Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III urge residents to use extreme caution during and after a flood.

"Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live,” said Pries, who has oversight of the county’s Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). “Some municipalities in Dauphin County are moving into the recovery phase, while other areas, such as the City of Harrisburg, are still dealing with major flooding."

The following safety measures are recommended during a flood:

• Listen to local media outlets for information.
• Do not drive through floodwaters—a foot of water will float many vehicles.
• When evacuating, secure your home, turn off utilities and disconnect electrical appliances.
• Report power outages and downed power lines to your provider.
• Call your water provider if you have questions or concerns about the safety of drinking water.
• Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Return to your home only when authorities say it is safe. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
• In areas where floodwaters have receded, roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car. Never go around barricades, even if a roadway appears clear.

"Please call 9-1-1 in and only in an emergency,” Haste said. “If you have questions about your electricity, gas or water service, please contact your provider.”

"Even though flood waters are starting to recede in some places, please try to limit travel so that roads are clear for emergency and first responders who are providing response and recovery efforts,” said Hartwick.