When the Water Comes In: Who to Call First After the Floods

Written by Joanna Lorraine Miparanum

None of us were ready for this.

The rain that settled over Sebastian, Vero Beach, and the rest of Indian River and south Brevard County this week was unlike anything most of us have ever seen here — roads underwater, yards turned to lakes, and water finding its way into homes that have never flooded before. Neighborhoods that stayed dry through past storms took on water this time. If your home is one of them, please know you are not alone in this, and this community is already showing up for each other in a big way.

We are still in the middle of it. Streets are still closed, offices (including mine) shut their doors for safety, and a lot of families are just now getting back into their homes to see what they're dealing with. If that's you, here's the most important thing to know:

The first call matters, and it needs to happen fast

If you have standing water or water damage, the first step is water remediation — getting the water out and the structure dried as quickly as possible. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours, so this is genuinely a race against the clock. Remediation companies will be absolutely slammed this week, so my best advice is to call early, call more than one, and get your name on their lists now rather than waiting until the water fully recedes.

A few quick things before and while you call:

  • Safety first. If water is near outlets or electrical panels, don't wade in. When in doubt, stay out and wait.

  • Take photos and video of everything before anything is moved or removed. Your insurance claim will need them.

  • Neighbors in the thread below gave two warnings worth repeating: consider talking to an adjuster early, and do not sign your insurance money over to a contractor. Read anything before you sign it.

  • Save every receipt — fans, pumps, hotel stays, all of it.

The list: who your neighbors are recommending

This morning, a neighbor in the Sebastian Facebook group asked for help — her dad's home in Vero Lake Estates took on a lot of water, and she needed a company that could get the water out and remove soaked carpets. Dozens of neighbors answered. These are the companies they named, in the order they kept coming up:

You can read the original post and every recommendation here: https://facebook.com/groups/1433570066672813/permalink/29815620318041075/

This list is a starting point, not the whole picture — the thread is still growing, and there are more good local companies than any one article can hold. If you have a company that helped you this week, add their name in the comments so neighbors can find them.

We're going to get through this the way we always do

This is what I love about living here. Within hours of the water rising, neighbors were checking on neighbors, sharing road updates, and answering a stranger's call for help with forty-five comments' worth of names and phone numbers.

If you're dealing with damage and don't know where to start, start with one phone call from the list above. And if you need a hand figuring out next steps for your home — an introduction, a name, someone to talk it through with — I'm here, the same as always.

Stay safe, stay off flooded roads, and take care of each other.

— Corinne King, Realtor® | Global Luxury Specialist, Coldwell Banker Paradise, Sebastian, Florida

About the Author

Corinne King, Realtor®
Serving Florida’s Treasure Coast | Coldwell Banker Paradise

With over a decade of experience in real estate—including luxury coastal homes, investment properties, and island living—Corinne blends her marketing background with a passion for helping families and investors find their place in Florida. A Sebastian local and proud mom, she believes the best part of life starts at home.


📱772-559-2456
📧Corinne.King@CBParadise.com
🌐FlCoastCollective.com

Joanna Lorraine Miparanum
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