Pulling Photos from a Flood

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, and on the brink of Hurricane Milton, one heartbreaking loss is that of photographs and memories. Of course family albums and pictures become an afterthought when our lives are interrupted by having no power, waiting in long lines for fuel, staring at the cell phone in hopes of getting a signal or better, an actual text. In Western North Carolina, we’re living it right now. So when you’re ready to take a breath and start digging into saving those memories most precious to you, we’re here to help before it’s too late.

Guest poster Juls Buckman, photographer and owner of Buckman Studios in Horseshoe, NC, provides valuable steps you can take to begin the process of saving photographs and albums pulled from flood waters.

If your photos are wet:
Remove photos from frames, albums, or enclosures. If photos are stuck together, try gently separating them while they're still wet. Do not leave photos touching glass or each other because the image may adhere to other surfaces as they dry. 

If photos are muddy or visibly dirty: 
You can rinse them in clean water. Wear gloves to protect your hands. 

Dry photos by: 
Laying them face up on a clean, absorbent surface like a paper towel, blotter, or unprinted newsprint. Change paper towels every one to two hours. Place them in a well-ventilated area, like a room with a dehumidifier or outside in the shade. You can use fans to speed up drying. 
* If you hang photos on a clothesline, make sure the clips only touch the edges of the photos and avoid sunlight and wind which will cause hanging photos to curl. 

If you can't dry the photos now:
You can freeze them. Rinse them first, then stack them between wax paper layers.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips!

Thank you for reading. 
I appreciate you.
~ Vicki