Repost from FEMA: www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=48358

Release Date: May 13, 2009Release Number: 1833-022

» More Information on Georgia Severe Storms, Flooding, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Receding flood waters often leave a home with the perfect damp environment for rampant growth of mold and mildew. These fungi are a health hazard to some people and must be cleaned up effectively to prevent health problems and make flooded homes habitable.
Infants, the elderly or anyone with asthma, allergies and other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. Also, people with immune suppression are more susceptible to mold infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend the following steps to get rid of mold:
Open windows and doors and use fans to dry out the building as quickly as possible. If possible, use wet-vacs to remove water and use dehumidifiers in closed spaces.
When working in an affected building, wear protective eye-wear, latex or rubber gloves and a mask.
Remove baseboards and wet drywall to a foot above the watermark and discard. Drain walls by drilling holes or pulling non-porous paneling away from the studs. Check the interior of walls for mold.
Discard any porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpeting and carpet padding, upholstered furniture, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation, leather, wood, paper, food and clothing. If there is any doubt about whether the item has been affected by mold, discard it.
Allow areas to dry for several days before replacing damaged materials.
Wash hard, non-porous surfaces (metal, glass, solid wood, plastic, etc.) with non-ammonia detergent and hot water. Scrub rough surfaces like concrete. After the mold is cleaned from non-porous surfaces, disinfect them with a solution of water and bleach (one cup of bleach to one gallon of water); rinse after 10 minutes. Never mix bleach with ammonia.
If the area to be cleaned exceeds 10 square feet, consult a professional contractor or the EPA guides Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings (available at www.epa.gov/mold/i-e-r.html).
For a brochure on mold prevention and cleanup, visit FEMA's recovery web pages at www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english_pdf. For a Spanish version of this brochure, go to www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_spanish.pdf
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.