Water damage restoration in Fort Lauderdale (33311)
Burst pipe, leak or flooding? Call and we'll connect you with a local water damage pro.
Call (772) 555-0101Main Street Water Damage is a free referral service. We connect you with independent local service providers. We don't do the work ourselves.
Riverwalk, Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale had 182,760 residents in the April 1, 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 population estimate (vintage 2025) is 188,677. It is the largest of Broward County's 31 municipalities and one of the ten largest cities in Florida, with a land area of 34.59 square miles per the 2020 Census. The city was incorporated on March 27, 1911. It takes its name from Major William Lauderdale, who led a detachment of Tennessee Volunteers south along Florida's east coast during the Second Seminole War in 1838.
In the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 54.1% of housing units were owner-occupied, there were 80,999 households averaging 2.25 persons, and the median value of owner-occupied units was $486,700. The city's Housing Element, using the 2005 American Community Survey, reported 80,239 year-round housing units: 60% multi-family and 35% single-family detached. It also reported 28% built 1970-1979.
Common problems
- Burst or leaking pipes, including supply lines to sinks, toilets and washing machines
- Roof leaks after heavy rain or wind, often showing up first as a ceiling stain
- Water heater leaks and failures
- Flooding from storms, overwhelmed drainage or rising water
- Appliance leaks from dishwashers, refrigerators and ice makers
- Sewer and drain backups
Help with a specific problem
What homes in Fort Lauderdale are up against
On April 12, 2023, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport recorded a daily rainfall total of 25.91 inches, including 19.98 inches in 6 hours. NWS Miami gives the event an average recurrence interval of over 200 years, a 0.5% chance in any given year. Its review reports over 1,000 homes with major damage, another 200-plus with minor damage, and about 600 residents displaced. In February 2026 the city announced a FEMA-funded Citywide Stormwater Pipe Replacement Project to replace pipes damaged during that flood.
The city says it typically experiences its highest tides in September, October and November, and names Victoria Park and Southeast Isles among neighborhoods vulnerable to tidal flooding. It maintains 215 tidal valves, which let rainwater drain while keeping tidal saltwater from backing up onto neighborhood streets.
During Hurricane Irma on September 10, 2017, NWS Miami reported storm-surge inundation of slightly greater than 3 feet along the Broward County coast from Hallandale Beach to Fort Lauderdale.
Storms that hit close to home
Hurricane Katrina made its first U.S. landfall as a Category 1 hurricane with 70-knot winds near the Miami-Dade/Broward County border at about 2230 UTC on August 25, 2005. Two months later, Hurricane Wilma made landfall near Cape Romano as a Category 3 hurricane around 1030 UTC on October 24, 2005, and crossed the peninsula in about 4.5 hours. Fort Lauderdale airport (KFLL) recorded 3.04 inches of rain during Wilma.
In November 2020, the National Hurricane Center's report on Eta (November 8-9) said major flooding was the storm's greatest impact in South Florida. Water entered some structures in parts of Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill and Davie.
A National Weather Service Miami survey of the April 12-13, 2023 flood found the deepest standing water in Fort Lauderdale's Edgewood neighborhood. Water marks were just over 3 feet at Floyd Hull Stadium and 2.8 feet on a building off SE 17th Street and SE 3rd Avenue.
In the news
- Higher Tides Expected This Week (Oct. 7-13) (opens in a new tab)
The city says high tides from Oct. 7 to 13 could cause minor street flooding, though levels are forecast below late September's, and rain near peak tide would make ponding worse. Residents are told to avoid standing water and report impassable roads to the city.
- Hurricane scam: Florida sues company over millions in stolen insurance funds (opens in a new tab)
Florida's attorney general sued Evolve Construction in September 2026, alleging it took insurance money from Hurricane Ian and Milton victims, mostly seniors, for roof, mold and restoration work it never started. Verify licenses and avoid big upfront payments.
- Heavy rain brings flooding, difficult travel to Fort Lauderdale (opens in a new tab)
Heavy rain on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 flooded streets and slowed travel in Fort Lauderdale. The part of the page that could be read gave no rainfall totals or flooded neighborhoods, so check the article for details on home impacts.
- Flood insurance will be mandatory for most Citizens policyholders by 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Citizens Property Insurance is phasing in a flood insurance requirement for its homeowners that reaches all remaining policies Jan. 1, 2027, even outside FEMA flood zones. Homeowners policies exclude rising water, and noncompliance can cost you your Citizens coverage.
- PHOTOS: Fort Lauderdale declares state of emergency after historic rainfall, flooding (opens in a new tab)
Historic rain on 12-13 April 2023 flooded parts of Broward County, hitting Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale hardest, per the county mayor. Fort Lauderdale declared a state of emergency, about 400 airport flights were canceled, and Dania Beach and a mobile home park flooded too.
Permits and rules
The city requires a permit under Florida Building Code section 105.1 to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move or demolish a building or structure. Building Services issues permits through the LauderBuild portal.
Florida's mold law (Florida Statutes chapter 468, part XVI) provides state licensing for mold assessors and remediators, covering mold or mold-contaminated matter of more than 10 square feet. An assessor or its company may not remediate a structure it assessed within the last 12 months.
Under Florida Statutes 627.70132, notice of a property-insurance claim is due within 1 year after the date of loss for an initial or reopened claim, or 18 months for a supplemental claim. Post-loss benefits under policies issued on or after January 1, 2023 cannot be assigned (627.7152(13)).
The city's flood page says the National Flood Insurance Program requires new-building standards when rebuilding or improving a flood-damaged building costs 50% or more of its market value.
What affects the cost
Prices vary by provider and by how much was affected, so ask for an estimate. What usually affects the cost:
- How large an area got wet, and for how long
- Whether the water was clean, like a supply line, or contaminated, like sewage or floodwater
- How much material has to come out, such as drywall, flooring or insulation
- Whether mold has started to grow
- Drying equipment and how many days it runs
- Rebuilding after the drying is done
What happens when you call
- You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
- We connect your call to an independent water damage provider who serves Fort Lauderdale (33311).
- You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.
Main Street Water Damage doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.
Around Fort Lauderdale
For 2026, the City of Fort Lauderdale recognizes neighborhood associations across Commission Districts 1-4. They include Coral Ridge Association, Victoria Park Civic Association, Flagler Village Civic Association, Sailboat Bend Civic Association, Rio Vista Civic Association and Central Beach Alliance.
The same city page also lists neighborhoods that are not on the officially recognized list, such as Las Olas Isles Homeowners Association, Port Royale Master Association and Navarro Isle Homeowners Association. Palm-Aire appears several times: Home Owners of Palm Aire Village, Inc. is recognized in District 1, while East Palm-Aire Village HOA, Lofts of Palm-Aire Village, Palm Aire Village 1 Condominium Association and West Palm-Aire are not.
City fire stations are at addresses in ZIP codes 33304, 33308, 33309, 33311, 33312, 33315 and 33316. Station 16, at 533 NE 22nd St., is in Wilton Manors (ZIP 33305). The city says it operates 12 stations, including that one.
Questions people ask
What should I do first?
If it's safe, shut off the water at the main valve and turn off power to wet areas. Move valuables out of the water and take photos of the damage.
How long does drying take?
It depends on how much got wet and what it's made of. Your provider measures moisture and can tell you how long their equipment needs to run.
Will insurance cover it?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden leaks are often treated differently from flooding or slow leaks. Check with your insurer and report the claim promptly.
Who will come to my home?
An independent water damage provider who serves Fort Lauderdale (33311). Main Street Water Damage connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.