Andrew, August 1992
Hurricane Andrew made landfall near Homestead as a Category 5 storm, destroying or badly damaging most homes in the area and devastating Homestead Air Force Base. Andrew changed how Florida builds, leading to much stricter building codes and product approval rules in South Florida. Most Homestead homes today were built or rebuilt after 1992 under those rules.
High water table, heavy rain
South Miami-Dade is low and flat, with the water table close to the surface. In the wet season and during tropical systems, the ground can't absorb more rain, and water stands in streets and yards for days. In November 2020, Tropical Storm Eta flooded parts of South Dade, including farmland and neighborhoods, for an extended period. Rain flooding is excluded from homeowners policies. Check your address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
New growth, new homes
Homestead has grown rapidly, with many new subdivisions. New construction brings first-years leaks: supply hoses, ice-maker lines, water heaters and AC condensate lines without float switches. If you're under a builder warranty, document any leak before repairs. See water damage restoration.
Hurricane-zone building rules
Broward and Miami-Dade counties are a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone under the Florida Building Code, adopted after Hurricane Andrew. Replacement roofing, windows and exterior doors generally need products approved for that zone, and permits are required for most of that work. We build those requirements into repair plans from the start. See reconstruction.
Most-requested services in Homestead
In Homestead, most of our calls fall into three groups: flood cleanup where the water table sits close to the surface; storm & hurricane damage restoration in homes rebuilt after Andrew now reaching 30 years old; and sewage cleanup on Redland properties with septic systems. Not sure which fits your situation? Call and describe what you see, or compare all 12 services.
All 12 services in Homestead
- Water Damage Restoration
- Flood Cleanup
- Burst Pipe Repair
- Ceiling & Roof Leak Repair
- Storm & Hurricane Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Structural Drying & Dehumidification
- Sewage Cleanup
- AC & HVAC Condensation Leak Damage
- Insurance Claims Assistance
- Hurricane & Flood Damage Reconstruction
- Commercial Water Damage Restoration
Homestead neighborhoods and nearby communities
These pages cover local conditions in more detail:
Homestead questions
Do you have an office in Homestead?
No. SwiftFlow's only office is in Tallahassee, and South Miami-Dade jobs are coordinated from there through our statewide response network. We'll give you an honest arrival estimate when you call.
Do you work on farm and nursery properties?
Yes. We handle water damage in homes, offices and outbuildings on agricultural properties, and coordinate with well and septic contractors where needed.