Mold Delays Flood Victims Getting into Temporary Housing

By Sara Stewart, Reporter

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)

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By Sara Stewart

Story Created: Jul 19, 2008 at 9:26 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 19, 2008 at 9:26 PM CST

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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