Even as the water recedes, the victims of Harvey are not yet out of the woods.
As the water recedes and Texas residents begin to preserve what they can after Hurricane Harvey, Inside Edition has tips on how to rebuild and assess the devastating damage.
Read: Hurricane Harvey Forces Couple to Cancel Wedding for Third Time
Meegan Taddino, of RTK Environmental Group in New York, says the first thing a homeowner should keep in mind is that mold can grow within 24 to 48 hours, so wet rugs and sofas should be removed first.
She then suggested opening up the windows and turning on any fans to provide ventilation and air flow.
Electrical appliances must be handled with extreme care, so always make sure the electricity is turned off before entering the home.
Taddino also cautions against plugging and unplugging appliances to prevent electric shock that can occur when dealing with wires that are wet.
In an older house, the walls should not be torn down immediately because they may have lead or asbestos in the walls or shingles.
To solve this, Taddino suggests calling a licensed contractor who can measure the moisture with meters and infrared cameras.
Jennifer Galluzzo experienced flooding damage to her home in 2012, when Hurricane Sandy lashed the East Coast.
She offered her own advice to people who may have found themselves in a similar situation after Harvey, saying anyone in a damaged home should take pictures, videos and any other documentation because water levels can change every day.
Watch: Good Samaritans Work Together to Save Dog Being Swept Away in Texas Flood Waters
