Dear Friend:

As we start to clear and rebuild our basements, homes and our communities, it's important

to be aware of all the problems that may arise.

One of the most significant issues that can arise after a flood is mold. Be sure to

clean any wet areas with detergent and water, and dry out your home to prevent mold

growth, as well as fixing any leaks in your home. After cleaning wet surfaces, sanitize

the area with household bleach (make sure you're wearing gloves and try not to breath in

fumes!). Here are a few additional tips for recognizing and dealing with mold from the

Center for Disease Control:

Sight (Are the walls and ceilings discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or

water damage?)

Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earth smell, or a foul stench?)

When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48

hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of

mold growth and should be removed from the home. Porous, non-cleanable items include

carpeting and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles,

insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning

are important because even dead mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Protect Yourself From Mold

I am also pleased to announce that I will be holding a live Telephone Town Hall meeting

with the American Red Cross to discuss disaster relief and to hear from you. We will also

talk about what you and I can do right now to aid in the recovery.

I encourage you to join me on this call at:

7:00 PM on Thursday, September 19th, 2013.

Please call 1-888-409-5380 at 7:00 PM to join the call.

We've seen Coloradans pull together every time we're faced with a difficult situation.

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals hoping to profit from people's misfortune

may attempt to pose as government officials and scam you of your personal information.

FEMA recommends the following precautions:

Federal workers do not solicit or accept money

Ask for an official laminated ID. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of

identity.

Safeguard personal information: Do not give personal information such as Social Security

and bank account numbers unless you initiate the call.

Beware of people going door-to-door. People going door-to-door to damaged homes, or

phoning homeowners claiming to be building contractors could be scam artists, especially

if they solicit financial information.

Beware of Scams!

If I can be of any assistance providing you with additional resources, please contact our

Disaster Specialist, Danielle Henry, in my Boulder office at (303) 484-9596 or e-mail her

at Danielle.Henry@mail.house.gov. If you live in Larimer County, please contact our

Disaster Specialist, Jamie Grim, at (970) 226-1239 or e-mail her at

Jamie.Grim@mail.house.gov. I am regularly updating my website with important documents

related to flood relief and federal assistance available to constituents. Please refer to

this page as well for any immediate questions:

Colorado Flood Relief Information

If you have an item that you are in need of to cope with the floods, or if you have an

item or time that you can offer to someone in need, please fill in the following

spreadsheet with your information so that everyone receives the help they need:

Help Your Neighbor!

Stay Colorado Strong,

Jared Polis

Representative