Flood Fears

"The ground becomes saturated with water, and we get more rain on top of that, and the water has no place to go but to intrude into most people's basements," said Ron Engle, general manager of Paul Davis Restoration in Sioux City. "The longer they stay wet, the increased chance they have for damage, and that can lead to mold and other problems."

The mold left in your home by water is not like the mold that grows on old bread. This mold can cause severe allergic reactions and potentially fatal respiratory seizures, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it begins growing in only 24 hours.

"The first thing you want to do is get everything clean and dry as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours," said Kapp, the Wisconsin health official. "The recommendation is to clean all hard surfaces with a bleach-water solution. Things that can't be cleaned and dried should be discarded.

"Small areas of mold could be cleaned up by your average homeowner," Kapp said, but she warned: "If it's a large area, it would be good to consult an expert for cleanup."

© 2008