CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS | Gary Borders
As East Texas residents return to clean up their homes and businesses after extensive flooding earlier this month, the Texas Department of State Health Services urged residents and business owners to exercise caution. Among the recommendations: · Never use gasolinepowered generators or charcoal grills indoors. Keep them outside, at least 20 feet from homes to avoid possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Direct generator engine exhaust away from windows and doors · Never mix bleach with products that contain ammonia. Toxic fumes could be created.
· Disinfect household surfaces, woodwork and toys in homes that have flooded, using a solution of one cup bleach to five gallons of water.
· Wash hands often during property cleanup to avoid contaminating areas that have already been cleaned.
A large swath of East Texas recorded very heavy rainfall between April 28 and May 7. More than 25 inches fell in parts of San Jacinto, Walker, Polk, and Trinity counties. Downtown Livingston flooded. Excess water in Lake Livingston, fed by the Trinity River, exceeded amounts recorded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@ texaspress.com
