Environment
First Come the Floodwaters, Then Comes the Mold
After a hurricane or tropical storm, mold, which can cause health problems, spreads easily in flooded homes and is difficult (or expensive) to remove.
When Hurricane Florence made landfall on September 14, it pummeled the Carolinas with high winds and staggering amounts of rainfall. The storm dumped more than 30 inches of rain in some areas, causing rivers and roads to flood. Then, this month, after it decimated homes in the Florida Panhandle, Hurricane Michael caused serious flooding in Virginia.
Now, thousands of victims will assess and repair the damage to their homes. Many will tear out flooring and drywall to try to get rid of mold.