Homes Flooded by Hurricane Helene

Many people are faced with multiple challenges after a hurricane. People’s homes and property can be damaged by high winds and flooding. Someone whose home has been flooded has to deal with water damage to the building as well as loss of possessions. Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in western Virginia, with many people stranded without electricity or cell service while roads were blocked or washed away. Governor Youngkin has declared a state of emergency for Virginia, and President Biden has approved an Emergency Declaration for Virginia that will allow federal disaster assistance. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has set up a web site for people affected by Hurricane Helene, including information on damage assessment and state and federal assistance processes.

If you need help with cleanup after Hurricane Helene, you can contact the Hurricane Helene Cleanup Hotline at 1-844-965-1386 or contact your local emergency management office.

If your home has been flooded and you are returning to it after the flood waters have gone down, it’s important to be safe. EPA has information on returning to a flooded home on their website. Follow these guidelines to help protect yourself.

Cleanup Guidelines

Do not return until local officials say it is safe

Many areas have hazards such as downed power lines, roads that have washed away, roads blocked by debris, and damaged buildings that could be in danger of falling. Do not return to your neighborhood until officials have said it is safe to do so.

Stay out of the water

Do not enter a home that is still flooded. Flood water can hide debris such as broken glass and can be contaminated with chemicals such as household cleaners, gasoline, or pesticides. The water and mud can carry germs that could make you sick. Do not let open cuts or scrapes get wet with flood water.

Make sure the building does not have structural damage

Things to look for include roofs that sag in the middle or at the ends, walls that are not straight, missing support columns, new cracks in the exterior, leaning of basement walls, flooded crawlspaces and basements, soil that has washed away, or large objects that may have been carried by the water and run into your home. If there are any signs of structural damage, do not enter the home until it has been confirmed to be structurally safe. If you have entered the home and hear any unfamiliar shifting sounds, get out right away.

Do not enter a home if the electricity is on

Make sure the electricity is off. Standing water can create a shock hazard. Surfaces that wouldn’t normally conduct electricity will carry electricity easier when wet. The electricity should not be turned back on until it has been confirmed to be safe.

Wear protective clothing while cleaning

Wear protective clothes: rubber gloves, pants, and hard sole shoes. An N-95 mask and goggles should be worn when cleaning mold. Mold may start to grow within 24 hours on items that are continuously wet. Drying things out quickly will help prevent mold growth. Materials that are not dried out can continue to be damaged over time by mold, and a moldy home can cause breathing problems and other symptoms in sensitive people. To prevent mold growth, clean up any standing water that remains after the flood. Remove wet materials, and either throw them out or let them air dry for later cleaning. Initial cleaning can be done with regular household cleaners or detergent, then dry surfaces thoroughly. Solid surfaces that do not absorb water can be cleaned with disinfectant. You can get more information about cleanup here. After cleanup, wash all clothes worn while cleaning separately from other laundry with hot water and detergent.

Protect yourself from unhealthy indoor air

Inhaling mold can cause health problems, like allergic reactions or asthma attacks. Mud can smell unpleasant and could be contaminated with sewage, which can generate noxious odors such as sewer gas, also called hydrogen sulfide. Household cleaners and disinfectants can also generate irritating odors. Follow the directions on household cleaner’s label. Never mix household cleaners, because some mixtures can generate poisonous gases. Keep the home ventilated while you are cleaning by opening doors and windows.

People with asthma, mold allergies, or other breathing problems should not be involved in cleanup. If you do decide to clean up after a flood, be sure to wear an N-95 mask and get to fresh air quickly if you start to have trouble breathing.

Use generators safely

Generators produce carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide interferes with your blood’s ability to use oxygen. Generators should never be placed inside a building when in use, but outside away from windows and doors. Seek fresh air immediately if you feel lightheaded or like you might throw up when using any generators, camp stoves, lanterns, or other similar items.

