Harbour Heights flood and surge cleanup

The Peace River gathers rain from a large area to the north, and Ian showed what that means. The National Hurricane Center reports that counties north of the track, including Charlotte, saw significant flooding when the Peace and other rivers crested at record levels ^[1]. Compared with a surge, which comes and goes on a tide, a river flood rises more slowly and can stay for days. That leaves walls soaking far longer, so more material has to come out.

Surge can reach this far as well. Coastal estimates of 2 to 5 feet in Helene and 4 to 8 feet in Milton are for the county's shoreline ^{[4] [5]}, and what makes it upriver depends on tide and track. If you are on the river, plan for both.

Silt settles at the bottom of a wall. Even when you can see only a few inches of dirty water marks, the cavity may hold mud and wet insulation. So walls are usually opened above the water line, and the bases cleaned before drying. Older additions and enclosed porches deserve particular attention, since they may have hidden cavities and low points.

Be careful what you disturb in an older home, and ask about testing for older materials before heavy demolition. Upstream water can also carry farm and yard chemicals, so wear gloves, boots and a mask throughout ^[6].

Harbour Heights is unincorporated, so building questions generally go to Charlotte County Community Development. Homes in mapped flood zones may need to meet current code, including elevation, when repairs exceed half of the building's value ^[7].

Talk to the department before rebuilding. It is better to know where you stand before you order materials.

Standard homeowners policies frequently exclude flood, so river water usually goes through a flood policy if you have one. Read its rules, which may be different from Florida's general one-year notice limit for new claims ^[8]. Keep notes on when you were kept from the home, photos of the water height and lists of removed items. Wind damage to the roof in the same storm may need separate reporting.

Learn more on the surge and flood cleanup page and the Harbour Heights page. The first steps guide is a useful printout.

After days under water, mold is a matter of when. The EPA says items wet for more than two days usually develop mold ^[3]. Removal comes first, followed by cleaning and drying. For larger areas, or significant water damage, the EPA suggests considering a professional ^[9], and Florida generally requires separate firms for assessment and remediation on one structure ^[10].

Some riverside properties may rely on wells or septic systems, and a flood can affect both. If yours went under water, do not assume your tap water is safe or that the drain field is working. Ask the county health department for guidance, and hold off on normal use until you have an answer. A system that has been flooded can back up into the house, which would add contaminated water to a home you have just cleaned.

Tell your contractor about either system, since it affects where wash water goes during cleanup.

Have an electrician inspect dock pedestals and outdoor circuits on the river side before anyone turns them on.

Leave muddy boots outside so silt stays out of rooms already cleaned.