MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Black mold can pose health problems for people with flood-damaged homes.

CBS 58 caught up with officials from Eagle Spring Lake Management District in Waukesha County and say removing mold can be expensive and time-consuming.

“It spreads within home heating systems, air ducts, then other sorts of things and can cause significant respiratory issues when you’re going to have to bring in a formal contractor and do more work than if you did it the first time,” said Peter Jensen with Eagle Spring Lake management.

Affected homeowners should remove anything that has flood damage within 48 hours of a  flood, including food, personal items, drywall, and insulation.

For more information about post-flood clean-up:

The American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood

The Centers for Disease Control:https://www.cdc.gov/mold/basics.htm
Federal Emergency Management Agency: https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program