By Ryan Oakley, Owner of EMERG+NC Property Rescuers
Weather patterns are changing fast — and with each heavy rainstorm, flash flood, or roof leak event, your home could be silently turning into a mold growth zone. A recent CBS News report titled “Mold causes hidden health crisis as extreme weather risk grows” warns that if a home is exposed to flooding or leaks and isn’t fully dried within 24–48 hours, mold growth is “almost certain.” CBS News
At EMERG+NC, we’ve seen it many times across Raleigh, Cary, Apex and Fuquay-Varina: what begins as a small leak or water-entry event becomes a long-term mold contamination challenge when it isn’t handled properly and quickly.
Here is how homeowners can recognize and prevent the risk — and what we do to protect your home when damage occurs.
Why Extreme Weather + Moisture = Mold Risk
The USA has an estimated 47% of residential buildings affected by mold or dampness, and nearly 29% of the U.S. population lives in flood-prone areas. CBS News After heavy storms or flooding events, mold spores and allergens surge and respiratory illness spikes follow. That aligns directly with what we find here in Wake County after major downpours and burst-pipe incidents.
In other words: water damage isn’t only about the wet floors. It’s about how moisture lingers, how drywall and framing stay damp, and how mold begins to grow out of sight.
Signs Your Home May Already Be at Risk
Look out for:
- Past flooding, standing water, or leak events in your basement or crawlspace
- Musty or damp smells
- Discoloration or staining on drywall, wood or ceiling panels
- Condensation on walls or surfaces even after they appear dry
- Health symptoms like unexplained coughing, sneezing, asthma flare-ups (especially after a storm)
If you recognize any of these, immediate action is important.
How EMERG+NC Responds to Water & Mold Damage
When you call us, we act rapidly with these steps:
- Emergency water removal – we extract standing water and dry every structure layer, following the industry standard of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S500.
- Moisture mapping & thermal imaging – so we find hidden damp areas behind walls or ceilings.
- Full structural drying – dehumidification, high-velocity air, and monitoring until moisture levels meet safe norms.
- Mold remediation (if needed) – safely removing affected materials, cleaning surfaces, and returning the area to safe condition.
- Insurance documentation & claim liaison – we provide photo logs, moisture reports and work directly with adjusters.
We serve homeowners across Wake County including Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Garner, and Apex.
Prevention Tips for Wake County Homeowners
Taking a few smart steps can significantly reduce your risk of mold after a storm:
- After any water event, begin drying within 24–48 hours (mold begins growth quickly).
- Keep crawlspaces and basements dry, ventilated and with checked vapor barriers.
- Use dehumidifiers in humid or damp areas.
- Fix roof leaks, plumbing issues, and flash-flood vulnerabilities promptly.
- Schedule professional inspection if you’ve had past moisture intrusion.
For broader federal guidelines, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers preparedness tips on flood and storm damage recovery https://www.ready.gov/floods.
Why Time is the Critical Factor
As the CBS News article emphasizes, if any part of a home is not fully dried within 24–48 hours after water intrusion, mold growth is almost certain. CBS News That means every hour counts — especially after storms, leaks or flood events.
Delaying can turn a manageable water damage job into a major mold remediation project, increasing costs and health risks.
Our Links
- Emergency Water Removal: https://emerg-nc.com/emergency-water-removal/
- Mold Remediation Services: https://emerg-nc.com/mold-remediation/
- Water Damage Restoration Raleigh: https://emerg-nc.com/locations/water-damage-restoration-raleigh/
- About EMERG+NC: https://emerg-nc.com/about-us/
External Links
- CBS News article: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mold-health-crisis-extreme-weather-flooding/ CBS News
- FEMA Floods Preparedness: https://www.ready.gov/floods
- IICRC Standard S500 overview: https://www.iicrc.org/
Final Thoughts
Storms, floods, and water intrusion events are becoming more frequent in our region. When water gets in, the real damage often happens behind the scenes — in hidden spaces, inside walls, under floors, and inside crawlspaces. Mold doesn’t wait. It begins silently, and it grows fast.
At EMERG+NC Property Rescuers, our goal is to keep your home safe and dry — not just for cleanup now, but to prevent future risk. If you’ve had recent leaks, heavy rain events, or just feel something might be off in your home, call us.
(919) 363-7462
(844) EMERG-NC
We respond 24/7 and serve Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, and surrounding Wake County areas.
