AMES, Iowa – How do I clean this mess? That’s the topic for the second of four Iowa State University Extension online conferences on flood cleanup and rebuilding issues Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

“This conference will cover health and safety issues related to cleaning up a flood-damaged home,” said Mary Yearns, an ISU Extension housing specialist.

Speakers will discuss dealing with mold, checking moisture content of wood framing, determining when it’s safe to rebuild and maintaining a healthy home after the mess has been cleaned.

Iowans can participate in the conference in either of two ways, Yearns said. They can contact their local ISU Extension county office to view the conference. Some offices in flood-affected areas will be participating remotely in the live conference.

Or, Iowans can log in to the conference from their home computers at connect.extension.iastate.edu/rebuilding/. People choosing this option should check the test site, www.extension.iastate.edu/testconnect/, sometime before the conference to make sure their computers are compatible with the Web conferencing software. You will need a computer that is no more than three years old, a good broadband Internet connection (wireless can work, but is not recommended), and speakers to hear the presentation.

Two additional online conferences will be Wednesday evenings Sept. 17 and Oct. 8. Each conference is set for 7-8:30 p.m.

Sept. 17: Can I build a better home? Rebuilding better than code, going “green” and other issues
This session will cover issues homeowners should consider if they will be rebuilding their homes. Speakers will discuss building codes, “green” building practices, energy efficiency, universal design and other issues.

Oct. 8: Should our neighborhood stay or move to higher ground? Rebuilding vs. relocating
This session will cover issues that neighborhoods and communities face as they consider whether to rebuild in the area that flooded or to move entire neighborhoods or communities to new locations.  Speakers will discuss moving homes as well as entire neighborhoods out of the flood plain, building affordable housing, moving existing homes from the flood plain to a new location and reducing the impact of future flooding.

All four Web conferences will be archived on the ISU Extension Web site, www.extension.iastate.edu.

-30-