Flood, storm and king tide water cleanup in Fort Lauderdale
Water that comes in from the street, a canal or a storm is treated as contaminated from the start, even when it looks clear. It can carry sewage, fuel and salt. Carpet, pad, insulation and the lower part of drywall it touched usually come out, and everything left is cleaned before drying begins.
Fort Lauderdale floods from rain and from tide. On April 12, 2023, a flash flood here caused at least $28 million in damage and displaced residents of entire neighborhoods for as much as a week, according to the National Weather Service. The city also warns that king tides, its highest tides of the year, flood low streets on predicted dates each fall.
Your call is connected with an independent local company. Water category for this page: category 3 (contaminated) for any water that came in from outside.
Illustrative photo.
Right now
- 1If the water is still coming up, move to higher ground and call 911. Never wade or drive through moving water.
- 2Keep the power off in any room where water reached outlets, and have an electrician check the panel before turning it back on.
- 3Keep children and pets away from the water. Wear boots and gloves if you have to go in.
- 4Photograph the water line on each wall and every damaged item for your records before anything is thrown out.
- 5Report flooded streets and clogged storm drains to the city at 954-828-8000.
Fort Lauderdale facts for this problem
Fort Lauderdale recorded 22.5 inches of rain on April 12, 2023, the largest one-day total on NWS Miami's 1912 to 2025 records sheet.
Source: NWS Miami: Climatological Records for Fort Lauderdale, FL.
NWS Miami says the April 12, 2023 flash flood caused at least $28 million in damage and displaced residents of entire neighborhoods for as much as a week.
The city's king tide page lists at least 40 predicted king tide days in 2026, with the highest tides typically in September, October and November.
Fort Lauderdale requires new seawalls to be built to an elevation of at least 5 feet.
The city notes a 30-day waiting period before new NFIP flood coverage takes effect.
Source: City of Fort Lauderdale: Floods and Flood Insurance.
Citizens Property Insurance must require flood coverage on all remaining personal residential policies from January 1, 2027.
Source: Fla. Stat. 627.351.
FEMA records 7,976 NFIP flood claims in Fort Lauderdale's ten residential ZIP codes, with $242,706,124 paid on building and contents.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, calculated by Lauderdale Flood Line on November 12, 2026.
Claims with a 2023 date of loss, the year of the April flood, number 2,525 in those ZIPs, with $186,523,783 paid.
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, calculated by Lauderdale Flood Line on November 12, 2026.
The city maintains about 200 tidal valves that let rain drain out while keeping tide water from backing up into streets, and inspects them quarterly. It requires new seawalls to be built to an elevation of at least 5 feet. Look up your flood zone on the city's GIS map, or call the floodplain manager at 954-828-6133.
Sources: City of Fort Lauderdale: King Tides and High Tides; City of Fort Lauderdale FEMA flood zone lookup
What the work usually involves
Use this as a checklist when a company walks you through the job.
- Safety check and pump-outElectrical hazards are checked first, then standing water is pumped out so the rooms can be worked in.
- Remove contaminated materialsSilt, debris, wet carpet and pad, and drywall below the water line are removed and bagged.
- Clean and disinfectFloors, framing and remaining surfaces are washed and treated before any drying equipment goes in.
- DryDehumidifiers and air movers run until the framing and slab read dry, which takes longer after salt water.
- DocumentPhotos and moisture readings are kept for your records and for any flood insurance adjuster who asks.
How insurance usually treats it
A standard homeowners policy does not cover flooding from outside. Flood damage is covered only by a National Flood Insurance Program policy or a private flood policy, and the City of Fort Lauderdale notes a 30-day waiting period before new NFIP coverage takes effect. Citizens Property Insurance policyholders face a state flood insurance requirement under Florida Statutes section 627.351(6)(aa) that reaches all remaining personal residential policies on January 1, 2027, with exceptions for wind-excluded policies and condo unit-owner forms.
General information, not insurance advice. Your policy decides. Florida rules at a glance.
What changes the size of the job
- The depth the water reached and how many hours it stood
- Salt or brackish water, which needs more cleaning
- How much flooring, insulation and lower drywall has to be removed
- Whether the AC air handler, water heater or electrical panel got wet
- Cleaning, disinfection and drying time
We don't quote prices. A company measures moisture on site and writes an itemized estimate.
Questions people ask
How do I find my flood zone in Fort Lauderdale?
The city runs a flood zone lookup at gis.fortlauderdale.gov/FemaFloodZones, and FEMA's Flood Map Service Center lets you search by address. For questions, the city lists its floodplain manager at 954-828-6133.
When are king tides in Fort Lauderdale?
The city's 2026 list predicts king tides on at least 40 days, including Sept. 10-13, Sept. 26-Oct. 1, Oct. 7-13, Oct. 24-31, Nov. 5-11, Nov. 22-28 and Dec. 24-25. The city says its highest tides typically come in September, October and November.
Does homeowners insurance cover king tide flooding?
No. Tidal and storm flooding from outside is flood damage, which only a flood policy covers. Rain blown in through a damaged window or roof is a different kind of loss, so note exactly how the water got in.
Can anything be saved after flood water?
Often. Metal, glass, hard plastic and solid wood furniture can usually be cleaned and disinfected. Mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpet pad and most paper soaked by flood water are usually thrown away. Photograph them first.