Several people were filmed paddling canoes through streets turned into canals after heavy rainfall swept parts of Utah on Oct. 5, a vivid scene that underscored broader challenges beyond spectacle. The footage, shared with NBC News, showed residents navigating submerged vehicles and storefronts as emergency crews worked to clear drains and respond to stranded motorists.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for affected areas as localized downpours overwhelmed aging stormwater systems. “Floodwaters can rise rapidly and hide hazards such as open manholes, contaminated sewage and downed power lines,” an official at the Utah Department of Emergency Management said in a statement, urging residents to avoid contact with standing water and to heed evacuation orders.

Public health officials warn that the immediate image of recreational canoeing masks more dangerous realities. Floodwater in urban areas frequently contains sewage, chemical runoff and pathogens, creating risks of gastrointestinal and skin infections, especially for people with underlying health conditions. “Exposure to contaminated water is not a harmless adventure,” said a public health epidemiologist at a university in the region. “We worry about people who lack access to clean water, whose homes are flood-prone, and who may delay seeking care because of cost or transportation barriers.”

Local clinics and social service organizations reported fielding calls from flooded households seeking shelter, medications and help with mold mitigation—an issue that can cause persistent respiratory problems and disproportionately affects those living in older, poorly ventilated housing. Renters and low-income homeowners, who are less likely to have flood insurance or savings to cover repairs, face longer recoveries and higher risk of displacement, experts say.

Emergency officials emphasized that the spectacle of people canoeing should not obscure the need for infrastructure investment. Storm drains, culverts and retention basins in many urban neighborhoods were built decades ago and are not designed to handle the intense, concentrated storms that climate scientists say are becoming more common. Federal and state officials have in recent years increased funding for flood mitigation projects, but advocates say the pace is too slow and funding too concentrated in affluent areas.

“This is a warning sign,” said a community organizer who works with affected neighborhoods. “When floods become a photo op for some, it’s often because others are already losing homes and livelihoods. We need planning that centers the most vulnerable—renters, non-English speakers, seniors on fixed incomes.”

Longer-term policy responses include updating building codes, widening green infrastructure such as permeable surfaces and rain gardens, and prioritizing mitigation dollars for historically underserved neighborhoods. Public health planners also call for better continuity plans for clinics, dialysis centers and pharmacies to ensure uninterrupted care during storms.

For now, health officials advise residents to avoid contact with floodwater, boil or use bottled water if taps are affected, photograph damage for insurance claims, and seek medical care for any signs of infection. As the canoe images circulate on social media, officials say the concern is not only for viral virality but for the practical work of rebuilding in a way that protects public health and promotes equity.