The 24-to-48-hour window is real, and Atlanta humidity does not help.
What the window means
Under the right conditions — saturated organic material, warmth, no airflow — mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours. Drywall, insulation, carpet pad, and subfloor are all food. Atlanta summers supply the rest.
Why “it dried on its own” is a trap
Surfaces dry first. The subfloor under the tile, the insulation in the wall cavity, and the framing behind it hold moisture for days. A dry-feeling floor over a wet subfloor is how a water loss quietly becomes a mold project.
The only way to know
Moisture meters. A restoration crew reads the actual moisture content of the material and dries until it hits target. Nobody can tell you a wall is dry by touching it, and anyone who does is guessing with your house.