How to get help if you have mold after floods

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Published: Wednesday, February 18, 2009

How to get help if you have mold after floods

By Gale Fiege

Herald Writer

Everett Herald Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:20 AM PST

http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090218/NEWS01/702189793

STANWOOD -- If you can see it or smell it, your health might be at

risk.

Mold could be a major problem for people whose homes were flooded in

January.

A good cleanup effort is essential to fighting mold, and care must be

taken to completely dry your home in order to prevent structural

damage and serious respiratory health problems, said White,

public health adviser with the state Department of Health's

environmental health division.

Information on how to deal with mold will be available at the Federal

Emergency Management Agency's Stanwood disaster recovery center when

it opens at noon Thursday in the youth exhibit hall at the Stanwood

Camano Community Fairgrounds, 6431 Pioneer Highway. Regular hours at

the FEMA center are set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through

Saturdays. The FEMA center at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in

Monroe closed Tuesday.

Homeowners, renters and business owners who had flood losses can

register for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 from 8

a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Online registration is available at

www.disasterassistance.gov.

While it is possible to register at the disaster center, FEMA

officials encourage people to register online or on the phone before

visiting. Going to the disaster center is good idea, said

Pennington, Snohomish County emergency management director. FEMA

officials at the center can answer questions about eligibility and

help people complete loan applications, he said.

More than $3 million in federal disaster assistance has been paid to

Washington residents to help them recover from January's floods.

If people are denied FEMA assistance, there is an appeal process. For

information about an appeal, visit the Stanwood disaster center or

call FEMA at 800-621-3362.

The federal Small Business Administration also plans to be on hand at

the Stanwood disaster center to provide disaster aid to homeowners,

renters and businesses affected by the recent floods.

People need to register with FEMA first, then SBA representatives

plan to help people at the center get money to repair or replace

items damaged by the floods that weren't fully covered by insurance.

Businesses of all sizes can borrow up to $2 million and don't have to

have physical damage to quality for a loan. If the floods caused an

economic injury to a business, that also qualifies, SBA officials

said.

Hiring reliable contractors to repair flood-damaged homes or

businesses is important. Federal officials are urging consumers to

use common sense when hiring repair contractors. Contractors should

be licensed with the state. Consumer information is available at

www.atg.wa.gov/SafeguardingConsumers.aspx or by calling 800-551-4636.

Anyone who suspects someone of posing as a contractor, inspector or

disaster victim or of committing fraudulent acts should contact the

FEMA fraud hotline at 866-720-5721.

Financial assistance also is available for farmers and ranchers who

have flood debris to remove or need to repair such things as fencing,

said , Farm Service Agency county executive director in

Lake s.

The federal Department of Agriculture offers additional programs to

help farmers and ranchers recover from disaster damage, said.

For information call 425-334-3131 or go to www.fsa.usda.gov/wa.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@....

Fight mold

Mold growth is common in flood-damaged homes. Dampness in basements,

walls, carpets and wood provides an environment for mold to flourish.

Throw out what can't be washed. Allow surfaces to dry before

replacing drywall, insulation and floor coverings. Bleach and soapy

water are the best cleaners.

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