After a flash flood, a roof torn open by a tornado or a pipe that burst during a power outage, mold is rarely the first thing on anyone's mind. It should be on the list, though, because the clock starts as soon as materials get wet. The EPA says: "It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth." This guide covers what to do in that window, what can wait, and how to line up help if you are searching for water damage restoration or flood restoration near you in the Huntsville area.
Why storms and floods matter here
North Alabama has a long record of water and wind damage:
- March 1973: Huntsville Spring Branch and its tributaries flooded central Huntsville. Big Spring Lake overflowed, and according to the City of Huntsville, a boat could travel down Memorial Parkway from Governor's Drive to Drake Avenue.
- June 28, 1999: More than six inches of rain fell overnight along Aldridge Creek in south Huntsville. The National Weather Service reports about 300 homes and businesses flooded in the Huntsville area, with flooding also in Madison, Owens Cross Roads, Big Cove and Hampton Cove.
- December 2009: Four to eight inches of rain over Madison and Morgan counties pushed the Flint River at Brownsboro to 20.8 feet, flooding farmland and the Hampton Cove Golf Course.
- April 27, 2011: NWS Huntsville counted 39 tornadoes in its area that day, hitting Madison County 6 times and Limestone County 7 times. Many Tennessee Valley residents went 5–7 days without electricity.
That last point is worth dwelling on. A week without power in a humid spring means no air conditioning, no dehumidifiers and no electric sump pumps. NWS documents the outage, not mold, but it is a reasonable inference that homes with water inside had a harder time drying out.
Flooding is not only a floodplain problem, either. The City of Huntsville says that between major floods, over 90% of drainage complaints come from residents outside the floodplain.
The first 24 hours
Make sure it is safe
Stay out of standing water if electricity may be involved, and watch for structural damage after a tornado. If you are unsure, wait for help.
Stop more water getting in
Shut off a broken supply line, and get a roof opening covered as soon as it is safe to do so.
Document everything
Take photos and video of water levels, damaged materials and belongings before anything is moved or thrown out. Your insurer will likely want them. Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the water, so ask your insurer directly.
Start removing water
ADPH's flood guidance stresses getting standing water out and beginning to dry wet materials "as soon as possible."
Hours 24 to 48: drying is the priority
This is the window the EPA's guidance centers on. The goal is to get materials dry, not just surfaces.
- Pull out wet carpet and pad. Carpet pad rarely dries well.
- Remove wet insulation and drywall that soaked up water. ADPH says: "Materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried should be discarded."
- Run fans and dehumidifiers if you have power. Open windows only if outside air is drier than inside.
- Do not run central HVAC if ducts or the air handler took on water or you suspect mold. EPA: "Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building."
- Check hidden spaces: wall cavities, under cabinets, the crawl space and the attic after roof damage.
Drying can take far longer than two days. ADPH notes "The drying out process could take several weeks, and growth of microorganisms will continue as long as humidity is high." The 24–48 hour target is about starting drying fast, not finishing it.
Who should do the cleanup?
The EPA says that if the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, a homeowner can usually handle it. After a flood, the affected area is often much larger than that, and it can include materials inside walls and floors.
ADPH says people with asthma, allergies or breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold, and those with mold allergies or asthma should not clean moldy materials. An older ADPH flood release also advised gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator for cleanup. If you have health concerns, talk with your doctor.
For larger jobs, water damage restoration and mold remediation companies typically extract water, remove wet materials, set up drying equipment and monitor moisture until materials are dry. Our water, flood and storm damage mold page explains what that usually involves, and the process page walks through containment and cleanup step by step.
Rebuild and roof repairs: Alabama licensing notes
Storm jobs often include repairs as well as cleanup. Two Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (HBLB) thresholds are worth knowing:
- Residential repair or rebuild work over $10,000 (counting materials, labor, supervision, overhead and profit) generally requires an HBLB license.
- Residential roofing work over $2,500 generally requires an HBLB roofer license.
Ask for the license number when a quote crosses either line. Alabama has no mold license at all, which our Alabama mold law guide explains. This is general information, not legal advice.
Typical costs after water damage
These are typical national ranges from This Old House (2026), Fixr (2025) and Bob Vila (2024) — estimates, not quotes.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Mold remediation, typical job | $1,200–$3,750 (This Old House avg about $2,300); Fixr $1,500–$9,000, avg about $3,500 |
| Per square foot | $10–$30 |
| Basement | $500–$4,000 |
| Attic | $1,000–$9,000 |
| Whole house | $10,000–$30,000 |
Water extraction and drying are often priced separately from mold work. See the full cost guide for more detail.
Do you need mold testing after a flood?
Usually not as a first step. The EPA says that if visible mold growth is present, sampling is usually unnecessary, and ADPH says "Testing for molds is not recommended." Drying and removing wet materials matters more. More in do you need mold testing.
Questions to ask a restoration company
- How will you measure whether walls, floors and framing are actually dry?
- What will be removed versus dried in place, and why?
- Is rebuild included, and if over $10,000, what is your HBLB license number?
- Will you work with my insurance adjuster's documentation needs?
- ADPH suggests looking for IICRC-certified firms; ask any company for its training and certifications, insurance, and an HBLB license number for rebuild work over $10,000.
Get help lining up quotes
We connect Huntsville-area homeowners with independent local mold inspection and remediation companies for free, no-obligation quotes. After a storm, tell us what got wet and when, and whether you also need attic or basement work. Request free quotes; we usually reply the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How fast does mold grow after a flood?
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth, so that is the window to act in. ADPH adds that drying can take several weeks and microbial growth continues as long as humidity stays high. Start removing water and wet materials as soon as it is safe.
What should I throw out after flood water gets in?
ADPH says materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried should be discarded. That often includes carpet pad, soaked insulation and drywall that wicked up water. Photograph everything first for your insurer. Hard, non-porous items can often be cleaned and dried instead of being replaced.
Can I run my AC after water damage?
Not if you know or suspect the system is contaminated. The EPA says not to run the HVAC system if you know or suspect it is contaminated with mold, because it could spread mold throughout the building. Have the system checked first. In Alabama, cleaning HVAC equipment or ducts requires HACR certification.