Following hurricanes, one of the biggest issues for flooded residences is MOLD! What to do about this?

"Building Research Partnerships to Assess Health Effects of Hurricanes: Creating the Mold Education and Resource Center" by Arbor Quist from UNC-Chapel Hill at @SEDAAG4

Specifically, in Robeson County, NC, 70% of surveyed residents had applied for FEMA financial assistance, but >50% of those had negative experiences. So a more community level response would be beneficial.

In the meantime, people were continuing to live in their hurricane-flooded and now moldy houses. One person said she would come home and clean her house of mold every day while taking care of mold-sick family members.

Surveyed people said they were unaware they should even wear masks when going into their house after the flooding because of the mold.

In response, the non-profit Rebeson County Disaster Recovery Committee has held Survivor Summits where people can tell their stories, share tips, and they have held 1-day mold trainings for their residents.

The authors worked with this committee to develop a tool-lending library tailored for residents fighting mold. They interviewed residents to find out what tools would be useful, and provided training to those who would be lending the tools.

The most useful tools were found to include basic educational materials, gloves, goggles, and moisture meters, and also more expensive wet/dry vacs, dehumidifiers with air purifiers, respirators, and Tyvek suits.

The library is about to be completed, opened, and advertised to the community.

[It will be interesting to see if it helps people feel better about evacuating for future hurricanes and recover afterward without solely relying on FEMA assistance.]