Hawkeye Electric electricians Todd Reves (left) of Cedar Rapids and Nick Volk of Fairfax upgrade an electrical pedestal next to one of the four FEMA trailers for the flood victims at Squaw Creek Village in Marion on Wednesday, July 2, 2008. (Courtney Sargent/The Gazette)
Mold Delays Flood Victims Getting into Temporary Housing
By Sara Stewart, Reporter
By
Sara Stewart
Story Created:
Jul 19, 2008 at 10:26 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 19, 2008 at 10:26 PM CDT
FEMA says there's a reason it did not notice the mold.
Before the federal agency allows flood victims to live in the mobile homes, it inspects and brings the trailers up to code.
But the outside water heater panel is not included in the inspection because it's sealed off.
The mobile homes that FEMA has said broke records getting here quickly are now leaving just as fast.
"We are currently in the process, as we speak, from removing those homes from the sites,” says William Vogel, a FEMA official.
The mold, found on the exterior of the homes could be repaired, but the Iowa Lieutenant Governor, Patty Judge, wants them removed.
"FEMA is going to Honor that request,” says Vogel.
And that request will take 88 families out of their temporary homes, and it will send 122 mobile homes back to Alabama.
"Yes, unfortunately it is going to cause a delay for other families to be moved into temporary housing units," says Vogel.
"It is a delay, but it's one that's putting safety first for these families," says Lu Barron, a Linn County Supervisor.
FEMA says eventually, families in the mobile homes with exterior water closets will have to relocate.
It will take at least 2 weeks to replace those styles already here, and on the way.
Right now, 46 manufactured homes with interior water closets being set up for displaced families.
"We will continue to provide housing to those people who were affected by the terrible events since the end of May."
FEMA says, at this time there have been no health problems reported due to this mold.
"It's not good news, of course not, but it's not as bad as it could've been,” says Kay Halloran, the Cedar Rapids Mayor.
There are more than 20 families staying at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cedar Rapids because of the mold.
FEMA told us today it's a manufacturing problem on the mobile homes that allows water to pool along the bottom of the exterior closet.
The new homes will be coming from Arkansas and Maryland. They will only be the ones with interior water heaters.
The mold was first discovered by FEMA on a mobile home in Indiana on Wednesday.
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Monday, Jul 21 at 4:40 PM 9 recorded floods in 79 years wrote ...
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/25655124.html Top 10 Historical Crests 1. 31.12 ft on 06/13/2008 2. 20.00 ft on 06/01/1851 3. 20.00 ft on 03/18/1929 4. 19.66 ft on 03/31/1961 5. 19.27 ft on 04/04/1993 6. 18.60 ft on 04/04/1933 7. 18.51 ft on 04/10/1965 8. 18.31 ft on 07/25/1999 9. 18.30 ft on 05/27/2004 10. 18.23 ft on 06/16/1947
Monday, Jul 21 at 2:15 PM Under every Republican... wrote ...
....is mold and mildrew. It occurs because they sit on their thumbs and whine about everything while doing nothing but posing for pictures with George "Photo Op" Bush. Didn't George tell us that there would be plenty of money for Cedar Rapids? Another Republican lie.
Monday, Jul 21 at 2:05 PM Sharon wrote ...
I just can't believe that Patty Judge considers this as an inconvience. An incovenience to me is having to drive 2 blocks out of my way. Being displaced "again" is a lot more than a mere inconvenience. Couldn't she just order the homesto be cleaned up? Oh, that might save money, I forgot. Silly me.
Monday, Jul 21 at 11:22 AM moldcleaner wrote ...
A great procduct on the market is mighty micros for cleaning mold and musty odors. This product was OSHA and university tested. You can find the results on www.mold-help.org. This is an all natural cleaner. It cleans mold without re-growth. Eliminates musty odors. www.mightymicros.com
Monday, Jul 21 at 10:47 AM i love ponies wrote ...
ponies dont have mold im glad they checked them before they were moved how nice ughhhhhhhhhh
Monday, Jul 21 at 8:13 AM Anonymous wrote ...
So much for the 'tough, self-sufficient, take the problem by the horns' midwest mumbo jumbo. Oh dear!!, mold!!, the sky is falling!!. Quick, government, help me out of this. No sense in getting some bleach and a sponge, huh? Mold in an outside compartment? Most houses have some small amount of mold. Seems like the liberals in Iowa are helpless to clean a little mold up. Years of waiting for the government to do it for them. 'Midwest hard work ethic'?, HAH!!
Monday, Jul 21 at 1:59 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Don't you understand this is all part of God's Plan!
Sunday, Jul 20 at 11:23 PM tacmtz wrote ...
Thank you Patty Judge. Atleast someone sees that there is a potential for a health issue besides mold. Did you ever think that if the mold came on trailers from LA what else came with them? Now just get FEMA to respect others property and we will all be happy.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 9:05 PM Sick of it wrote ...
I am soooooo tired of hearing about mold. How can someone be so ungrateful to accept a FREE houndout?
Sunday, Jul 20 at 8:00 PM Another whiny Republican wrote ...
Sounds like Panic Button is another one of those whiny Republicans who can't accept personal responsibility. Alot of that going around these days with conservatives making excuses for Photo Op George
Sunday, Jul 20 at 6:07 PM Panic Button wrote ...
OMG, I have mold growing under the sponge I placed on my sink to catch water dripping from my dish strainer. I have to sue someone, I have to file a class action lawsuit and blame the sponge maker, the dish strainer and the apartments who gave me the apartment.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 5:36 PM Does Bush Live In A Moldy White House? wrote ...
If he doesn't then why should other Americans? It is time to hold this Republican Administration accountable for its gross mishandling of the Public's funds.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 11:05 AM Way to go Patty Judge ... Not wrote ...
How on earth does Patty Judge decide that she wants the FEMA homes removed immediately. Another great example of politicians going overboard to make decisions for individuals. It seems to me that the Lt. Governor believes the people too ignorant to think for or protect themselves. Instead she will over-react and protect you all.Whew! It is great that we have such wonderful politicians. (Sarcasm Implied)
Sunday, Jul 20 at 9:09 AM me wrote ...
Who even cares anymore what our mayor says.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 6:07 AM Old Guy wrote ...
This was a sad note to hear about for our friends and neighbors. I do hope this is corrected in a timly mannor. We have got to get these people some stabiliy before August. School is starting and winter will be here. I am praying for all concerned as it must be reaaly tough. Good catch by all though. I have seen the progress for myself and it was very professional. these things do happen though. God bless and Gods speed.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 5:18 AM Alfred Joe's Boy wrote ...
Looks like Iowa elected officials let the Federal Government in its infinite stupidity try to help with a problem. Let's keep electing more and more imbeciles to office so we can expedite this process of expunging most of the human race and impoverishing and enslaving the pitiful remnants that remain.
Sunday, Jul 20 at 12:02 AM FEMA caught dumping faulty homes in Iowa? wrote ...
Looks like FEMA got caught dumping defective homes. Why aren't the State and City checking these homes BEFORE families move in?
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