Riverwatch: Mold cleanup training offered in flood affected areas

PIERRE, S.D. – The Department of Health is holding free training sessions at three locations across the state to help homeowners prepare for cleaning up homes impacted by flooding.

“As flood waters recede, we know there will be questions about mold and other cleanup issues,” said Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health. “These trainings can help homeowners and businesses answer those questions and prepare to safely clean up their properties.”

The training will be provided by experts from NECHAMA, the Jewish Disaster Relief Organization based in Minneapolis. A national organization, NECHAMA has deployed thousands of volunteers to help clean up after floods, tornados and other natural disasters.

In each site two trainings will be held – one for homeowners and business owners and one for city and county officials, volunteer organizations and state agency personnel. Topics include cleaning flooded structures, decontamination, sanitizing, mold and other contaminants, economical remediation, cleanup hazards and re-occupying the home. The site supervisor training includes additional topics related to coordinating a cleanup effort and managing volunteers.

The course schedule follows:

• Monday, July 18 – Aberdeen – Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 8^th Ave. NW
  1:30 -5:00 p.m. – Flood Clean-up: Site Supervisor Training
  6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Cleaning Up Your Flooded Home or Business
• Tuesday, July 19 – Pierre – Best Western Ramkota Hotel, 920 W. Sioux Ave.
  1:30 -5:00 p.m. – Flood Clean-up: Site Supervisor Training
  6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Cleaning Up Your Flooded Home or Business
• Wednesday, July 20 – North Sioux City – Dakota Valley High School
  1:30 -5:00 p.m. – Flood Clean-up: Site Supervisor Training
  6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Cleaning Up Your Flooded Home or Business

For more about flood cleanup see http://doh.sd.gov/Flood/.