Electrical hazards are one of the many hazards that can occur in a flooding incident involving potential exposures to harmful substances, or contact with energized surfaces or energized water itself. During a flood, a hazardous flow of electric current can occur from submerged or damaged electrical equipment and the associated risk of electrocution from water damaged appliances. During the cleanup and recovery phase, possible electrical hazards include using powered hand tools in a wet environment or reusing electrical appliances, lighting or other electrically powered equipment which was damaged and no longer safe to use.
The electrocution hazard depends on factors including the position of the body in contact with various surfaces, the body parts in contact with the water, whether a Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor (GFCI) was used for personal and circuit protection, the nature of the damaged equipment which electrified the water, and dissolved components or contaminants in the water. In a flooding situation, GFCIs or dual function arc fault circuit interrupters and GFCIs installed in the main circuit board automatically shut off the electricity and are particularly important for creating safe conditions.