If your home has experienced flooding, wind-driven rain, plumbing failures or other water intrusion of any kind, your home will likely become impacted by mold. Molds are living organisms that grow in damp areas, and there are many types that can grow almost anywhere, including walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture. Humidity and prolonged wetness after a disaster create perfect conditions for mold to grow. If you or someone in your family is sensitive to molds, they may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Serious allergies to molds could cause more severe reactions including fever and shortness of breath. If someone in your family has a compromised immune system due to illness, or has chronic lung disease, they may develop serious infections of the lungs when molds are present in the home.

High winds, floods and other storm conditions may damage components of your home, including those made with asbestos (a fire retardant). Depending on the age of your home, pipe and duct insulation, vinyl flooring products (tiles, linoleum, vinyl sheeting), floor tile glue, exterior cement-like shingles, and other materials may contain asbestos. Asbestos fibers may travel easily through the air if a material containing asbestos has been damaged or disturbed. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung disease and lung cancer.

Much like asbestos, major storms and floods can also cause deterioration of components in your home that contain lead-based paint. If your home was built before 1978, lead-based paint may be present. Lead hazards, such as deteriorated lead-based paint or high levels of lead in dust or soil can be controlled with proper measures. Lead hazards are particularly dangerous to young children.

Disasters can impact public and private potable water systems in a variety of ways. Sewage from public systems, overflowing septic systems and contaminated wells can be serious threats to resident health. Well water is particularly susceptible to contamination from disaster events. Water related illnesses can develop if a water source is contaminated. 

In the re-occupancy or reconstruction phase of disaster recovery, damaged homes can present numerous hazards to you or your family. Structural damage, unstable materials, chemical spills, vermin, gas leaks and electrical hazards may pose dangers in or around your home. There may be obvious hazards to resident health like downed power lines and debris in and around your home, as well as structural dangers like buckling roofs/walls/stairs. In addition, conditions within a home that has been flooded will likely require major cleaning prior to re-occupancy so that no toxic chemical or biological health hazards remain.

Utilities that normally heat and power your home, including gas and electricity, may be unavailable for extended periods after a disaster. Temporary heating and power sources (gas-powered electric generators or propane heaters) may give off carbon monoxide and should not be used indoors. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and can cause sudden illness or in some cases death if the concentration is high enough. Electrical connections in formerly flooded spaces may pose shock or fire hazards when reconnected to the power.

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that is caused by the natural break down of elements found in ground soil. Radon cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted but may be a very serious problem in a home. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Testing is the only way to know if a home is affected by radon.