See a doctor if you get sick

If you feel sick after flood cleanup, see a doctor. This could include symptoms like rashes or skin infections, breathing problems, fever, body aches, nausea and vomiting, or diarrhea. Germs, mold, and chemical exposures could all cause symptoms, so you should get checked out by a healthcare provider if you feel sick.

DIY home remediation after a flood

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has information for those planning to remediate their homes after a flood. Information can be found here and topics include:

  • Installing, roof, window and door tarps
  • Removing standing water
  • Wall cleanup and removal
  • Floor cleanup and removal
  • Drying everything out

There are additional things to consider when remediating your property. Do any of the items you are removing contain asbestos or lead-based paint? For more information visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website here to learn more.

Hurricane Helene and Flooded Homes

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26 in Florida, but then moved north, ending far inland. When it reached the Appalachian Mountains, heavy rainfall led to flash flooding and landslides. In southwest Virginia, many people are still without power and cell service, and roads are blocked by fallen trees or washed away by flooding. Virginia received approval for a federal emergency declaration for the counties of Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the City of Galax.  People needing help with cleanup can call the Hurricane Helene Crisis Clean Up hotline at 1-844-965-1386 and contact their local emergency manager for help. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has a page for Hurricane Helene with information about cleanup and damage assessments.

If your home has been flooded, be cautious when returning. Flooded homes can have a variety of dangers, such as electric shocks, mold, broken glass and other debris, bacteria in flood water and mud, and structural problems. Don’t return to the area until local officials have said it is safe. Do not enter a flooded home until it has been inspected to make sure it is safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidance for cleaning up a flooded home.

Drinking water systems may not be able to disinfect water properly because of flooding. Before you drink the water, check with your water utility to make sure there is not a boil water advisory. For a boil water advisory, bring water to a rolling boil and let it boil for one minute, then cool before using. Some communities will also have drinking water distribution points. Check with your local officials for where you can go to get bottled water.

 

 

School Mold Reporting

Summary as Passed

Local school boards; mold testing; parental notification. Requires each local school board to develop and implement a plan to test and, if necessary, a plan to remediate mold in public school buildings in accordance with guidance issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill requires each local school board to (i) submit such testing plan and report the results of any test performed in accordance with such plan to the Department of Health and (ii) take all steps necessary to notify school staff and the parents of all enrolled students if testing results indicate the presence of mold in a public school building at or above the minimum level that raises a concern for the health of building occupants, as determined by the Department of Health. The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2021.

Full information can be found in the Code of Virginia § 22.1-138. Minimum standards for public school buildings.

School Reporting Resources

Mold sampling plans and mold testing results can be reported at the links below.

School Board Mold Testing Plan

School Mold Test Results

If you have any questions about submitting a mold testing plan or mold test results, please contact us at (804) 864-8182 or toxicology@vdh.virginia.gov.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mold?

Mold is a fungus which can include multicellular fungi that produce hyphae, unicellular yeasts, and in some excessively damp environments, mushroom producing basidiomycetes. It grows by sending out tiny hairlike structures called hyphae. It often grows in circular patches, but can also look like a powdery dusting over a surface.  

Mold is sometimes confused with efflorescence, which are salts that leach out of concrete and form a white powdery substance. Efflorescence will dissolve in water, while mold does not. 

What are the health effects of mold?

For most people, mold causes symptoms similar to allergies, with itching or burning eyes, sneezing, and coughing. People who have asthma may have asthma flares when exposed to moldy environments. 

Some molds can produce substances called mycotoxins that can cause more serious symptoms if present at high enough levels.  These can cause cold or flu-like symptoms, eye irritation, headache, skin rashes, fatigue, and dizziness. 

Where can it be found?

Mold can be found in the air in most places as spores, which mold releases to spread to new areas. In damp places, mold will grow on surfaces. It is not unlikely to find it in your home, office building, school, grocery store, and any other place if conditions are humid enough. It grows best on porous surfaces like paper (including drywall paper) and fabric, but can grow on concrete, wood, and even metal. Mold is often found in damp areas like basements and crawl spaces, or in bathrooms where surfaces are frequently wet or if there is a plumbing problem. It can even be found in places such as heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems, between walls, in the crawlspace, or on insulation. 

