Citizens urged to avoid Pocomoke River near Snow Hill due to

– causing major flooding in areas — such as worcester and wicomico counties. and what’s in the waters could be more dangerous than you think. 47abcs michelle mackonochie has the details. “water can become contaminated the instant it touches any other contaminant.” even though bodies of water such as this one may look safe – officials warn – stay away. they can contain harmful bacteria that can make you very sick. track 1 another body of water that was deemed contaminated because of the flooding? the pocomoke river near snow hill. on friday – the worcester county environmental programs advised that everyone avoid contact with the river – due to a combined sanitary overflow. over 10-thousand gallons of combined sewage overflowed into the river. they are advising that nobody fish – swim – or wade in the waters. “even just simple bacteria can cause illness.” track 2 dennis dicentio of the wicomico county health department says if you do come in contact with contaminated water — one of the main dangers is to any open cuts you might have. “just like any other wound that could get infected your chances go up significantly with contact of flood waters.” track 3 dicentio says contact with contaminated standing water can also give you stomach illnesses due to viruses that could be in the water. also potentially dangerous? oil and gasoline from vehicles that may have seeped into the water. dicintio adds something as simple as not washing your hands – could make you really sick. “especially if you’ve had flooded waters in your house – make sure you remove all the contaminated materials whether its dry wall or carpeting.” “if you have contaminated food make sure you dispose of that.” track 4 dicintio says for those who use personal wells as their water source — they should get guidance on disinfecting their well or get someone to sample it for bacteria. and for those who think constant flowing water will solve the problem — “regardless if it’s standing of moving it still has the ability to contain contaminated material.” track 5 michelle mackonochie 47 abc. 47 abc reached out to worcester county commissioners and they say they will be conducting water samples of the pocomoke river on monday. officials from