Flood water may be polluted by sewage, chemicals and/or animal faeces if water has run off fields. Sewage rises and may escape through drains, along with rodents. Polluted flood water can cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including diarrhoeal disease.
Other risks include:
These can affect a wide range of people. The most vulnerable are the very young, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions such as individuals on kidney dialysis and those with a compromised immune system. When areas are flooded there can be difficulties in the supply of food, water and power to the affected areas.