Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday evening near Destin as a Category 2 hurricane. Here in North Central Florida we caught the outer bands: heavy rain, gusty winds, standing water. It doesn’t take a direct hit to start the mold clock. Once water gets inside, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours.
If water got into your home this weekend, today is the day to act.
The Mold Clock Started Friday
Isaias came ashore Friday night. 24 to 48 hours later lands on Sunday into Monday — mold may already be establishing inside damp drywall.
Call Now — 24/7 Emergency HelpDo These 5 Things Today
1. Document everything before you touch it
Photograph every wet area for insurance evidence. Read our Florida insurance guide.
2. Make it safe, then get the water out
Kill power to wet areas. Extract with wet vac, mops, towels.
3. Dry aggressively
Run fans, dehumidifier, and AC together. Check behind baseboards.
4. Check hidden spots
Inspect attic, window cavities, under sinks, crawl spaces.
5. Know when to call a professional
Call if area exceeds 10 sq ft or water entered walls. Call Now — Free Consultation
What Not to Do
- Don’t paint over water stains.
- Don’t run AC normally if ducts got wet.
- Don’t wait to “see if it dries.”
- Don’t discard damaged items before photographing.
FEMA After Isaias: What Homeowners Can (and Can’t) Get Right Now
On October 9, FEMA issued an emergency declaration (EM-3655) for Hurricane Isaias covering 27 Florida counties — including Columbia County (Lake City). That declaration funds emergency response work like debris removal at 75% federal cost share — it does not send aid directly to homeowners.
The distinction matters: this is an emergency declaration, not a major disaster declaration, so FEMA’s Individual Assistance program — the one that can help pay for home repairs and temporary housing — is not open yet. As of this week, homeowners cannot apply for individual FEMA aid.
What to do right now: photograph all damage before you clean up, keep receipts for every supply and repair, and file your homeowners insurance claim — insurance is the first payer after a storm. If a major disaster declaration follows, having your documentation ready puts you first in line to apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362.
Coverage note: of the areas we serve, Lake City (Columbia County) is inside the current declaration. Gainesville/Alachua, Ocala/Marion, and Lake County are not listed in it.
Water Got In? Get a Free Inspection
The moisture Isaias left behind is on a 24–48 hour clock.
Licensed & Insured | North Central Florida