ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As residents and business owners return to the Island, officials remind them to be mindful of inherent hazards following a flooding storm.
The Holmes Beach building official’s office issued the following warning: “When power is restored or if you still have power, please ensure that all breakers for any outlet, light fixture or appliance are turned off before turning on your main breaker. Especially for any outlet that is located below the highest water line in your property. This is for all interior and garage or external outlets. Likely, they all had water intrusion and will have salt inside, which can be a fire risk when power is restored. Once all breakers have been turned off and the main breaker is turned on, check each individual breaker as you turn them back on. If you see smoke or any signs of fire, immediately turn the breaker off and consult with a licensed electrician. Do not charge electric vehicles or golf carts in any outlets below the water line that have not been checked and tested.”
Several fires in Holmes Beach during the storm were reportedly caused by lithium ion batteries in golf carts.
Water infiltration into the high-voltage battery of an electric vehicle can lead to damage, heightening the risk of a battery fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The fires may erupt instantaneously or manifest days, weeks or even months after exposure to saltwater. Using or charging batteries exposed to floodwaters poses a serious risk of fire.
According to FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), most hurricane-related deaths occur during the post-impact period, with prominent causes of death and injury being electrocutions from downed power lines, chain-saw injuries and blunt trauma from falling trees.
Floodwaters may contain a variety of hazards that pose a health and safety risk, including sharp objects, sewage, bacteria, chemicals, diseased insects and animals, according to FEMA
