Flood recovery information from FEMA

Disaster News
April 22, 2010
DR 1894-RI-NR021
FEMA News Desk: 401-468-3163
Governor's Office, Amy Kempe: 401-954-3873
SBA, Michael Lampton: 404-331-0333
RIEMA Contact, Steve Kass: 401-663-9776

LOCATIONS SET FOR FLOOD CLEANUP TIPS
Specialists Offer Tips To Fight Mold

WARWICK, R.I. - FEMA mitigation specialists know one of the most destructive effects of flooding is the contamination of homes and buildings with mold. In order to help Rhode Islanders deal with mold cleanup and other aspects of flood damage, information booths staffed by FEMA specialists will be at several area stores over the next few weeks.
In addition to help with reducing mold and mildew, Federal Emergency Management Agency specialists will be available to discuss other flooding-related issues such as: protecting electrical systems, furnaces, and other appliances; reinforcing structures; safeguarding valuables; and securing other important personal property. Information on flood insurance will also be available.
Locations and hours of operation for the FEMA flood recovery information booths are:
Lowe's
510 Quaker Lane
Warwick, R.I. 02866
(7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 24, 25, 26, 2010)

Home Depot
1255 Ten Road
N. Kingston, R.I. 02852
Opens Saturday, April 24, 2010 through May 5, 2010
(7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) ( 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday) (Closed Tuesday, April 27, 2010)

LOCATIONS SET FOR FLOOD CLEANUP HELP-2

Sam's Club
25 Pace Blvd
Warwick, R.I. 02886
Opens Saturday, April 24, 2010 through May 5, 2010
(7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday) (Closed Tuesday, April 27, 2010)

Lowe's
247 Garfield Ave
Cranston, R.I. 02920
Opens Wednesday, April 28, 2010 through May 3, 2010
(7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
(7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday)

Information is free. No registration is required. There is no limit on the number of times someone can visit with a specialist or on the number of publications they can have.
Mold problems often appear five to six weeks after a flood has occurred, but steps can be taken to combat mold growth and its potential to cause serious health problems as well as structural damage to homes, according to state and federal officials. Warm weather speeds up mold growth.

Removing some flood contaminated materials and household goods and thoroughly cleaning or drying out others are essential steps to combat mold.

Flood waters compromise household fixtures in different ways. Porous materials are nearly impossible to clean. Flood soaked carpets, carpet pads, linoleum, fabric covered furniture, wet insulation and ceiling tiles should be discarded. There is no way to clean them. For heirloom rugs and furniture, contact a professional cleaner.

Appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, cooking stoves, dishwashers, hot water heaters, washing machines and driers contain insulation which may harbor mold spores without visible evidence and should be discarded.

Heating and air conditioning filters should be changed and the system ductwork cleaned by a professional so that mold spores don't circulate in the dwelling or business.

Damaged wallboard should be discarded. Water can rise in the material higher than the visible water line. The best practice is to remove the wall board at least two feet above the water line.


LOCATIONS SET FOR FLOOD CLEANUP HELP--3
Non-porous surfaces, including glass, ceramic, metal and plastic, can be cleaned. A combination of household bleach and soap or detergent can be used to wash down walls, floors and other mold-contaminated areas. Follow directions on containers and take particular note of warnings. Mixing chlorine liquids and ammonia creates an extremely dangerous poisonous, potentially explosive gas. Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and a tight-fitting face mask when working around mold.

Remove heating and cooling registers and ducts, and then hose the ducts to prevent contamination from flowing through the ducts when the unit is turned on. After hosing ductwork, wash with a disinfectant. If ducts are in slab or otherwise inaccessible, have them cleaned professionally.

Links to additional information about mold and mildew may be found at the Rhode Island State Health Department web site, www.health.ri.gov/, or www.epa.gov , or http://www.fema.gov/

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FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).