Water Damage Restoration in Orlando, FL
Orlando by the numbers: 15 flood report days from 2016 to 2025, 2 freezing nights a year, 18 federal disaster declarations since 2016. Below: first steps, the records, Florida insurance rules and costs.
Updated October 31, 2026
First Steps for Water in a Home in Orlando
- Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
- Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
- Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.
How Often Orlando Floods
Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties logged flooding on 15 days from 2016 to 2025 (35 NOAA reports), September most often.
At the Orlando International Airport gauge, June is the wettest month with 8.1 inches on average.
Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 9 report days.
| Month | Flood report days | Normal precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 2.5 |
| February | 0 | 2 |
| March | 0 | 3 |
| April | 0 | 2.6 |
| May | 1 | 4 |
| June | 1 | 8.1 |
| July | 1 | 7.5 |
| August | 1 | 7.7 |
| September | 6 | 6.4 |
| October | 4 | 3.5 |
| November | 1 | 1.8 |
| December | 0 | 2.5 |
| County | Flood report days | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 8 | 9 |
| Orange County | 8 | 11 |
| Seminole County | 8 | 9 |
| Osceola County | 5 | 6 |
Freezing Nights in Orlando
Orlando averages 2 nights a year at or below 32°F (Orlando International Airport station).
Storms and Disasters in Orlando
Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties were named in 18 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).
Notable NOAA storm reports
- March 10, 2025: Tornado, EF2 (Seminole County)The circulation touched down at approximately 9:35 AM EDT near the southeastern edge of Wekiwa Springs State Park where it produced mainly vegetative damage in the form of downed oak and pine trees, with peak winds of 80 to 90 mph.
- September 28, 2022: Hurricane (Osceola County)Hurricane Ian's slow movement and large wind field led to a long period of tropical storm force winds, with gusts to hurricane force in squalls, across Osceola County.
- June 6, 2020: Tornado, EF1 (Orange County)A National Weather Service damage survey and numerous eyewitness reports, photographs and video confirmed a waterspout/tornado moved north along a 5.1 mile path from Lake Conway to Thornton Park.
- May 21, 2020: Hail, 3 inch hail (Seminole County)A trained spotter reported three inch diameter hail in Sanford. Photos confirmed the hail size. This ties the largest hail size ever documented within east-central Florida.
- January 24, 2019: Thunderstorm wind, 96 mph gust (Lake County)A NWS storm survey confirmed a very intense straight-line wind event occurred in Mascotte-Groveland, as a portion of a strong squall line (bow echo) accelerated east to northeast across southern Lake County.
Federal disaster declarations
- October 11, 2024: Hurricane MiltonHurricane, FEMA DR-4834
- October 7, 2024: Hurricane MiltonHurricane, FEMA EM-3622
- August 10, 2024: Hurricane DebbyTropical Storm, FEMA DR-4806
- August 3, 2024: Tropical Storm DebbyTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3605
- August 31, 2023: Hurricane IdaliaHurricane, FEMA DR-4734
- August 28, 2023: Tropical Storm IdaliaTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3596
- December 13, 2022: Hurricane NicoleHurricane, FEMA DR-4680
- November 8, 2022: Tropical Storm NicoleTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3587
Orlando Housing at a Glance
Census figures for the city of Orlando (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 148,754 housing units, a median build year of 1992, 33% built before 1980, 20% before 1970, 40% owner occupied.
Florida Insurance Rules for Water Claims
Florida insurers must review and acknowledge a claim communication within 7 calendar days and pay or deny a property claim within 60 days after notice (Fla. Stat. 627.70131).
Claim problems in Florida go to the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services.
Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Orlando flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.
Restoration Cost Guide for Orlando
| Typical range (national) | Cost |
|---|---|
| Most jobs | $1,305 to $5,707 |
| Sewage, per sq ft | $7 to $7.50 |
| Average insurer payout, water or freeze claim | $15,400 |
Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.
Areas Served Around Orlando
The same 24/7 line covers the Orlando metro area, including:
- Orlando
- Kissimmee
- St. Cloud
- Sanford
- Apopka
- Ocoee
- Clermont
- Winter Garden
- Altamonte Springs
- Oviedo
- Winter Springs
- Leesburg
Other Florida city guides
Questions
When is the first freeze in Orlando?
The median first night at or below 32°F is January 10 and the median last is January 25 at the Orlando International Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).
Does Florida license mold assessment or remediation?
Florida law bars anyone from performing or offering mold assessment without meeting the state's mold assessor licensing law (Fla. Stat. 468.8419).
How fast does mold start?
Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).
Sources: NOAA Storm Events, NOAA normals, OpenFEMA, Census ACS, Fla. Stat. 627.70131, Fla. Stat. 468.8419, EPA mold guide.