Researchers studying communities flooded by Hurricane Helene say mold-related respiratory illness typically begins emerging one to three months after the waters recede. "One to three months, you might start to see respiratory illness related to mold growth," Julie Gohlke, a health researcher at Virginia Tech, told WVTF.
The team is documenting how prolonged exposure to water-damaged interiors affects health outcomes in residents who returned home after the storm. Helene's flooding left thousands of homes and businesses with hidden moisture intrusion behind drywall, in subfloors, and inside HVAC systems — conditions that can support mold colonization for months.