Storm & Hurricane Water Damage Restoration

Storm & Hurricane Response

Storm & Hurricane Water Damage Restoration in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale sits roughly 9 feet above sea level with drainage that’s slow almost everywhere in the city, so a single tropical storm can put standing water inside a home in under an hour. We handle storm surge intrusion, wind-driven rain, and post-hurricane flooding for Fort Lauderdale and Broward County homeowners — extraction, drying, and insurance-ready documentation, dispatched 24/7 during and after a storm.

Call (214) 286-6943
Is Storm Damage Covered?

24/7 Emergency Response
IICRC-Informed Technicians
Licensed & Insured
Insurance-Friendly Documentation

Local Reality

Why Storm Damage Hits Fort Lauderdale Differently

South Florida’s hurricane season runs June through November, and Fort Lauderdale’s geography makes it more exposed than most cities its size. The New River and the canal network that gives the city its “Venice of America” nickname mean a lot of homes sit close to tidal water, and low elevation across most neighborhoods slows drainage after heavy rain even without a named storm. Add a king tide or a slow-moving system stalling offshore, and streets that normally drain in an hour can stay flooded for a day or more — with water finding its way in through door thresholds, low-lying garages, and ground-floor slab foundations common in older Fort Lauderdale construction.

That combination is why we treat storm response differently from a routine leak. Storm water that entered through flooding or surge is usually Category 2 or Category 3 contaminated water, not clean water, which changes both the safety protocol and what can be dried versus what has to be removed.

What We Handle

Storm & Hurricane Damage We Restore

Storm Surge & Tidal Flood Intrusion

Water pushed inland by surge or an unusually high king tide is treated as contaminated water — extracted, and every affected material is evaluated for what can be dried versus what needs removal.

Wind-Driven Rain Damage

Rain forced through roof damage, a failed window seal, or a compromised door during high wind causes damage that often isn’t obvious until it’s tracked to its source and moisture-mapped.

Roof & Ceiling Leak Extraction

Storm-damaged roofing lets water travel along framing before it shows up as a ceiling stain, so we trace the path, not just the visible spot.

Structural Drying & Dehumidification

Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers with moisture levels monitored and logged daily until the structure reads dry, not just “looks dry.”

Contamination Assessment

Storm and flood water is assumed Category 2 or 3 until tested — we determine contamination level before deciding what’s salvageable.

Insurance & FEMA-Ready Documentation

Photo and moisture-log documentation formatted for your adjuster, and for FEMA claims when a storm triggers a federal disaster declaration.

The Question Everyone Asks First

Will My Insurance Cover Hurricane and Storm Damage?

It depends entirely on how the water got in, and this is the single most misunderstood part of storm damage claims in Florida. A standard homeowners policy typically covers wind-driven rain that enters through a storm-created opening — a blown-off shingle, a broken window, wind damage to the roof itself. It does not typically cover storm surge or rising floodwater, even during the same hurricane. That distinction is why so many homeowners are surprised after a storm: the wind damage is covered, the flood damage next to it often isn’t.

Flood damage — including storm surge — is generally only covered under a separate flood insurance policy, usually through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). If you’re in a flood zone in Broward County, or close enough to the canal system that surge is a realistic risk, that’s a policy worth having before hurricane season, not after.

Wind-driven rain through storm-created openings: typically covered by homeowners insurance
Storm surge and rising floodwater: typically requires separate NFIP flood insurance
We document which category your damage falls into, in writing, so your claim reflects what actually happened
We can speak directly with your adjuster about the source and category of the water

Before the Next Storm

How Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Can Reduce Storm Water Risk

1 Know whether your property carries separate flood insurance — a standard homeowners policy is usually not enough near canals or low-lying streets.
2 Clear gutters and downspouts before June 1st, when hurricane season officially begins — clogged drainage is one of the most common causes of preventable interior water intrusion.
3 Photograph your property’s condition before storm season as a baseline for any future insurance claim.
4 Keep our number saved — response time in the first 24–48 hours after a storm is what usually decides whether it stays a drying job or becomes a mold remediation job.
5 After any storm, check ground-floor slab areas and garages first — they’re typically the first place surge or heavy rain intrusion shows up in Fort Lauderdale homes.

Our Process

What Happens When You Call Us After a Storm

1

Emergency Call & Dispatch

Call (214) 286-6943 and tell us what’s happening. During active storm response, we prioritize by contamination level and how long water has been standing.

2

Inspection & Written Plan

We assess the source — wind-driven rain versus surge or flooding — and give you a written plan and straight talk about what your policy is likely to cover before we start.

3

Extraction & Drying

Standing water is extracted, contamination level is confirmed, and industrial drying equipment goes to work with moisture levels monitored and logged.

4

Documentation & Restoration

You receive full documentation for your insurance or FEMA claim as we restore the affected area to a safe, dry condition.

FAQ

Storm & Hurricane Water Damage Questions

How fast can you respond during a hurricane or active storm?
We dispatch 24/7, including during and immediately after a storm. Response order during major weather events is prioritized by water contamination level and how long a property has been affected, since that determines the risk of secondary mold damage.
Is storm surge the same as flood damage for insurance purposes?
Yes. Storm surge is treated as flood damage by insurers, meaning it generally falls under a separate NFIP flood policy rather than standard homeowners coverage, even when the surge is caused by a hurricane.
My roof was damaged and rain got into the ceiling — is that covered differently than flooding?
Usually, yes. Wind-driven rain that enters through storm-created roof or window damage is typically covered under standard homeowners insurance, unlike rising floodwater or surge, which usually isn’t.
How long after a storm can mold start growing?
Mold can begin developing within 24 to 48 hours in the right conditions, and Fort Lauderdale’s humidity makes that window even less forgiving. This is why calling immediately after a storm — not once the rain has stopped days later — matters.
Do you help with FEMA claims after a federally declared disaster?
Yes. When a storm triggers a federal disaster declaration, we format our documentation to support both standard insurance claims and FEMA assistance applications.

Storm or Flood Water in Your Home Right Now?

Every hour standing water sits increases the risk of mold and structural damage. We respond 24/7 across Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

Call (214) 286-6943

Call Now: (214) 286-6943