Water damage restoration in Alva (33920)
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.
Edison and Ford Winter EstatesLee County had 760,822 residents in the April 1, 2020 Census count. A Census Bureau estimate for July 1, 2025 is 875,607, a change of 15.1 percent. The county was created on May 13, 1887, after separating from Monroe County. It became a charter county after a November 5, 1996 vote, effective January 1, 1997.
The county covers 1,212 square miles in total, of which the Census Bureau reports 781.01 square miles as land area (2020). Cape Coral is the largest city, with a Census estimate of 236,264 for July 1, 2025 (194,016 in the 2020 Census). Fort Myers has an estimate of 101,581 (86,395 in 2020).
The Census Bureau estimates 479,540 housing units on July 1, 2025, and 327,803 households. The owner-occupied housing rate is 74.3 percent for 2020-2024.
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 Southwest Florida are up against
Hurricane Ian's surge produced maximum inundation of 10 to 15 ft above ground level on Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island in Lee County. In Naples, maximum inundation was 6 to 9 ft above ground level. Surge reached 5 to 8 ft above ground level up the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers.
Ian also brought heavy rain. The highest storm-total rainfall recorded was 26.95 inches in Grove City, just north of the landfall location on the western side of the state, and a National Weather Service Tampa Bay report lists that total under Charlotte County.
During Hurricane Irma on 10 September 2017, inundation of 3 to 5 ft above ground level occurred along the southwestern Florida coast from Marco Island northward through Naples to Fort Myers.
Storms that hit close to home
Hurricane Ian made landfall at Cayo Costa in Lee County on September 28, 2022, as a Category 4 hurricane with 130 kt winds. The National Hurricane Center reports peak storm-surge inundation of 10 to 15 ft above ground at Fort Myers Beach and 9 to 13 ft above ground on eastern Sanibel Island. In the county, Ian impacted at least 52,514 structures. Of those, 5,369 were destroyed and 14,245 received major damage. An estimated 900 structures were totally destroyed in Fort Myers Beach alone.
Hurricane Charley made landfall near Cayo Costa on August 13, 2004, with maximum sustained winds near 130 kt. A tide gauge near Horseshoe Key measured a 4.2 ft storm surge.
In 2024, the Fort Myers tide gauge measured 5.12 ft above MHHW during Hurricane Helene and 5.27 ft above MHHW during Hurricane Milton. Milton also brought three tornadoes on October 9, including an EF2 in Fort Myers, with no injuries or deaths.
In the news
- 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.
- Naples condo first in city to install storm flood barrier after Ian (opens in a new tab)
A Naples condominium that took about 38 inches of water in Ian in 2022, which disabled its ground-floor generator and electrical gear, has put up a deployable metal flood barrier. It is the first in the city; the report gives no cost.
- Lee County shares lessons learned from Hurricane Ian at conference (opens in a new tab)
At a state hurricane conference in May 2026, Lee County staff said unpermitted post-Ian rebuilding was hard to police across thousands of homes, and that FEMA had threatened to drop the county and most cities from the flood insurance program.
- 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.
- Lee County launches new resource website 'Flooding Facts' (opens in a new tab)
Released after Hurricane Milton, the county's flooding site separates river, sheet-flow, surge and flash flooding and compares how Charley, Irma, Ian, Helene and Milton each flooded Lee County differently. Useful for knowing which flood type a property faces.
Permits and rules
Lee County requires a repair permit for any damage or flood repairs to any structure. The county compares the repair cost with the pre-storm structure value to decide whether the 50% Rule for substantial damage applies.
Under s. 627.70132, Florida Statutes, notice of a property insurance claim must be given to the insurer within 1 year after the date of loss, and notice of a supplemental claim within 18 months, or the claim is barred. Under s. 627.7152, a policyholder may not assign post-loss benefits under a residential or commercial property policy issued on or after January 1, 2023.
Florida law makes it unlawful to perform or offer mold assessment or mold remediation without complying with the licensing part of Chapter 468.
Updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Lee County take effect March 2, 2027. Lee County Utilities lists 239-533-8700 to report a water or sewer emergency.
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 Alva (33920).
- 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 Lee County
Lee County lists six municipalities: the City of Cape Coral, City of Fort Myers, City of Bonita Springs, Village of Estero, City of Sanibel and Town of Fort Myers Beach. The county's 2011 Evaluation and Appraisal Report gives incorporation years of 1886 for Fort Myers, 1970 for Cape Coral, 1974 for Sanibel, 1995 for Fort Myers Beach and 2000 for Bonita Springs. The Village of Estero was created and established on December 31, 2014.
The current Lee Plan also refers by name to the North Olga Community Plan, the Greater Pine Island Planning District, Lehigh Acres, Burnt Store Marina Village and the University Community. On April 21, 2026, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to update the Lee Plan for the Southeast Lee Community Plan Area after receiving 11 privately initiated amendments. A community roundtable was held May 18, 2026.
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 Alva (33920). Main Street Water Damage connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.