3 easy mistakes can be deadly after a hurricane: What to know

The deadly effects of Hurricane Helene have left lingering dangers even in areas where the rain has stopped falling.

The storm has brought over 2 feet of rain in some locations, and even pushed a Tennessee dam to the brink of catastrophic failure Saturday two days after the storm made landfall as a category 4 hurricane in Florida. Dozens have died in the hurricane’s wake, including those far away from the Gulf of Mexico.

With flooded roads to widespread power outages, residents face imminent risks as days of cleanup lie ahead. Here are three important tips for staying safe after a major storm.

Mistake 1: Driving into floodwaters

Never drive through flood water or go around barriers, officials in North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County, which contains Charlotte, warned in a social media post.

Put more simply, the post said, “Turn around, don’t drown.”

Most deaths in flooding occur in cars, the National Weather Service said. Even a foot of water can sweep a car off the road. 

In western North Carolina, officials have conducted over 130 water rescues, the Asheville Citizen Times reported. All roads in the region should be considered closed, and interstate freeways are impassible in multiple locations. Over 400 roads are still closed across North Carolina, state transportation officials announced.

“I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay away from the water,” Kevin Tipton, fire marshal for Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, said. “There are down power lines in the water, sewage in the water, and an incredible amount of debris. It is not safe.”

Mistake 2: Not being careful with a generator

Carbon monoxide deaths often increase after natural disasters like hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. This is because running generators emits the toxic gas from combustion that's odorless and colorless.

Do not place generators in enclosed areas, such as a garage. Instead, place them outside, away from windows or doors by at least 20 feet.

Mistake 3: Missing warnings from officials

Approaching noon Saturday, the NWS issued a flash flood emergency for towns and cities below the Nolichucky Dam. Dam operators warned excessive water flow over the dam led to a risk of "imminent" failure, which would lead to flooding downstream for thousands of people.

“If you are in low-lying areas below the Nolichucky Dam, you should move to higher ground immediately,” the NWS said. “This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.”

Look for alerts and conditions from local emergency management authorities, FEMA and NWS. FEMA’s site also has a list of local officials, from Alabama to Tennessee, who are responding to the crisis. If in an emergency, call 911.

People should be ready to evacuate if ordered to do so. For people who have to move, the Red Cross recommends to-go kits with three days of supplies. A stay-at-home kit should have supplies for two weeks, given that stores and pharmacies could be shuttered for days.

Contributing: USA TODAY, Asheville Citizen Times