Following Hurricane Milton’s landfall in western Florida as a Category 3 hurricane, residents who had evacuated are beginning to return to their homes, only to find water damage. Additionally, they may soon encounter mold, a potential consequence of the storm.
Mold growth can start within 24 to 48 hours of moisture exposure, and the subtropical climate of Florida, which remains hot and humid in October, serves as an ideal environment for its proliferation. Mold will continue to thrive until the moisture source is addressed.
With climate change leading to heavier rainfall and more intense storms, mold is expected to become a more prevalent issue. The increase in atmospheric moisture due to warmer temperatures results in more severe precipitation events. Mary Johnson, a principal research scientist in environmental health at Harvard University, notes that mold is closely linked to climate change. Extreme weather patterns, including hurricanes, can introduce moisture into homes and indoor spaces, raising the likelihood of mold development.
Mold presence has been documented after significant storms causing flooding and water damage in residential areas. For instance, a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention examined 112 flood-affected homes after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 and discovered visible mold in nearly half of them. Additionally, Johnson’s research suggests that higher temperatures and increased precipitation correlate with more mold spores in outdoor air.
Mold, a type of fungus, naturally exists in the environment and contributes to the decomposition of organic materials like dead trees and leaves. However, indoors, mold can pose health risks, particularly to children, individuals with allergies and asthma, and those with weakened immune systems.
Mold spores are reproductive cells that function like seeds and can travel through the air both outside and inside. Inhaling these spores can lead to respiratory symptoms, itchy eyes, infections, skin rashes, and asthma attacks, though not everyone experiences adverse effects from mold exposure.
Ronald Saff, an internal medicine doctor, allergist, and immunologist based in Tallahassee, Florida, explains that while mold exposure is common outdoors, most people can manage it.
