Our communities are resilient, and so is nature.
With hurricane season in full swing and storms bringing wind and flooding across the state, let’s discuss necessary steps we must take to rebuild beautiful gardens safely following a flood.
In this post we will briefly cover:
GENERAL POST-FLOOD SAFETY
Urban environments generally have a greater flooding risk due to the high amounts of impervious or “non-penetrable” surfaces. Instead of soaking into the ground, excess water runs off these surfaces and pools in lower-lying areas.
Flood waters can carry chemical contaminants and biological pathogens from flooded sewage treatment plants or septic tanks, industrial manufacturing sites, animal waste, and more. It is important to protect yourself against exposure to harmful contaminants carried by floodwater.
- Do not wade through flood water
- Wear protective equipment (gloves, boots, mask)
- Wash your hands frequently during and after cleanup
FOOD SAFETY
Produce that has been exposed to floodwater should be dealt with conservatively to avoid illness. When handling produce contaminated by flood waters, wear gloves and wash hands regularly.
Discard (do not compost):
- Leafy greens
- Berries
- Plants with fruits (tomatoes, peppers, melons, etc.)
- Root crops or other underground crops such as peanuts
- Any produce meant to be eaten raw that has been directly exposed to flood water
- Unripe fruit directly exposed to flood water
Some produce can be boiled or otherwise cooked to reduce the biological pathogen risk. However, exposure to chemical contaminants (heavy metals, petroleum products, etc.) cannot be remedied by cooking or preservation. If you choose to harvest some produce, it should not be harvested and consumed right away.
Wait 72 hours prior to harvesting. Then thoroughly clean, peel, and cook (do not consume raw):
- Ripe produce that has been indirectly exposed (such as by splashing) to flood waters
- Tuber vegetables such as carrots, radishes, and onions
Produce that has been exposed to flood water in any way is not high quality and should not be preserved.
SOIL
Restoring soil health is one of the most crucial steps to flood recovery.
Soil that has been saturated with floodwater contains both chemical and biological contaminants. In extreme cases, soil may need to be removed and replaced. Gardens located in areas where the risk of chemical contamination is high are more likely to have higher levels of chemical contamination. These gardens should consider replacing soil or created raised garden beds. To restore soil health following a storm:
- Do not plant or work soil until the top 2-3 inches are dry
- Aerate the soil
- Test the soil for altered pH and chemical contaminants
- Add organic amendments such as compost, leaf mulch, and composted manures to rebuild soil structure and health
- Monitor closely for fungal pests
It is recommended to wait 90-120 days before harvesting new produce in previously flooded areas.
Saltwater Flooding
Before and during a hurricane, coastal communities can experience storm surge. The ocean rise in response to a hurricane can create saltwater flooding. This increases the amount of salt in the soil and can severely harm plants that are not salt tolerant.
When flooded with saltwater:
- Rinse root zone with freshwater (or allow rain to do this for you)
- Make necessary soil amendments or in extreme cases, replace soil
When flushing out saltwater, avoid oversaturating the soil all at once as this will remove the oxygen in the soil and cause root rot and soil pest issues.
IRRIGATION
Private wells and public sources such as city water can be contaminated with floodwater before, during, and after a storm. To make sure your garden is not being irrigated with contaminated water:
- Check local advisories and avoid using city water if you are issued a “boil order”
- Disinfect, flush, and test private wells that were located within 50 feet of floodwater
For flooded wells, it is important to test the water after disinfection. Using bleach will help rid water of harmful pathogens, but it is not effective against chemical contaminants.
Florida Department of Health: Flooded Well Testing
RESOURCE RECOVERY
As our communities recover, these are some strategies that can help restore the garden to an even better condition than before:
- Organize clean-up days
- Fundraising through crowdsourcing
- Apply for aid (if the garden is under a non-profit organization)
Given the chance, our gardens can be just as resilient as our communities. By working together, we can restore our gardens safely and return them to the productive green spaces enjoyed by many.
If you have any questions about steps to garden recovery, please contact Kaleena Davis, Ornamental Horticulture Assistant at UF/IFAS Extension in Hillsborough County at kaleenadavis@ufl.edu.
References:
NC State Extension: Managing the Impact of Flood Water on Vegetable Garden Produce and Soil with NC Extension (video)
National Center for Environmental Health: Guidance on Microbial Contamination in Previously Flooded
Outdoor Areas
LSU Ag Center: Microbial Safety Of Fresh Produce In Home Gardens After Flooding
Southern Nevada Health District: Safety Precautions During and After Floods
US FDA: Guidance for Industry: Evaluating the Safety of Flood-affected Food Crops for Human Consumption
NC State Extension: Handling Flooding and Storm Damage in the Landscape
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