Water damage restoration in Tangelo Park

Orange County had 1,429,908 residents at the April 1, 2020 Census. A Census Bureau estimate put the count at 1,528,002 on July 1, 2025 (vintage V2025). The City of Orlando had 307,573 residents in 2020 and a Census Bureau estimate of 333,888 on July 1, 2025.

The county was founded in 1824 as Mosquito County. It was renamed Orange County in 1845 for the fruit that was the county's main product. Voters approved its home rule charter at a referendum on November 4, 1986.

Census Bureau data show 614,386 housing units in the county on July 1, 2025. The owner-occupied housing unit rate was 56.8% (2020-2024), and the median owner-occupied home value was $390,100 (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

• Burst pipe
• Water leaking through the ceiling
• Flooded room
• Leaking water heater
• Mold after a leak
• What water damage restoration costs

What homes in Central Florida are up against

Flooding after Hurricane Ian was widespread. NWS Melbourne reported nearly $161 million in property damage throughout Orange County. Osceola County preliminarily reported 3,200 residential and 900 business structures affected or damaged, with a residential loss estimate of $148 million. A survey confirmed major flooding on the Little Wekiva River, with water entering several homes in Altamonte Springs. The St. Johns River had near-record or record flooding at Sanford and Lake Harney.

In October 2024, Hurricane Milton brought the St. Johns River to major flood stage at Lake Harney, DeLand and Astor, with a new preliminary record crest of 4.81 feet at Astor on October 12. The Orlando West observing site recorded 14.83 inches of rain, among the ten highest totals in east central Florida.

Under section 627.7152(13), Florida Statutes, a policyholder may not assign post-loss benefits under a residential or commercial property insurance policy issued on or after January 1, 2023. Any attempted assignment is void, invalid and unenforceable.

Storms that hit close to home

• Hurricane Charley, August 2004: Orlando International Airport measured sustained winds of 69 knots (hurricane force) and a gust to 91 knots. In Orange County, a girl died when strong winds blew a moving van into the vehicle she was in.
• Tornado, 6 June 2020: An EF-1 tornado tracked 5.12 miles from Lake Conway to Thornton Park, with peak winds of 100-105 mph. It caused $955,748 in damage and no injuries or deaths.
• Hurricane Ian, September 2022: 10-20 inches of rain fell in central and eastern Florida. Major floods hit waterways including the Little Wekiva River and Dunns and Shingle Creek, affecting Seminole, Orange, Lake, Putnam and Osceola Counties.
• Hurricane Nicole, November 2022: Two people in Orange County were electrocuted by live downed power lines.
• Hurricane Milton, October 2024: A National Weather Service report lists a 76 knot gust at Orlando International Airport and 14.83 inches of rain at the Orlando West station.

In the news

• Hurricane scam: Florida sues company over millions in stolen insurance funds (opens in a new tab)FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Sep 25, 2026

  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.

• Flood insurance will be mandatory for most Citizens policyholders by 2027 (opens in a new tab)News4JAX, Sep 16, 2025

  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.

• Hurricane Milton Impacts to East Central Florida (opens in a new tab)National Weather Service Melbourne, Dec 12, 2024

  NWS Melbourne's survey of Milton (Oct 9, 2024) confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Cocoa Beach and a 21-mile EF-1 track through rural Osceola County, plus 10-15+ inches of rain and St. Johns River flooding. Wind and flood damage both hit homes here.

• Hurricane Milton damage: Photos, videos around Central Florida (opens in a new tab)FOX 35 Orlando, Oct 10, 2024

  Milton's Oct 2024 passage brought neighborhood flooding in Altamonte Springs and DeLand, chest-deep water at an Orange County mobile home park, road washouts in Lake County, and a partly torn roof on the Cocoa Beach Pier.

• POST TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT...HURRICANE NICOLE (opens in a new tab)National Weather Service Melbourne, Nov 12, 2022

  Nicole (Nov 2022) produced gusts of roughly 45-75 mph across the region, about 76,000 Orange County power outages, major St. Johns River flooding at Astor in Lake County, and coastal erosion and structural damage in Volusia County.

Permits and rules

Orange County defines a residential repair as "the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance or to correct damage." Repair permits require a detailed scope of work and, in most cases, construction plans. Plans must be signed and sealed by a Florida licensed engineer or registered architect when repairs affect structural stability.

Related rules:

• Florida law bars an initial or reopened residential property insurance claim unless the insurer is notified within 1 year after the date of loss, and a supplemental claim unless notified within 18 months.
• A policyholder may not assign post-loss benefits under a residential property policy issued on or after January 1, 2023.
• Florida licenses mold assessors and remediators. Remediation means work on more than 10 square feet of mold or mold-contaminated matter.
• Flood insurance coverage takes effect after a 30-day waiting period.
• Orange County Utilities lists a 24-hour emergency line of 407-836-2777.

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

1. 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.
2. We connect your call to an independent water damage provider who serves Tangelo Park.
3. 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 Orange County

Orange County has 13 municipalities. Three are towns: Eatonville, Oakland and Windermere. The other ten are cities: Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Ocoee, Orlando, Winter Garden and Winter Park. The county's FY 2021-22 budget book also counts 17 distinct neighborhoods in the unincorporated area.

Horizon West is in southwest Orange County. The county describes it as the fastest growing community in unincorporated Orange County. It has five mixed-use villages and a Town Center, surrounded by greenbelts, on approximately 20,704 gross acres (11,850 developable acres). The concept was adopted in 1995, and the county lists a 2017 conversion to a Special Planning Area. When completed, it will include 42,000 residential units on former citrus groves.

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 Tangelo Park. Main Street Water Damage connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.