Hurricane Helene ravaged towns, leaving buildings submerged in the water. Some areas received anywhere from 3 to 12 feet of storm surge. Now that the storm has passed, cleaning up after Hurricane Helene can be a nightmare, leading to mold growth and adverse health effects.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, mold can be a serious issue, from mild to severe symptoms. In as little as 24 hours, fungi can grow rapidly.
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“The sooner we can get the water damage cleared up and get the environment dry, the less risk there is of mold growing,” said Dr. Maeve Mac Murdo, a pulmonologist for Cleveland Clinic. “But obviously, the sooner, the better, and it’s hard; people are dealing with a lot, but cleaning up the water and this mold remediation are really a big part of it.”
While some people may not notice any, others may be more sensitive to mold exposure.
Symptoms of mold exposure typically include difficulty breathing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, and coughing. They could also feel like a cold or the flu.
Once the mold has been removed, the symptoms usually go away.
However, if the mold is not treated, it could have lasting effects that lead to severe problems.
It’s important to note that when cleaning up mold, you should wear protective gloves and a mask.
“The EPA has some great resources, particularly if you’re dealing with mold and you’re dealing with flooding. Their website has a lot of advice about when to call an expert and when you can do it by yourself,” Murdo said. “If you are doing it by yourself, and again you can, it’s really important to wear protection like an N95 mask, gloves, and goggles. And make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated space as much as you can, so you’ve got some airflow.”
It’s best to contact a physician if you’re exposed to mold.