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Mold a concern for flooded southeast Michigan homeowners

via buildingdetroit.org

  First the flood waters, now the concern is about mold.

Many southeast Michigan basements flooded on Monday.

George Miller is the director of Oakland County’s Department of Health and Human Services. He says to avoid mold, homeowners should remove everything damaged by water from their flooded basement.

“The biggest thing is, the faster you can get the water out of your basement and start to dry it out, the less chance you’re going to have for the mold that everybody’s concerned with,” says Miller.

But Miller says homeowners should be careful where they are moving water-damaged items.

“We don’t want you taking the wet stuff up into your living room or your dining room or your kitchen,” says Miller. “We suggest it go outside so the sunlight can also assist in drying it.”

Miller expects communities hit by Monday’s flooding will be able to work with trash haulers to remove water-damaged furniture and other personal possessions. 

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.