at risk based on their behavior,” Dr. Wilken warned audience members, urging them not to allow their children to play near or in flood water as well as steering them away from toys that may have been contaminated.

If one does need to be in contact with flood water, he encourages them to wear rubber gloves and boots in order to protect their skin from contact.

“Floods can have a substantial impact on your drinking water,” Dr. Wilken continued, highlighting how it is unsafe to drink contaminated water. He also provided suggestions on what to do if one is unsure of the water source they have.

Regarding tap water, Dr. Wilken emphasized that local authorities would let you know if it is safe to use or has to be boiled. Those with flooded wells also must stay safe by getting in touch with local environmental health or the water department in order to get the water tested and disinfected. Lastly, bottled water, while generally safe due to being sealed, also must be handled with care especially if the outside container has been in contact with flood water.

“Flooding can also contaminate food. Contaminated food is unsafe to eat,” Dr. Wilken added, further suggesting that other than undamaged cans or pouches, one would need to throw out any fresh or packaged food that has been touched by flood water. The sealed containers, while the food is safe, will also need to be disinfected if they have been contaminated on the outside.

This then led into a discussion about how to clean and disinfect surfaces or items that have been contaminated. Dr. Wilken suggests a common cleaner recipe of one tablespoon of bleach mixed into a gallon of water. “Never mix cleaners,” he additionally emphasized. Another safety hazard that can appear due to flood waters, is the presence of mold. Dr. Wilken made sure to point out that drying your home as well as removing items that are damaged by the water, is the best way in preventing mold from growing. “Mold will grow on hard surfaces. You can contact your local health department for guidance on mold remediation,” he described, adding that after 48 hours, one can assume there is mold on an item or surface unless it has been dried.

Dr. Wilken provided the following links for more information on how to safely return home after flood as well as some further details about mold.

Social Safety Net Program

Kim Johnson, Director of the California Department of Social Services, spoke next on a variety of resources that people can turn to for assistance. She first directed people to turn to the following website (https://www. cdss.ca.gov/ ) by the CDSS that acts as a disaster assistance resource center and hub.

“A lot of our safety net service delivery is expanding in real time,” Johnson described, highlighting one of the resources that people can turn to, CalFresh. During this time, the three approved counties under the Major Disaster Declaration will have disaster CalFresh offerings at local assistance centers, which essentially provides people with resources needed regarding food essentials. If one is already in the program, they can essentially replace the food resources they lost due to the floods within ten days of the loss.

“We find in these events that individuals, families, and households are impacted in ways they aren’t anticipating.

In addition to all the great federal resources that have been mentioned, we do have the most robust safety net array of any other state across the country,” Johnson expressed, noting that there is support provided based on every individual’s need, such as food, cash, and even housing assistance.

While this time is stressful on the physical, Johnson emphasized how the state also acknowledges that this stress can also impact one mentally and emotionally, especially if they are navigating through the changes brought upon by the storms. One program that is in place with hopes to ease these stressful times is called CalHOPE. This program can be reached through the following phone number, 833-317-HOPE, and their website www.calhope. org.

The CalHOPE program also has a separate number that focuses on acting as a “friendship line” for those who are isolated, especially older adults. They can be reached at the following number, 888-670-1360.

“We’re putting out these opportunities and resources for real connections for those impacted and disrupted in their living circumstances and situations,” Johnson emphasized, where the variety of resources that everyone has detailed ranges in how they help those who have been impacted, from their physical needs to being able to talk to someone.

California Department of Insurance

Tony Cignarale, Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Consumer Services & Market Conduct Branch at the California Department of Insurance, spoke on how to handle damages caused by the flood through insurance.

Cignarale detailed what can and cannot be covered by insurance during winter storms. He emphasized how it is all dependent upon what coverage one has. “In order to get covered for a tree falling on your car or flood damage you would need what’s called comprehensive coverage on your vehicle,” he described, where “for homes, businesses, or renters” it would be covered under standard homeowners, renters, and commercial property insurance policies.

However, even so, the type of damage and the cause is also crucial to every case. “Flood damage, which could include mudflow and debris flow, wouldn’t be covered under the standard policies unless you have separate flood insurance,” Cignarale explained, where rather most flood insurance is based upon the FEMA sponsored flood insurance program, the National Flood Insurance Program. If you don’t have this insurance purchased, flood damages on your home or business will not be covered.

“However, there is one exception. If you’re in an area that had a prior wildfire and if the cause of the flooding to your property was from the burn scar of the prior fire, then you could have coverage under your home, renters, or commercial policy,” Cignarale described, emphasizing how the person would just have to be able to prove their claim by showing that there was a direct relationship between the fire and flood.

Cignarale ended his section by providing the following link (https://www.insurance.ca.gov/) to access more details on insurance and coverage during these times, as well as a number to call the California Department of Insurance, 800-927-4357.

Final thoughts

The webinar ended with, once again, the emphasis on the safety of the public, where the information provided was encouraged to be spread through media outlets and of course in telling loved ones.

A webinar attendee asked one final question. The speakers were asked to address how we can help protect our loved ones, especially elders, during these times. This is significant for the Filipino community, as our elders are very much central to many of our family lives.

“If you are able to spread this information, about the right and wrong places to go, I think that will be a huge help,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo answered, showing how we, as community members, can do our part to really help others and spread the word that can possibly change or even save a life.

“I think a lot of it comes down to a support network. That we have to be willing to do a bit of handholding… keep in close contact with the whole community and make sure we support each other on that front,” Vance Taylor added, further encouraging people to use the resources talked about in the webinar and essentially guiding those who may not be able to utilize them on their own.

Therefore, you, as a community or family member, can do your part in spreading the information that was provided above. Help keep your loved ones safe as well as yourself. Be prepared and diligent as we know not what the future will hold. If you, or a loved one, is currently in need of assistance in recovery or if you have been impacted by the recent storms, please visit the following link: https://www. disasterassistance.gov. (Amrylois Ferido/AJPress) n