Water across a wood floor inside an open patio door after rain got in

Flood Damage Cleanup After Outside Water Gets In

Rain that overwhelmed the street, storm surge, a canal over its banks or a king tide in a low spot. Outside water is treated as contaminated, so the call goes to an independent local company that handles flood cleanup.

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Flood damage is a different job from a leak

A burst supply line puts clean water into a house. A flood puts outside water in: rain that the street drains could not take, surge pushed in by a hurricane, a canal or lake over its banks, or tidal water rising through low ground. That water picks up whatever was on the street and in the soil. The EPA's flood cleanup guidance says floodwater can be mixed with sewage, dirt and other substances, and that even a rainwater flood can carry bacteria and chemicals indoors.

So flood cleanup is handled as contaminated water. Porous materials it reached usually come out, surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and the structure is dried and tested. Dominion Water Damage does not do that work; it is a free phone line that connects you with an independent local company that does.

Empty room with a dark waterline across the lower drywall after floodwater stood inside

Floodwater safety

If anyone is hurt or in danger, call 911 first.
Stay out of standing water that may touch outlets, cords or appliances. Do not try to fix anything electrical.
If it is safe to reach, shut off the main water valve to stop a leak.
Stay out of floodwater; it can carry sewage and debris.

How South Florida floods

Extreme rain in a few hours

On April 12, 2023, NOAA reports 15 to 25 inches fell across the Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood area, with near-continuous heavy rain at the airport from about 5 p.m. to midnight. In June 2024, more than 20 inches fell in Fort Lauderdale and more than 22 inches in northeast Miami-Dade over a few days.

Hurricanes and tropical storms

The Atlantic season runs June 1 to November 30. Surge reaches the coast and the bay side, and the rain bands that come with a storm can flood neighborhoods far inland.

King tides

Predictable high tides in the fall flood low coastal streets on sunny days. The City of Miami lists king tide windows from September through November and says the flooding lasts about three hours around each peak.

Low, flat ground

With porous limestone and a high water table, the ground fills up in a long rainy spell and water has nowhere to soak in. Low lots and older streets feel it first.

What flood cleanup usually involves

A safety check firstThe EPA says not to go back in until the home is confirmed free of structural, electrical or other hazards.
Pumping and extractionStanding water and mud come out, from the lowest rooms and the garage first.
Flood cutsWet drywall and insulation are cut away above the waterline so the wall cavities can be cleaned and dried.
Removing soaked contents and flooringCarpet, pad and anything porous that floodwater reached is usually discarded.
Cleaning and dryingRemaining surfaces are cleaned, then dehumidifiers and air movers run until meters show the structure is dry.
DocumentationPhotos, moisture readings and an itemized list of what was removed, for your insurer or for FEMA if a disaster is declared.

Check your flood zone before the next storm

Each county publishes its flood maps. Your zone affects whether flood insurance is required on a mortgage, though every area can flood.

Miami-Dade County

The county's interactive flood zone tool shows your FEMA map. The county says the current maps took effect September 11, 2009, and the 2021 preliminary maps are not yet effective.

Broward County

Broward's flood map viewer shows both the current FEMA designations, effective July 31, 2024, and the superseded 2014 maps for each parcel.

Palm Beach County

The county says FEMA's updated flood zone maps took effect December 20, 2024, and it offers an online lookup. Cities such as West Palm Beach run their own map tools with base flood elevations by parcel.

Paperwork after a flood

Flood claims and water damage claims often run through different policies. FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so a flood loss may go to a separate flood policy, while water that started inside the home goes to your homeowners or condo policy. Some storms produce both. The safest habit is to report the damage to every insurer you have, early, and let them sort out which policy applies.

Florida law bars a property insurance claim unless notice is given within one year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim within 18 months. Keep the company's photos, moisture logs and estimates together; they are what an adjuster asks for. The line does not give insurance advice and cannot promise any claim will be paid.

Tell the assistant the water came in from outside. The company you are connected with will know to treat it as floodwater.

Call (844) 906-3984

Homeowner taking a phone photo of a wet carpet stain in a bedroom for an insurance claim

About this line: Dominion Water Damage is a free phone line, not a restoration company. It answers your call and connects you with an independent local water damage restoration company, which inspects, quotes and does the work, and which you pay directly. Companies may pay a referral fee. You never pay the line. See how the line works.

Common questions

What counts as flood damage in Florida?

For the federal flood insurance program, a flood is a general and temporary condition where two or more acres of normally dry land, or two or more properties, are covered by water from overflowing inland or tidal waters or an unusual and rapid runoff of surface water. A pipe bursting inside one home is not a flood under that definition, which is why the source of the water matters for paperwork.

Is floodwater dangerous to clean up?

It can be. The CDC says nobody knows exactly what is in floodwater at a given time; it can carry human and livestock waste, hazardous waste, debris and downed power lines. The EPA notes that even rainwater floods can bring in bacteria and chemicals. A flood cleanup company should use protective gear and treat everything the water touched.

Do I have to throw out drywall and carpet after a flood?

Often, yes. The EPA's flood cleanup guidance says to throw away materials that soak up a lot of water, such as drywall, carpets and ceiling tiles, and anything that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours. The company that inspects your home decides what can be saved.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

FEMA says most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage; flood coverage is a separate policy, often through the National Flood Insurance Program, and new NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Ask your agent what your policies say. The line cannot tell you what you are covered for.

Floodwater inside? Call before you start pulling things out

Call the free line any hour. Say what happened and whether water is still coming in, and the call is put through to an independent, locally owned restoration company that serves your area. That company looks at the damage and gives you its own price.