Fwd: MULTIPLE ADVISORIES FOR PANAMA CITY WATERWAYS DUE TO RAW SEWAGE RELEASES

September 18, 2020

MULTIPLE ADVISORIES FOR PANAMA CITY WATERWAYS DUE TO RAW SEWAGE RELEASES

City of Panama City reports multiple raw sewage releases due to flooding from Hurricane Sally

Contact:

Heather Kretzer

850-252-9670

Heather.Kretzer@FLHealth.gov

Panama City, Fla. –The City of Panama City
is reporting releases of raw sewage from several locations that started on September 15. This is due
to flooding from Hurricane Sally. Amounts are unknown currently.
Bodies of water affected include;
Watson Bayou, Robinson Bayou and portions of St. Andrews Bay.

The Florida Department of Health in Bay County (DOH-Bay)
advises against swimming in Panama City in Watson Bayou, Robinson Bayou and St. Andrews Bay from a half mile east and west of Grant Avenue until further notice. The
City of Panama City will test the water and share results with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Bay County Health Department.
Once levels are safe, the advisory will be lifted.

Sewage contamination of water can expose swimmers to
intestinal viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Swimming in the water may cause
symptoms like food poisoning with vomiting and diarrhea. Infection is possible in
open cuts and wounds that come in contact with the water.

DOH-Bay recommends the following precautions to help prevent illness from flood waters:

• Basic hygiene is critical. Wash your hands with soap and water, especially before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after changing a soiled diaper,
  after participating in flood cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated with flood water or sewage.

• Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with flood waters.

• Do not wade through standing water. If you do, wash your body and put on clean clothes.

• Avoid contact with flood waters, especially if you have open cuts or sores.
• If you have any open cuts or sores and come in contact with flood waters, wash the area well with soap to prevent infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.
• Residents who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past five years will need a tetanus booster.

For more information, contact the DOH-Bay’s Environmental Health at 850-481-4806 or visit Bay.FloridaHealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the
Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in
Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at
@HealthyFla and on
Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department
of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 Call Center 24/7 +1 (866) 779-6121 or email
COVID-19@flhealth.gov

Find county-specific information on Florida’s COVID-19 Data and Surveillance Dashboard.

See
dashboard

Review case, monitoring and PUI information on the latest COVID-19 Daily Report.

See
the report

Text bayhealth to 888-777

BayHealthCOVID19.com

Bay County Citizens Information Center 7 days a week 10 am – 6 pm  (850) 248-6090 or email
ask@baycountyfl.gov

Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

NOTE: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are public records available
to the public and media upon request. Your email communication may therefore be subject to public disclosure.