(ModernSurvival.org) – It’s easy to focus on the possibility of drowning when facing a flood. After all, there is water everywhere. But while drowning is a major concern, especially in areas where the water is moving quickly and can sweep a person off their feet, it is by no means the only threat to survival. There are plenty of other concerns that could become fatal.

Infection

When a flood occurs, the water mixes with whatever it comes in contact with, including gasoline, sewage, industrial chemicals, and other contaminants. An open wound that gets this contaminated water in it could become infected.

Dehydration

This may seem odd when one is surrounded by water, but as the point above illustrates, flood water is far from safe to consume. Unless there are industrial-strength filtration units on hand, it is inadvisable to attempt purifying it to drink. Some chemical contaminants will bypass traditional filtration methods.

Carbon Monoxide

Floods often come accompanied by blackouts as power lines come down and power plants become overwhelmed. This leads people to make serious mistakes, such as cooking with grills or running generators indoors. The carbon monoxide these items release is deadly, which is why they should only be used outdoors.

Animals and Insects

Humans aren’t the only creatures that have to deal with the aftermath of a flood. Snakes, rats, mice, spiders, and all sorts of vermin will be looking for an escape from the water as well, which could lead them into homes. Even domestic animals can become dangerous during a flood, as they become stressed or hungry. In areas where alligators are known to dwell, there is always a chance they will begin to swim through floodwaters looking for a meal as well.

The following video shows another example of a threat that lurks in floodwaters: floating islands of ants.

As with any disaster, the best way to increase one’s chances of surviving a flood is to prepare before it happens. This includes knowing what dangers are out there, and how to respond if the event happens.

To see how much flood water it takes to knock a person off their feet, plus more tips on how to survive a flood, check out our article here.

~Here’s to Your Survival!

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