Concerns Over Monsoon Storms And Your Health

Storms can be dangerous. Car crashes, power outages and flooding are normal and expected when it’s pouring rain outside. There are more underlying risks when it comes to these storms as well that put your personal health in jeopardy.

“Monsoon storms can come without a lot of warning, they can be dangerous, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director for the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Flood and rain water can be contaminated as well, one of many contaminants being sewage. It is extremely important to keep children away and not leave any of this water pooling around near your home. Standing water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can carry St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile virus.

Christ suggests staying indoors during storms or if you must be outside, covering your nose and mouth. In addition, staying away from the flood water left behind by monsoon storms is the best option.

“You’re going to want to keep kids from playing in flood water because sometimes that can contain sewage or contaminated water,” Christ said.

Air quality can be another huge concern when it comes to powerful storms. Skin irritation, eye irritation, asthma or allergy flare ups and a weakened immunity system are just a few risks.

Dust storms spread so much debris over days or even months, which can cause coughing and stuffy noses. They also cause visibility issues, which means people are unable to escape from the troubling conditions.

Monsoon storms can cause power outages, which can lead to no air conditioning. Cooling stations must be provided in order to be able to beat the summer heat. This is especially important for elderly citizens to take advantage of.

Weather is also known to have a huge impact on your mental health. Gloomy, perilous storms can cause anxiety, depression, and overall stress. Summer storms are known to cause aggression in people who are experiencing intense heat. This makes having others with you during a storm very important for your overall wellbeing.

Climate change and warming temperatures are worsening storms and their frequencies. Having to face devastation and destruction so often is exposing us to these harsh health threats more than ever.

For summer storm safety tips, visit: https://www.adt.com/resources/summer-storm-protection and https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/06/16/summer-storm-safety-what-you-should-know