Mold After a Hurricane in Florida: Who to Call
After a hurricane, dry or remove wet materials within 24–48 hours to keep mold from growing (EPA). If mold covers more than 10 square feet, Florida requires a licensed Mold Remediator to remove it, and the company that assesses it generally may not also remediate it within 12 months (ss. 468.8411, 468.8419). Verify any license at myfloridalicense.com.
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Who do I call for mold after a hurricane in Orlando?
Call in two stages. While materials are still wet, you need a restoration company to pump out water, remove soaked drywall, carpet and insulation, and start drying. Call or text CFDR at 321-420-7274 and Ryan Solberg matches you with a restoration company from CFDR's network. Ask the matched company for its arrival time before you agree to anything.
After a hurricane, restoration companies across Central Florida can be booked for days, so ask each one for a firm arrival time. See what to do when you cannot find a crew.
If mold is already growing and covers more than 10 square feet, the removal must be done by a licensed Mold Remediator. CFDR is a referral service. It does not test for or remove mold. Ask the company for its Florida license number, and look it up yourself before you sign.
While you wait: photograph everything before you move it, keep every receipt, and get standing water and soaked materials out. Florida's Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights tells you to make and document emergency repairs that prevent further damage and to keep the damaged property if feasible (s. 627.7142).
Do I call my insurer or a mold company first?
Both. Report the claim, and start drying. Citizens' HO-3 and Tower Hill's HO-3 cap fungi at $10,000; other carriers vary (Citizens comparison chart, Tower Hill form). Your own declarations page shows your limit; ask your insurer how it classifies the source of the water.
Citizens policyholder? Call Citizens first (866-411-2742); with other insurers, ask about managed-repair rules before you sign a repair contract. More on Citizens water-damage limits and the Florida insurance claim guide.
How fast does mold grow after a storm?
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth (EPA, updated Feb 18, 2026). After a hurricane that clock starts when the water arrives, not when the power returns, so ask whoever you call how soon drying can start.
Can the same company test and remove it?
Generally no: Florida bars the company that assesses mold in a home from also remediating it within 12 months (s. 468.8419). Read the rules on Florida mold law.
Who is CFDR?
Private Orlando restoration referral service, not FEMA. Call or text 321-420-7274 24/7 and Ryan Solberg matches you with a local restoration company. You pay CFDR nothing, and CFDR does not bill your insurer.
Where does CFDR match companies?
CFDR matches homes and businesses within about 90 minutes' drive of downtown Orlando: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Volusia, Polk, Brevard, Sumter and Marion counties. That covers Orlando, Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Sanford, Winter Park, Apopka, Clermont, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Daytona Beach, DeLand, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville, Leesburg, The Villages and Ocala. Tampa and Brandon are edge areas: Ryan matches them when a network company covers the address. Outside these counties, call about large commercial, multi-unit or whole-home losses.
- Orange County
- Seminole County
- Osceola County
- Lake County
- Volusia County
- Polk County
- Brevard County
- Sumter County
- Marion County
Sources
- EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home (updated Feb 18, 2026) (accessed 2026-10-13)
- Fla. Stat. s. 468.8411, mold-related services definitions
- Fla. Stat. s. 468.8419, prohibitions and penalties for mold assessors and remediators
- Fla. Stat. s. 627.7142, Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights (accessed 2026-10-13)
- Citizens HO-3 coverage comparison chart, April 2026 (fungi limit $10,000)
- Tower Hill HO-3 form TH HO-3 06 13 (fungi limit $10,000)
- Florida DBPR license lookup
- Fla. Stat. s. 489.147, roof and insurance notice