Video - Mold is a new concern for flooded homeowners

[Guest guest]

Mold is a new concern for flooded homeowners

WSBT-TV - South Bend,IN*

by Leanne Tokars (ltokars@...)

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/15447961.html

ELKHART — It's a one-two punch for local homeowners dealing with

flooding. Now they're dealing with another concern — mold.

The Elkhart County Health Department and Emergency Management are

urging homeowners to take precautions.

There's a lot to clean up on DeCamp Boulevard.

" I have three pretty good size sump pumps going, and they're running

constantly now, " said Bob .

Pumps are now a common fixture in 's Elkhart neighborhood, as

people try to get the water out of their homes.

But for many, standing water remains inside their basements.

That's why the Health Department is concerned. If an area is not dry

within one to two days mold can start to grow.

" Mold is in our environment. If you give it the right kind of food —

the right kind of setting — it will take over, " said Hulewicz

of the Elkhart County Health Department.

Which means if you don't dry it all out quickly, it could impact

your health.

" Most people will suffer allergy type symptoms — they'll have a

stuffy nose, headaches, and those types of things. However, if it

becomes extremely burdensome, people that are most susceptible are

children, the elderly, and the immune-compromised. They can become

so sick that they cannot inhabit those places, " said Hulewicz.

It's a big worry for the owner of one house near 's. She has

four pumps running, but the water continues to pour in where her

children used to play.

She never had time to fully clean up from the flood before this one

and she is not alone.

" We've had a lot of rain and snow. The water doesn't have a place to

go, " said .

Elkhart County health officials urge homeowners to wear rubber boots

and gloves, and goggles when dealing with flood waters.

If the water's been there for more than a couple days, you should

also use a respirator.

Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry building materials.

And before you throw away any items that cannot be washed and

disinfected, first put them in plastic bags to prevent contaminating

other areas of your home.

Click " Cleaning up after a flood " in the Related Content box for

more suggestions and tips.