PROGRESS VILLAGE, Fla. — After Hurricanes Helene and Milton have come and gone, experts say mold left in the aftermath poses a health risk for Tampa Bay area communities.
They say people with allergies or respiratory problems face a higher risk of illness.
The American Red Cross went door-to-door Wednesday in Progress Village to alert residents about the dangers they could face from mold.
One team member told a resident that if their home was flooded, they should tear out the drywall in their home so mold doesn’t form.
It’s a message the American Red Cross has been sharing with urgency in communities like Progress Village since Hurricane Milton.
Homes in the community were flooded, and many for the first time.
“Progress Village Boulevard has never been underwater,” said Progress Village Civic Council Vice President Sean Bell Sr.
The Red Cross joined council board members as they went door-to-door to check on residents — many of whom were senior citizens.
A disaster like this was a first for Delores Fletcher, who has lived in her home since the 1970s.
The 83-year-old said she’s thankful for any help she can get.
“That’s what we do. You know, we pull together,” said Progress Village Civic Council Secretary Marlise Tolbert-Jones.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold typically develops within 48 hours of water damage.
Civic Council officials say some residents need extra hands to clean up.
American Red Cross North East Chapter Executive Director Kyle McWilliam Lopez said his organization is actively providing aid.
“We have shelters open right now, and then we’re also distributing emergency supplies like clean-up kits and comfort kits for families that were affected,” he said.
While the experience is stressful, Fletcher says she isn’t afraid to start over.
“We have been blessed so much that I know this stuff is replaceable,” she said.
On Saturday, the Progress Village Civic Council will bring together volunteers to help residents clean up their properties.
If mold is found to cover more than a 10-foot by 10-foot area, the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency recommend bringing in a trained mold remediation professional to clean it up.
The State of Florida requires contractors that clean mold to be licensed.