In Cook, a small city in northeastern Minnesota, Rebecca and Eric Trip have been hard at work cleaning their basement after it flooded with about eight feet of water in mid-June. The flash flood, caused by heavy rains and an overflowing Little Fork River, also affected other homes and businesses in the area.
Recovery efforts are underway, but it will take weeks to assess the full extent of the damage and months to complete the cleanup. Residents are concerned about potential health risks from the water damage, particularly mold growth in damp structures.
Eric Trip described the alarming sight as water levels rose: “You could actually see the water level through the windows. You are looking into the sort of yellowy, orange, brown water and it kept rising.”
Rebecca, who lives in her childhood home in Cook, recounted the dramatic rescue of her 86-year-old mother, Muriel Simonson, from her flooded house. “They canoed my mother out,” she recalled, showing photos on her cellphone.
Cook and its neighboring communities, nestled in a remote watershed surrounded by dense forest and lakes, are no strangers to floods, although this event unfolded unusually fast. Mayor Harold Johnston noted the rapid onset: “Our advice to everybody is dry out. You don’t want mold.”
Mold poses significant health risks, as explained by Dan Tranter from the Minnesota Department of Health. While it doesn’t grow immediately or underwater, it can quickly appear on walls and flooring once water levels recede. Tranter emphasized the importance of removing absorbent materials like carpeting and drywall that have been in contact with floodwater to prevent mold growth.
The cleanup process is daunting for many residents, compounded by the lack of flood insurance and access to professional help. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay expressed concern for vulnerable residents who are unable to manage the cleanup alone, particularly older individuals or those with physical disabilities.
Volunteers have been crucial in the recovery efforts, assisting families like the Trips in salvaging belongings and cleaning up debris. Despite the challenges, Eric Trip expressed gratitude: “Sometimes we get a little tearful about how much effort volunteers have put in.”
Days after the flood, Cook shows signs of the aftermath with piles of damaged belongings, wet carpet, and a lingering smell of sewage. The community has rallied with donations of cleaning supplies, fans, and dehumidifiers to aid in the recovery.
As they continue to dry out their basement, Eric and Rebecca Trip remain hopeful. “They said at the town meetings that you need to be aware that mold will grow,” Eric acknowledged. Rebecca added, “It’s true, but it’s less funky today, and it’ll smell more like bleach tomorrow.”
Their plan is clear: clean, bleach, dry, and then move forward.
