Two weeks after the historic flooding in San Diego following heavy rains, the repercussions of the storms on public health are starting to manifest.
Amid the deluge, 81-year-old Miguel Gomez and his wife Martha, who live on Beta Street in San Diego, experienced a harrowing 30 minutes inside their home of over five decades as floodwaters inundated their space, lifting their furniture afloat.
“I placed my wife atop the couch. The water reached up to my neck, and she ended up inhaling water into her lungs,” recounted Miguel Gomez, according to ABC 10 San Diego.
Following a daring rescue by firefighters, both were diagnosed with hypothermia.
Martha, hospitalized for a week, faced various complications, including pneumonia and a blood clot in her lung. Upon her discharge, she now relies on supplemental oxygen.
Near the Gomez residence on Beta Street are two tiny homes owned by Koko Fajardo. Flooding ravaged both houses.
A photograph taken five days after the deluge shows Fajardo and her husband demolishing their homes, with Fajardo pictured wearing a protective face mask.
Around that time, despite the mask, she started experiencing symptoms, including body aches, persistent migraines, and severe congestion.
“Complete body aches, lingering migraine, complete congestion of my head,” shared Fajardo.
Her plight is not unique, as others are also grappling with health issues. Dr. Vi Nguyen, a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente, has observed children falling ill in the aftermath of the flood, with gastrointestinal problems being the most prevalent.
Nguyen points out that flood victims and volunteers are at risk due to particulates in the air and water. Exposure to these elements has resulted in asthma attacks and can lead to respiratory problems such as sinus infections and pneumonia.
“All the water and mud... and they're breathing it in,” noted Dr. Nguyen. “After major storm events, we see an increase in viral and bacterial respiratory illnesses,”
To mitigate risks in flood-prone areas, Dr. Nguyen recommends wearing an N95 or KN95 mask, showering afterward, practicing thorough handwashing, and using an air purifier.