Mold Inspection in Pacific, WA

A river town with a flood history

Pacific is a small city about 25 miles from Seattle, mostly in King County with a part in Pierce County. The White River, also called the Stuck River, runs along its east side. In November 2006, record rains pushed the river over its banks along Pacific City Park and created a temporary 25-acre lake. In January 2009, water releases from Mud Mountain Dam caused rapid flooding with almost no notice. Early on December 16, 2025, a White River levee breached and flooded a large part of the city; more than 200 homes were affected and over 600 people displaced.

What to do now

1. Only go back in when officials say it's safe. Wear at least an N-95 respirator during cleanup, as EPA advises, and keep children out of the work.
2. Photograph every room, water lines on walls and damaged belongings before removing anything.
3. Get air moving and start drying. EPA says that if a home couldn't be dried within 24 to 48 hours after flooding, assume mold growth.
4. Pull wet carpet and pad; porous materials that stayed wet often can't be saved.
5. Ask the City of Pacific about permits before rebuilding.

What you see and the likely cause

Cost factors

National 2026 data from Angi puts a mold inspection at $303 to $1,044; HomeGuide's range is $300 to $650. After a flood, cost depends on the size of the home, how many rooms and walls need readings, crawl space access, and whether you want lab samples. The City of Pacific says repairs to flood-damaged property need building permits and/or floodplain development approvals, and it posts guidance on cleaning up damaged structures in the floodplain. Homeowners insurance does not cover floods, so a dated report with photos and readings is worth having for any flood insurance claim.