After Hurricane Ian struck Florida in September , many resident physician found themselves manage with twist and piss damage to their homes . But for many , the biggest head ache would come weeks afterwards , in the form of difficult - to - eradicate mold .
Robert Maglievaz , an environmental executive for the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County , told Earther that , even if clay sculpture was n’t seeable in some homes soon after the hurricane , resident should assume it ’s there . This is peculiarly on-key for any household that was partly flood . “ When it looks like you ’re seeing blistering paint , a lot of that mold will arise behind the paint , ” he said . allot to Maglievaz , if control surface that had mould scrubbed off were not almost all dry , the spore would have taken root and go around all over again .
The Department of Health in Volusia Countyissued a press releasein former October with advice for house physician work to barricade the spreadhead in their community . This included throwing out anything that was in floodwater and that citizenry could not whole dry out out . Residents were also propose to remove as much molding as they could or else of painting over the spots . “ Failure to assure moisture and mould can exhibit brusque and long - terminal figure wellness jeopardy , ” the section warn .
In this aerial view, flooded homes are shown after Hurricane Ian moved through the Gulf Coast of Florida on 5 April 2025 in Port Charlotte, Florida.Photo: Win McNamee (Getty Images)
Florida householder Bill Doyle toldABC Action Newsin November that he did n’t bonk how bad the mould equipment casualty in his home was until he flake up tile and get a line green spores spread under flooring . “ I was in denial . I did n’t cogitate I had stamp like that , ” he said .
Mold can show up as a soil or a fuzzy growth on article of furniture and construction materials like drywall , wood , and newspaper , expains aguide from the Florida Health Department . If those materials were waterlogged , the mold can take root and circulate throughout the mansion within the first calendar week after a violent storm . It may appear harmless at first , but mold can “ digest constituent material , finally destroying the material they grow on,”says a FEMA mould guide .
Mold does n’t just destroy housing material ; it may also be a health risk of infection , especially for peopleweaker immune systemsor who are particularly hypersensitized to mold . Maglievaz said that the Florida Health Department does n’t track private illnesses that may be unite to mold outbreak , but he has anecdotally heard about people feel cold - comparable symptoms after mould exposure . “ [ Mold ] causes an rabble-rousing response in the eubstance . You ’re operate to get an allergic reaction or asthma trigger , ” Maglievaz said . “ That ’s consistently been what I hear when people call in and they say [ that ] their planetary house is flood . ”
multitude exposed to mold who may be sensitive often complain of optic and throat irritation . They ’ll also finger close as if they have a cold , according to a CDC mold guide .
Many home indemnity policies do n’t cover mold . A householder would have to purchase a separate flood insurance that will hide those damages , Investopedia reported . An Octoberreport from the New York Timesoutlined that mold remediation can be expensive . In some places , mould damage coverage is capped . In Florida for deterrent example , some insurances only underwrite up to $ 10,000 Charles Frederick Worth of damage , the New York Times reported .
Mold is fuel by moreintense rain , high temperatures , andflooding — all of which are more likely to materialize under climate variety . Other communities slammed with bad storms in late old age have also struggled to control clay sculpture eruption . Hurricane Idabrought wink flooding and record rainfallto New York City in 2021 , inundating basement and first - floor apartment . mildew specialists were swarm with calls from upset city residents at the time , Curbed reported .
Maglievaz said this year ’s hurricane time of year should be a lesson that tempest training and recovery must let in more preparation for mold , admit look up remedy professional ahead of time and having gloves and masks for protective cover during cleanup . “ Just assume that it ’s there , assume it ’s a menace to your wellness , ” he said .
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