Plantation is a Broward County city of about 92,000 people, bordered by Sunrise, Lauderhill, Davie and Fort Lauderdale. It began with Frederick Peters' promise of "a full acre with every home" in the late 1940s and incorporated in 1953. Today it ranges from horse properties in Plantation Acres to the newer mixed-use districts of Plantation Walk and Plantation Midtown.
Fire & Water Energy is not a contractor; we make referrals. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to link you with an independent restoration company that works in Plantation. We cannot promise timing, availability or price. More detail is on how it works and our referral disclosure.
Canals, a drained marsh and seven decades of storms
The North New River Canal opened in 1912, and the Old Plantation Water Control District was chartered in 1946 to manage drainage. Even so, the city's early years were rough: two hurricanes in September and October 1948 brought flooding and a broken dike, and home sales stopped in 1949 because of repeated flooding. Elevation is only about 9 feet.
Rain averages around 66 inches a year, with June the wettest month. Hurricane Wilma caused significant damage and outages on October 24, 2005, and FEMA has since included Broward County in declarations for Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), Dorian (2019), Ian and Nicole (2022), Milton (2024) and a 2023 severe storms, tornadoes and flooding event.
Indoor water damage in homes from the 1950s onward
Plantation's population jumped from under 5,000 in 1960 to nearly 49,000 by 1980, so a large share of homes have several decades behind them. Galvanized or early copper lines, aging water heaters and slab leaks are typical concerns, along with AC condensate backups and roof leaks during the heavy June rains.
If you are looking into water damage restoration in Plantation, ask the contractor how they handle terrazzo or tile over slab, which can trap moisture underneath. For drying after a leak is fixed, see structural drying.
Federal disaster declarations that included Broward County
FEMA records show Broward County was included in 13 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (11 hurricane, 1 flood, 1 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Plantation was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Hurricane Milton (DR-4834)
- 2023 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4709)
- 2022 – Hurricane Nicole (DR-4680)
- 2022 – Hurricane Ian (DR-4673)
- 2019 – Hurricane Dorian (DR-4468)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4337)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Plantation?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Plantation property.
Fire, smoke and gas safety
The city has seen large fires before; the 1996 blaze at Plantation Towne Mall was the biggest in its history, and a 2019 gas explosion at the Market on University plaza injured 23 people. At home, kitchen fires and electrical faults are more typical, but the cleanup issues are similar: soot, odor and water from firefighting.
A contractor offering fire damage restoration will usually secure the structure, remove debris, clean residue and deodorize. Ask whether soot removal on ceilings and HVAC components is included in their estimate.
When canals rise and streets flood
Heavy tropical rain can fill canals and swales faster than pumps and control structures can move water out, leaving yards and garages underwater. Any water that crosses the ground before entering the house is considered contaminated.
Look for flood cleanup providers that will extract water, cut away wet drywall and disinfect. If wind damaged the roof, storm damage cleanup may include tarping and debris removal.
Mold and the South Florida wet season
With summer highs near 90 degrees and frequent rain, wet materials can grow mold in a day or two. Closets on exterior walls, bathrooms and the area around air handlers are common trouble spots.
The EPA recommends professional help for mold larger than roughly 10 square feet. A good mold removal plan explains containment, removal and the repair that stops the moisture.
Safety-first checklist for Plantation residents
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, downed wires or any smell of gas, and leave the building.
- Review shelters and evacuation guidance on Broward County's hurricane page.
- Do not run fans or vacuums in standing water.
- Document damage room by room before cleanup and keep receipts.
- Ask your insurer how your policy treats flood versus leak damage; terms vary.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Plantation that callers often mention include:
- Plantation Acres
- Melaleuca Isles
- Jacaranda
- Plantation Preserve
- Plantation Walk
- Plantation Midtown
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Plantation):
- Lauderhill · 1 mi
- Lauderdale Lakes · 3 mi
- Davie · 5 mi
- Tamarac · 6 mi
- Fort Lauderdale · 6 mi
- North Lauderdale · 6 mi
Plantation restoration FAQs
Why does Plantation have so many canals?
The land was Everglades marsh that was regularly under water until drainage canals were dug. The North New River Canal opened in 1912, and the Old Plantation Water Control District was created in 1946 to oversee secondary canals. Those canals still carry stormwater away from neighborhoods.
Do horse properties in Plantation Acres need a different kind of contractor?
Barns, stables and outbuildings can need cleanup and drying just like a house. When you call (866) 937-3230, mention any outbuildings so we can try to find an independent contractor who handles them.
What should I do if I smell gas after a storm?
Leave the building right away without switching lights or appliances on or off, then call 911 from a safe distance. Do not return until the gas company or fire department says it is safe.
Has Plantation flooded in the past?
Yes. Two 1948 hurricanes caused flooding and a dike break, and repeated flooding halted home sales in 1949. Broward County was also part of a 2023 federal disaster declaration for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Restoration
- Structural Drying
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Removal