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How To Salvage Possessions After A Flood

Here's how you can salvage your valuables if there's a flood that caused water damage to your possessions.

Now that families are starting to return to their homes in eastern North Carolina, many are finding their valuables soaked in flood waters. Just because they're wet doesn't mean they're completely gone. FEMA put together a list of what you can do to help save some of those valuables.

First, you need to prioritize. Focus on what's most important to you. Figure out what you own that you don't want to live without.

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Air-drying indoors is the best way to go, just remember to handle everything with care. If it gets too hot and humid, try using fans and dehumidifiers. You do not want to use hair dryers or have anything sitting in the sun for too long. This can cause more damage that cannot get fixed.

Clean everything gently. Loose dirt and debris can cause more damage if it gets rubs into your valuables.

There's also cold storage. Damp items that can't be cleaned right away can go into unsealed boxes or bags and put into the freezer. FEMA says freezing stops mold from growing and inks from running.

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