What are acceptable levels indoors?

There are no current local, state, or federal acceptable levels (air concentrations) of mold in the air. However, when comparing similar mold collected at the same time inside and outside; the level found inside should be less than ½ the level found outside. This level raises a concern that there may be an ongoing moisture problem inside the building; which may impact the health of individuals if not addressed. There are limitations to this mold sampling in air: (1) it is only representative of the time the samples were collected, (2) air levels of mold are higher in the summer and fall, and lower in the winter and spring, (3) mold levels outside are drastically reduced when there is snow outside, (4) time of day and activity inside the building have been documented as impacting levels, (5) if there is agricultural activity outside, (6) and others. 

Professional judgement should be used when evaluating any indoor air mold levels. 

Note: Mold levels in air are typically reported as spores per cubic meter (spores/m3) or colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3). 

How to prevent mold growth?

The key to preventing mold growth is moisture control. Mold cannot grow when the environment is too dry.  

  • Fix leaky plumbing and leaks in the building envelope as soon as possible.
  • Watch for condensation and wet spots. Fix source(s) of moisture problem(s) as soon as possible.
  • Prevent moisture due to condensation by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in air (humidity). Maintain low indoor humidity, below 60% relative humidity.
  • Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
  • Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside where possible.
  • Perform regular building/HVAC inspections and maintenance as scheduled.
  • Clean and dry wet or damp spots within 48 hours.
  • Don’t let foundations stay wet. Provide drainage and slope the ground away from the foundation. Make sure gutters are maintained and cleaned. Direct downspouts away from foundations. 

How to select a contractor or mold specialist?

Virginia does not license or certify mold contractors. If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up and testing for mold. Contractors should have experience in designing mold sampling protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional organizations. Many of these non-governmental organizations provide professional certification in mold sampling/remediation and certification should be considered when selecting a contractor.

Where do I find guidance to clean up mold in schools?

Follow the guidance in the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide.

 

Additional Resources

The Virginia Department of Health encourages schools to use its dampness and mold assessments tools to help assess areas of dampness in buildings and to help prioritize remediation of problems areas. There is one assessment tool for teachers to evaluate their classroom and one for staff/maintenance personnel for use throughout the building. These are available below as forms that can be filled out electronically or printed and filled out by hand.  Routine use of these tools will help school districts monitor moisture/mold in school buildings so these problem areas can be addressed before they impact the health of staff and students.

School Mold Assessment Reporting Tool - Building Evaluation Form

School Mold Assessment Reporting Tool - Building Evaluation Form (printable version)

School Mold Assessment Reporting Tool - Classroom Evaluation Form

School Mold Assessment Reporting Tool - Classroom Evaluation Form (printable version)

Who Do I Contact For Help With Mold Removal?

Rental Properties/Apartments 
If you live in an apartment and you feel that your landlord/property manager has not promptly addressed your concerns, please contact the Virginia Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section. The Office of Consumer Protection provides information to individuals on matters related to landlord-tenant issues, and can be reached at either 804-786-2042 or 1-800-552-9963.  Additionally, the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Sections 55-248.2 through 55-248.40 of the Code of Virginia) establishes the rights and obligations of residential landlords and tenants in the Commonwealth, but only the courts can enforce those rights and obligations.  To review the Act, please click on Virginia Residential Landlord & Tenant Act.

Residential Homes
moldremedIf you own a residential home, it is recommended to contact a mold assessment, remediation, or removal company that holds a certification from the American Industrial Hygiene Association. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) does not assess the credentials of, or make recommendations regarding, specific mold specialists.

 

NOTE: VDH does not have the capability to provide environmental testing or remediation for mold problems. Concerned citizens are advised to follow the practical advice given on this site, refer to additional resources, and if necessary, consult an environmental specialist.