Hurricane Helen caused severe flooding in the Southeast.
Excess water in your home increases the risk of mold growth, which can lead to serious health risks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold in your home can look like colorful spots and have a musty odor.
If you find black mold in your home, follow these steps to keep yourself and your family safe.
Mold can cause a variety of symptoms, including stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, wheezing, burning eyes, and skin rashes.
Floodwaters inundated a main street after Hurricane Helen passed offshore in Tarpon Springs, Florida on September 27, 2024. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
Dr. Mark Siegel, a Fox News senior medical analyst who appeared on “Fox & Friends,” noted that wet walls can lead to mold that isn’t always visible.
Siegel said he is most concerned about two “very serious molds”: black mold and aspergillus.
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Black mold can appear as black or dark green spots, Siegel elaborated.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Aspergillus is invasive and can cause aspergillosis, an infection that usually involves the respiratory system.
Experts say Aspergillus is invasive and can cause a respiratory infection called aspergillosis. (St. Petersburg)
Siegel said both molds can cause symptoms such as allergies, infections, and even hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an allergic reaction that causes inflammation in the lungs.
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Mold can also cause respiratory diseases such as emphysema and asthma, the doctor added.
“I’m worried about people who are immunocompromised or have chronic illnesses,” he says.
For people experiencing allergy symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, the cause could be mold, doctors said. (St. Petersburg)
“It can be fatal if you have a weakened immune system or if you have had a transplant. It can cause severe mold infections.”
The CDC said people with conditions such as chronic lung disease can develop infections in their lungs.
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Cleveland Clinic experts reported in a news release that mold can develop in as little as 24 hours.
The sooner water damage is resolved, the less risk there is for mold to develop, says Dr. Maeve McMurdo, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Those suffering from the effects of Hurricane Helen should seek help from their pastors. franklin graham and samaritan’s wallet
“Obviously, the sooner the better, but it’s difficult,” she said in a release. “People are working on a lot of things, and water purification and mold remediation are a really big part of that.”
Siegel recommends that people who have power restored to their homes connect a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry out the space.
“Even if it’s cool outside, you still need air conditioning because you want to get rid of the humidity,” he said. “Moisture is where mold grows.”
Workers clean up the International Molding Frame plant in Morganton, North Carolina, which was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Helen in September 2024. (AP Photo/Kathy Kumonicek)
Doctors also recommend using bleach or vinegar to wipe mold spots on your walls, or hiring a professional to detect and remove mold.
“There are specialized organizations that can find mold hiding in every nook and cranny,” Siegel says.
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To prevent mold, the CDC recommends keeping humidity levels in your home below 50%.
The same source said the air should “flow freely” with the help of exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
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Experts advise that fixing leaks in your roof, walls, and plumbing can help keep moisture in your home from turning into mold.
Some people may choose to use professional services for mold detection and removal. (St. Petersburg)
The CDC also recommends avoiding carpeting in rooms with high humidity, such as bathrooms and basements, and replacing wet carpeting and upholstery.
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When cleaning mold stains, authorities warn, never mix bleach with ammonia or other detergents, as toxic fumes are released.
The CDC warned never to mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products, as toxic fumes are released. (St. Petersburg)
Experts advise that best practices include following the manufacturer’s instructions on the bleach container label, opening windows to let in fresh air, and wearing rubber boots, gloves, and goggles while cleaning. Masu.
People who continue to experience symptoms should seek medical attention, McMurdo urged. Although there will be a temporary virus outbreak during flu season, mold symptoms will linger.
Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.
