Anyone who lived through Katrina in 2005 or Sally in 2020 knows how a storm’s damage keeps going after the wind dies down. Water gets in through the roof, around windows, or from flooding at ground level. Then Mobile’s heat and humidity take over. According to the EPA, if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold will not grow. After a hurricane, when power may be out and everyone in town needs help at the same time, that window closes fast.
This guide walks through what to do, in order, from the moment you get back into your home until the two-day mark. It follows guidance from the EPA and CDC and adds what we see in houses around Mobile County after a storm.
Before You Go In: Safety First
Mold is a real problem, but it is not the most dangerous thing in a flooded house. Handle these first:
Electricity. If water reached outlets, the breaker panel, or appliances, do not walk through standing water or touch anything electrical. The CDC says never to turn power on or off while you are standing in water. If you can reach the main breaker from a dry spot, shut it off. If you can’t, wait for the power company or an electrician.
Gas. If you smell gas, the CDC says to turn off the main gas valve, open the windows, and leave the house right away. Call the gas company from outside.
Generators. Carbon monoxide from generators is a serious danger after storms. The CDC says never to run one inside a home, garage, carport, or porch, or less than 20 feet from any door, window, or vent.
Structure. Sagging ceilings, cracked foundations, and soft floors are signs to stay out until the house has been checked.
Floodwater. Floodwater can carry sewage, chemicals, and debris. Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves, and wash your hands with clean water after touching anything it soaked.
Hours 0 to 12: Document and Stop the Water
Take photos and video before you move anything. Walk every room. Photograph water lines on the walls, damaged furniture, flooring, and appliances. Your insurance company will want this, and it is much harder to prove damage once it has gone to the curb.
Call your insurance company early. After a big storm, adjusters get booked up fast. Opening a claim right away gets you in line sooner. Ask what documentation they need and whether they want to see damaged items before you throw them out.
Stop more water from coming in. Tarp roof damage and cover broken windows if you can do it safely. Pump or mop out standing water. A wet/dry vacuum works for shallow water. Deeper flooding needs a pump.
Hours 12 to 24: Get Air Moving
Mold needs moisture more than anything, so drying is your top job for the first day.
Open the house up when outdoor air is drier than indoor air, which it often is in the days after a storm passes. Open windows and doors and run fans to push humid air out.
Run dehumidifiers and AC if you can. Once power is back and you know the system is safe, air conditioning and dehumidifiers pull a lot of moisture out of the air. One important exception: if any part of your heating and AC system was flooded, the EPA says not to use it to dry out the house. That includes the air handler, ductwork, and return vents. Have a professional clean and check it first.
Move wet belongings out. Get rugs, furniture, boxes, and clothing out of wet rooms, outside or into a dry space, so the walls and floors can dry.
Hours 24 to 48: Decide What to Keep and What Goes
This is the step people put off, and the one that makes the biggest difference. Porous materials that soaked up floodwater hold moisture deep inside, where fans can’t reach it. The CDC’s guidance is clear: anything that was wet with floodwater and can’t be cleaned and dried completely within 24 to 48 hours should be taken outside. Photograph it for your insurance claim first.
Usually needs to go if soaked by floodwater: carpet and carpet pad, mattresses and upholstered furniture, drywall and insulation below the water line, ceiling tiles, particleboard furniture, cardboard, paper, and stuffed toys.
Usually can be cleaned and dried: hard plastic, metal, glass, sealed tile, and solid wood furniture, if it is dried quickly.
Drywall. When water wicks up a wall, drywall is commonly cut out a foot or more above the highest water line so the insulation and wall cavity can dry. Leaving wet drywall in place is one of the most common reasons mold shows up behind walls weeks later.
Cleaning hard surfaces. Scrub with soap or detergent and water, then dry completely. If you decide to use bleach, the CDC says to use no more than 1 cup of household bleach per gallon of water, keep the area ventilated, and never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners, because it creates toxic fumes. Bleach does not fix mold growing inside porous materials. Those need to be removed.
Protect yourself. When you handle moldy or flood-damaged materials, the CDC recommends an N95 respirator, goggles, and waterproof gloves. The CDC says people with breathing problems like asthma, or with weakened immune systems, should stay away from moldy areas, and children should not take part in disaster cleanup.
After 48 Hours: What to Watch For
Even if you did everything right, keep an eye on the house for the next few weeks:
- A musty or earthy smell that doesn’t go away, especially in closets, cabinets, or rooms with closed doors.
- Spots or discoloration on walls, baseboards, the backs of cabinets, or the underside of furniture.
- Paint that bubbles, peels, or looks damp.
- Wood that still feels soft or cool days after the water is gone.
- Allergy symptoms that get worse at home and better when you leave.
Any of these can mean moisture is still trapped somewhere and mold has started growing.
When to Call a Professional
The EPA says homeowners can usually handle mold cleanup when the affected area is about 10 square feet or less, roughly a 3-by-3-foot patch. After a hurricane, damage is usually much larger than that. Call a professional if:
- Floodwater or sewage got into the house, not just rain from a small roof leak.
- The wet or moldy area is bigger than about 10 square feet.
- Water got into walls, under flooring, or into the HVAC system.
- The house stayed closed up and wet for more than two days before you could get back in.
- Anyone in the home has asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system.
Our storm and hurricane damage and flood damage cleanup services handle drying and removing wet materials so mold doesn’t get a chance to start. If mold is already growing, mold remediation contains the area, removes contaminated materials, and cleans the air so spores don’t spread to the rest of the house. If you aren’t sure how far the water went, a mold inspection can check inside walls and under floors with moisture meters.
Quick Checklist: First 48 Hours After a Hurricane
- Check for electrical, gas, and structural hazards before going in.
- Run generators at least 20 feet from the house.
- Photograph and video all damage before moving anything.
- Call your insurance company.
- Stop more water from coming in and remove standing water.
- Open windows and run fans and dehumidifiers.
- Keep the central AC off if the HVAC system got wet.
- Remove soaked carpet, pad, mattresses, and upholstered items.
- Cut out wet drywall and insulation above the water line.
- Clean and dry hard surfaces, and wear an N95, goggles, and gloves.
- Watch for musty smells and new spots over the next few weeks.
Storm Damage in Mobile? We Can Help
Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast runs from June 1 through November 30, and in a place as wet as Mobile, storm water turns into mold fast. If your home or business took on water, call Mobile Bay Water & Mold Restoration at (251) 469-0861 or request a free estimate. We serve Mobile, Prichard, Saraland, Semmes, Theodore, Tillmans Corner, and Chickasaw.
Sources used for the facts in this post: EPA: Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters · EPA: Flood Cleanup to Protect Indoor Air and Your Health · EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home · CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home · CDC: Mold Clean Up Guidelines · CDC: 8 Tips to Clean Up Mold · CDC: Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters