Mold concerns: Flood damage triggers health concerns in Durham, Orange counties

People in Orange and Durham counties are cleaning up after Sunday and Monday morning’s powerful storms and are now bracing for even more severe
weather overnight Wednesday.

Violet Covington told WRAL News she has lived on Felicia Street
in Durham for nearly 40 years.

Covington said Monday’s flood was the worse she’s ever seen.

“We left with just what was on our backs,” Covington said. “It
was horrible. It was nerve-wracking and just painful to see that.”

The homeowner recalled being woken up by a neighbor warning
them to “get out” around 4:30 a.m. Monday, shortly before firefighters also urged them
to evacuate.

Covington shared she and her husband were told when they
first moved that their home wasn’t in a flood zone. Over the years, she said it
was upgraded to a low-risk flood zone, and eventually a high-risk area.

Covington stated she and other homeowners have since been
vocal about the dangers of not having a second way out with the increased flood
risk.

“This is a one-way-in, one-way-out street. We have been
fighting for years with the county to get an extension street put in so we
could have a way out in an emergency,” Covington said. “Our concern was in case
of an emergency, like what just happened.”

Walking through a neighbor’s yard to stand on a nearby
street was their only escape from the rising flood waters on Monday, the couple
shared.

Related: Orange County and the Triangle prepare for more flooding post-Chantal devastation

Cameron Dutton and his mother live in a rental further down
the street. The 18-year-old shared he was the one who rushed to knock on
neighbors’ doors and call 911 when he realized the flooding was happening.

“It was traumatizing,” he told WRAL News. “It was up to my knees
and just trying to tread through it.”

Dutton said he eventually left the home by boat.

Days later, he and Covington are among the many North
Carolinians worried about safety hazards, including things they can’t see.  

For North Carolinians experiencing flood damage, area health
officials said  it’s important to act fast to get ahead of silent dangers like mold.

“Being exposed to contaminated water can cause GI illness, rashes,
and other infections,” said Victoria Hudson, the environmental health director of the Orange County Health
Department.

Orange County’s director of Environmental Health went on to note
people were surprised by the extent of the storms and urged them to take
advantage of assistance programs that can help with faster cleanup.

“We’re here with our healthy homes program, and we’ll be
willing to do some assessments and help people with the decision-making process,” Hudson said.

The
CDC warns people should never attempt to enter flooded areas without first
getting approval from authorities. Electrical lines, human and animal waste, spilled
chemicals and other germs can all cause injury or illness after flooding,
according to the health agency.

Debris left in front yards by residents cleaning out flooded
rooms can also become safety hazards in the event the lawn floods again and
items aren’t tethered down.