Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States affecting specific localities or entire river basins and multiple states.
Select a topic link for more information:
What to do after the Flood
CAUTION: Because of the extensive damage and soil saturation caused by floods, private or public drinking water wells may not be safe to consume and may be contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants such as sewage and chemicals. If you suspect your well has been affected by flooding, you should have your well disinfected and tested. If you are a customer of a water utility, you will be notified of advisories and precautions to take by the utility in cooperation with DEQ.
In addition, wastewater and chemicals from inundated and malfunctioning septic tanks or storage tanks may have seeped into the ground and contaminated the ground water, even after the water has been tested and found to be safe. It will be necessary to take long-range precautions, including repeated testing, to protect the safety of drinking water. See additional flood tips in links below.
Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
After a flood in your area, use only water that has been deemed safe to consume or has been properly disinfected for consumption such as drinking, cooking, making prepared drinks and foods, and for brushing teeth. See emergency disinfection methods in the link below.
Visit these sites for more information
- How to Protect Your Well System Before the Flood
- What to do After the Flood - Well Inspection & Treatment
- EPA Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water
- Chlorinating a Well and Water System - A Homeowner's Guide
- Flood Cleanup Health Tips
- Mold Cleanup After Floods
- EPA Mold & Moisture Guide
- Mold Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Mold and Mildew Cleanup Tips
- Mold Cleanup Guidelines - Tips and Techniques
- Flood Information and Guidance from DPHHS
- Vaccination Recommendations When Working Around or Cleaning Up Flood Waters in Montana
- Boil Order Fact Sheet
- MT WARN - Montana Utilities Helping Utilities
- Surface Water Treatment Plants - Flood and/or High Erosion Events
- Wastewater Treatment Facilities - In Case of Flooding
- Inciweb - National Incident Information System
- Montana Disaster & Emergency Services (DES)
- Real Time USGS Flow Data for Selected Montana Streams
- Lewis & Clark County Flood Information
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) FloodSmart.gov
- National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Spring Outlook
- West MT NOAA 2011 Spring Flood Potential
- Ready America Flood Safety