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Community Corner

Photo Gallery: Marlboro Pike Cleans Up After The Flood

Upper Marlboro residents and business owners spent the weekend cleaning up after flood waters from last week's torrential rains subsided.

The sun finally came out on Saturday after days of heavy rains from the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee caused devastating flooding in Upper Marlboro.

Residents and business owners spent the weekend cleaning up from the flood waters that reached nearly 5 feet high in some places and left behind dirt and mud.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency warns flood victims to take precautions to minimize mold contamination as they clean up and dry out.

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To reduce the likelihood of mold contamination, the agency recommends:

  • Flooded homes should be thoroughly dried out, which could take several days or weeks;
  • Wet carpet and padding should be removed and discarded;
  • Porous materials that absorb water—such as sheetrock, some paneling, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, mattresses, pillows, wallpaper and upholstered furniture should be discarded;
  • Sheetrock and other porous wallboards should be removed at least 12 inches above the visible water line left by the flood. Check for wicking, the upward movement of moisture to higher levels;
  • Wall studs, where wallboard has been removed, should be cleaned and allowed to dry completely;
  • Floors, concrete or brick walls, countertops, plastic, glass and other non-porous materials should be washed with soap and water and then with a solution of one to two cups of bleach to a gallon of water and allowed to completely dry;
  • Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using bleach and make sure area is well ventilated. Don't mix bleach and ammonia. Consider using an N-95 rated dust mask if heavy concentrations of mold are already growing;
  • Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and dried should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of mold spores; and
  • People allergic to mold and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions should not do mold cleanup.

Mold spores thrive in continuously wet conditions, and can start to grow within 24 hours after a flood. They can cause allergy symptoms, headaches, bronchitis, asthma attacks, lung irritation and skin rashes. People with asthma or other pulmonary illnesses, compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly are more likely to develop mold-related illnesses.

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


More information on mold removal is available at www.redcross.org by typing "mold" in the search box.

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