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Area homeowners now feeling the effects of improper flood cleanup
Posted 9/8/00 by Dan Gearino Many Dakota County residents are now discovering hidden damage from the severe storm July 7-8. Luckily, the deadline to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance has been extended from Sept. 1 to Sept. 12, so help is still available. David Gisch, director of county emergency services, said that the county applied for the 12-day extension largely because of numerous recent reports of illness associated with mold growth in formerly flooded rooms. ìSome people cleaned up in an efficient manner, but some didnít allow enough time to dry up,î Gisch said. County Commissioner Nancy Shouweiler describes the problem in a recent prepared statement: ìStanding water on the floor could mean water seeped into the sheetrock on walls, and then into the wall studs behind the sheetrock ó maybe even into the cement block. If the wet sheetrock or studs arenít removed and replaced or at least cleaned and dried, they can promote growth of mold days or weeks later. Using a wet-vac on wet carpeting probably wasnít enough to get all of the moisture out of flooded carpeting. Mold can be a significant health threat, especially for children, seniors or people who already have chronic respiratory problems.î Marilyn Herman of University of Minnesota Extension Office-Dakota County, said that emergency services workers learned from a previous flood in Fargo to expect the ill-effects of improperly cleaned rooms months after a flood. Hermanís office attempted to publicize proper cleanup methods, but many county residents didnít get the message. Herman estimates that more than 2,000 homes in the county are experiencing problems with mold growth, even if they donít realize it. ìItís what we feared all along,î she said. According to the county public health office, symptoms of mold exposure can vary, but are often similar to allergic reactions. Symptoms can include respiratory problems, nasal or sinus congestion, a dry or hacking cough, wheezing or difficulty breathing, sore throat, eye irritation, skin irritation or central nervous system problems such as constant headaches, memory problems or mood changes. ìPeople who only had an inch to six inches of water didnít see themselves as flood victims,î Herman said. ìIt wasnít until a month later when things started to stink and they got itchy eyes that people realized they had a problem.î Even with the symptoms, Herman fears that the mold may continue to go undetected, as residents will associate the symptoms with fall allergies as opposed to a structural problem in the home that will not go away until it is thoroughly removed. Those who didnít detect mold early now have to face a much more involved cleanup. ìNow weíre talking about mold that has spread through entire walls,î Herman said. ìIt may even be necessary to re-do a childís bedroom or move it out of the basement.î Herman and Gisch encourage residents who sustained any flood damage to call FEMA at 1-800-462-9029 before Sept. 12. A building inspector will visit the home and possibly find previously undetected damage. Hermanís office, experts in removing mold, can be reached at 651-480-7700. The officeís Web site contains mold-removal information as well (www.extension.umn.edu/county/dakota).
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