Post-Storm Records Storage: How to Check for Humidity & Mould After Extreme Weather
An artist's interpretation of how a record storage shed might look if it suffers serious water ingress during a weather event like Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has left its mark on Southeast Queensland and the Northern Rivers of NSW, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and extreme humidity. While businesses and organisations focus on recovery, one critical area that often gets overlooked is records storage.
At Record Partners, we have seen first-hand the damage that extreme weather can cause to paper records, files, and archives. If left unchecked, high humidity and water ingress can lead to mould growth, paper deterioration, and potential health risks, making records unsafe to handle and unusable for future reference.
To help organisations protect and preserve their important documents, we have outlined essential steps for assessing and responding to humidity and mould risks in storage areas following a severe weather event.
Step 1: Inspect Storage Areas for Signs of Moisture & Water Damage
Even if your records room or storage shed was not directly flooded, extreme humidity can create conditions ripe for mould growth. After a storm:
Check walls, floors, and ceilings for water stains, leaks, or condensation.
Look for warping, curling, or discolouration on paper records and file boxes.
Assess the smell—a musty odour is often the first sign of mould.
If you detect any dampness or mould, act fast before the problem spreads.
Step 2: Measure Humidity Levels
High humidity is one of the biggest threats to long-term document preservation. Ideally, storage areas should be kept at below 55 percent relative humidity to prevent mould from thriving.
Use a hygrometer (a handheld humidity meter) to check moisture levels.
If readings are above 60 percent, consider using dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in the air.
Improve ventilation and airflow to help stabilise humidity levels.
Step 3: Identify and Isolate Affected Records
If records have been exposed to high humidity or water damage:
If safe, remove affected boxes or files from storage to prevent cross-contamination.
Quarantine mould-affected records in a separate, well-ventilated area.
Wear PPE (gloves, masks, and protective clothing) when handling suspect documents to avoid exposure to mould spores.
Step 4: Assess Whether Digitisation is the Best Solution
For records that are too fragile, mould-affected, or at risk of deterioration, digitisation may be the best way to preserve the information before it is lost. At Record Partners, we specialise in:
Remediating and relocating at-risk documents before they become unusable.
Securely transferring files to our Brisbane facility for professional assessment.
Digitising records to ensure long-term accessibility while eliminating mould risks.
Following recent extreme weather events, we have worked with NSW Health to relocate 24,000 cartons of medical records from a mould-affected storage location to our secure facility, where they are now being digitised for safe, long-term access.
Step 5: Take Preventative Action for the Future
To avoid document loss and expensive recovery efforts, organisations should:
Review storage conditions regularly and monitor for moisture buildup.
Invest in climate-controlled storage where possible.
Develop a disaster response plan for future extreme weather events.
Consider a long-term digitisation strategy to reduce reliance on paper records.
Need Help? Record Partners Can Assist
If your organisation has weather-affected records, now is the time to act. At Record Partners, we provide secure, large-scale digitisation and records remediation services to help businesses and government agencies protect their critical documents.
Contact us to learn how we can assist with post-storm records management and digitisation.
