Helene, then Milton
Helene passed well offshore in late September 2024, but its surge flooded Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key and low bayfront neighborhoods. Two weeks later, Milton came ashore near Siesta Key as a major hurricane. Its surge was lower along Sarasota's coast than feared, because the storm's strongest onshore winds were to the south, but its winds damaged roofs across the county and its rain flooded inland neighborhoods and creeks. Many homes took damage from both storms.
Inland flooding is real here too
Sarasota County's creeks, including Phillippi Creek, drain large inland areas to the bay. In heavy rain, they rise fast and back up into low neighborhoods. Farther south, the Myakka River flooded North Port and surrounding areas for weeks after Hurricane Ian in 2022. Rain flooding is excluded from standard homeowners policies, just like surge. Check your address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
The 50 percent rule
After Helene and Milton, many Sarasota-area homeowners learned about the FEMA 50 percent rule the hard way. In a flood zone, if repair costs reach half of a building's market value, local officials can require the whole structure to meet current floodplain rules, which can mean elevating it. Get your local building department involved early, before repair plans are set. See hurricane and flood damage reconstruction.
Seasonal homes and condos
A large share of Sarasota-area homes and condos belong to seasonal residents. A leak in an empty home, or humidity building up with the AC off after a storm, can go unnoticed for weeks. We work with property managers and building staff and document everything for owners who are out of state. See mold remediation.
Most-requested services in Sarasota
In Sarasota, most of our calls fall into three groups: storm & hurricane damage restoration since Milton came ashore near Siesta Key; mold remediation in seasonal homes closed up for the summer; and hurricane & flood damage reconstruction on the keys and low bayfront streets. Not sure which fits your situation? Call and describe what you see, or compare all 12 services.
All 12 services in Sarasota
- 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
Sarasota neighborhoods and nearby communities
These pages cover local conditions in more detail:
Sarasota questions
Do you have an office in Sarasota?
No. SwiftFlow's only office is in Tallahassee, and Sarasota County jobs are coordinated from there through our statewide response network. We'll give you an honest arrival estimate when you call.
My home was damaged by both Helene and Milton. What should I do?
Document the damage from each storm separately if you can, with dates and photos. Each storm is typically a separate claim. Our records note dates and readings so adjusters can see what happened when.
Do you work in Manatee County too?
Yes. Lakewood Ranch and Longboat Key both span Sarasota and Manatee counties, and we work across both. Permits and building rules depend on which county your address is in.