Water damage restoration in Port St. Lucie

Port St. Lucie is the largest city on the Treasure Coast, with about 268,000 residents by the Census Bureau's 2025 estimate, up from 204,851 in 2020. It was incorporated in 1961 on land that General Development Corporation divided into more than 80,000 lots, but most homes here are far newer: the median home was built in 2001, and about 6 in 10 date from 2000 or later. Nearly 9 in 10 homes are single-family houses.

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

What homes in Port St. Lucie are up against

Port St. Lucie drains through about 200 miles of canals, 1,200 miles of roadside swales and more than 6,000 culverts. Homeowners are responsible for keeping the swale and driveway culvert on their own lot clear, which helps water drain away during storms.

Heavy rain can still overwhelm the system. Tropical Storm Fay dropped 14 inches in 48 hours in 2008 and flooded homes in eastern Port St. Lucie, leading to a $34 million drainage project finished in 2012. In January 2024, about five inches of rain in two hours left up to three feet of water on streets near Savona and California boulevards.

Storms that hit close to home

• Hurricane Frances, September 2004. Came ashore at the southern end of Hutchinson Island. The highest storm surge measured on Florida's east coast, 5.89 feet, was at the St. Lucie Lock, and the National Weather Service called St. Lucie one of the hardest-hit counties.
• Hurricane Jeanne, September 2004. Hit the same stretch of coast three weeks later as a Category 3. The strongest gust measured in Florida, about 128 mph, was at the Fort Pierce Inlet.
• Hurricane Wilma, October 2005. Crossed the state from the southwest coast. The weather service estimated gusts over 100 mph on St. Lucie beaches.
• Hurricane Ian, September 2022. Rain bands flooded roads and yards in parts of the county.
• Hurricane Milton, October 9, 2024. Spawned tornadoes across the county. An EF-3 with peak winds of 155 mph tracked about 21 miles from near Carlton into Indian River County, and all six deaths were in the Spanish Lakes community. EF-1 tornadoes also hit central Port St. Lucie, Lakewood Park and the Indrio Road area.

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.

• Utility Systems Department launches Lunch and Learn sessions (opens in a new tab)City of Port St. Lucie, Sep 21, 2026

  Port St. Lucie Utility Systems is offering free quarterly lunch sessions. The Oct. 5, 2026 class covers keeping fats, oils, grease and rags out of drains; later ones cover sewer systems and storm recovery. Clogged lines are a common cause of sewage backups in homes.

• City of PSL Hurricane Milton Advisory #1 (opens in a new tab)City of Port St. Lucie, Oct 7, 2024

  Port St. Lucie's first Milton advisory on Oct. 7, 2024 urged residents to secure their homes and keep swales and drainage areas clear of grass and leaves. The city said it would not hand out sandbags, noting they are not recommended for keeping water out of buildings.

• Homes in Nettles Island flooded after storms move through Hutchinson Island (opens in a new tab)WPTV, Jan 16, 2024

  Storms on the night of Jan. 15, 2024 flooded several homes in the Nettles Island community on Hutchinson Island, St. Lucie County, sending about a foot of water into garages and yards after debris clogged drains. Two tornadoes touched down nearby with minor damage.

• Treasure Coast Spared the Brunt of Ian (opens in a new tab)WQCS, Sep 29, 2022

  Ian crossed the Treasure Coast as a tropical storm overnight in late September 2022, cutting power and toppling trees. St. Lucie officials reported water in swales, yards and roads but few reports of home damage, and Martin County saw minor flooding.

Permits and rules

• Water or sewer emergency? Port St. Lucie Utility Systems answers (772) 873-6400 around the clock for water line breaks, sewer alarms and backups.
• Permits for rebuilding walls, floors or framing come from the City of Port St. Lucie Building Department, 772-871-5132.
• Flood insurance: the city notes that homeowners and renters policies don't cover flooding. Because of the city's Class 5 rating in FEMA's Community Rating System, flood insurance costs 25 percent less in high-risk zones and 10 percent less elsewhere.

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 Port St. Lucie.
3. You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.

Main Street Services 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 Port St. Lucie

Neighborhoods and planned communities in Port St. Lucie include Tradition, St. Lucie West, Torino, Sandpiper Bay, Southbend Lakes, Floresta Gardens, Becker Ridge, Morningside, Lyngate, Sawgrass Lakes, Whispering Pines, Woodland Trails and Canal Pointe, along with Southern Grove, Western Grove, Riverland, Wilson Groves, LTC Ranch and Verano.

ZIP codes in and around the city: 34952, 34953, 34983, 34984, 34986 and 34987. Parts of 34952 and 34987 fall outside city limits.

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 Port St. Lucie. Main Street Services connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.