Hurricane season dates and why plumbing belongs on your list
NOAA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management both say the Atlantic season officially begins June 1 and continues through November 30. The state says the busiest stretch is mid-August to mid-October.
Plumbing is easy to forget because it is hidden. But a storm can cut power to the water plant, flood a yard and push water into drains, and wind can break a line. A short checklist done in daylight saves a scramble in the dark.
Before the storm: a checklist you can finish in an hour
Do these when a storm is days away, not hours.
- Find your main water shutoff and turn it once to confirm it moves. A valve that has not moved in years may be stuck, and now is the time to learn that.
- Write down where each fixture shutoff is, including the water heater.
- Store drinking water. The state advises at least 7 days of food and water per person.
- Fill bathtubs and large pots for flushing if you expect an outage.
- Check your sump, yard drains and gutters for debris.
- Take photos of your plumbing, water heater label and meter for insurance records.
- Charge phones, and save our number in your contacts.
Dania Beach Storm History and Your Plumbing
The City of Dania Beach runs its own water system, so a notice usually comes from the city, not the county. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, an FPL outage at the city's water plant caused a boil notice for the area east of Anglers Avenue, as Local 10 reported. Keep water stored even if you live inland, because a plant outage can reach any address.
On April 12 to 13, 2023, a tornado touched down at a Dania Beach community and heavy flooding followed. The city declared a state of emergency, and City Hall, the beach, the pier and parks were closed, according to WSVN. Dania Beach wastewater goes to the City of Hollywood's regional plant. In November 2020, Hurricane Eta roughly doubled flow to that plant, and no overflow was reported inside Dania Beach.
On October 24, 2005, Hurricane Wilma crossed Broward with gusts of about 98 to 99 miles per hour at nearby stations, per the National Weather Service. Old trees and loose fixtures from that kind of wind can take down a service line, which is why the shutoff matters.
On February 18, 2026, a main break near SW 54th Street and 40th Avenue put 41 residents under a boil advisory. If you also own property in Davie or West Park, make the same list for that address.
- NOAA AOML and Florida Division of Emergency Management (season dates)
- CDC and Florida Department of Health (boil guidance)
- News reports from Local 10
- WSVN and CBS Miami
- NWS Miami (Wilma)
- PNNL
- Sunshine 811
Know your water shutoff and when to use it
Close the main shutoff if you are evacuating, if a pipe breaks or if floodwater is rising into the house. Doing so stops a broken line from running for hours in an empty home.
In a condo, you may have a shutoff for your own unit and a separate building valve. Ask your management office which one belongs to you. Do not close a gas valve unless you smell gas or a utility tells you to.
If you smell gas, leave on foot, call 911 from outside and then call your gas company. Do not use switches, lighters or a car engine near the area.
Water heater and drain steps that matter in a storm
Guidance from a Department of Energy lab, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, recommends strapping a water heater to wall studs against strong winds, storm surge or floodwater, and raising it at least one foot above the base flood elevation in flood-prone areas. That is guidance, not a Florida code rule, so talk to a plumber about your layout.
If floodwater reaches an electric heater or its wiring, do not touch it. A flooded gas or electric unit usually needs inspection or replacement before it is used again. Keep the breaker off until a professional has checked it.
If drains back up or toilets gurgle during heavy rain, stop using water and call us. Our burst pipe repair and water heater repair teams dispatch around the clock when roads are passable.
Boil water notices: what the official guidance says
The CDC says to bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. The Florida Department of Health says the same for drinking, cooking, ice, brushing teeth and washing dishes. If the water is cloudy, let it settle and strain it first.
After a notice ends, flush your cold taps, run the hot taps and replace water filters. Ask your water utility for guidance, because requirements can vary.
If the city gives different instructions for your address, follow them.
After the storm: safe re-entry for your plumbing
Walk the house first, look for wet walls and listen for running water. Check the meter with all water off. If it still moves, there may be a leak.
Before digging to repair a damaged line or set a fence post, call Sunshine 811. The state advises notifying at least two full business days before you dig, and weekends and holidays do not count.
Do not run the dishwasher or washing machine until you know drains flow freely. If you find a leak or a dead heater, Call (954) 697-4920 and we will dispatch around the clock.
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs and take dated photos of damage. Your insurer will want them, and policies differ on what counts as sudden and accidental.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I shut off the water before a hurricane in Dania Beach?
Close the main if you evacuate, if a pipe breaks, or if water is entering the house. If you stay, keep it open for flushing and drinking, and be ready to close it. In a condo, find out which valve is yours.
Does Dania Beach get boil water notices after storms?
It has. Irma in 2017 led to one for the area east of Anglers Avenue, and a main break in February 2026 led to an advisory for 41 residents. Ask the city for the notice that applies to your address.
How much drinking water should I store for hurricane season?
The state advises food and water for at least 7 days for each person. Store more if someone is pregnant, elderly or on medication that needs clean water.
Will my water heater survive a flood?
Often not. Water that reaches the burner, the controls or the wiring can ruin them. The PNNL guidance suggests raising the unit at least one foot above the base flood elevation where flooding is likely.
Do you answer plumbing calls during and after a storm?
Dispatch is open 24/7, but we cannot promise arrival times in dangerous weather or flooded roads. Call (954) 697-4920 and we will tell you what to do while we work out access.
Code reference: plumbing work in Florida falls under the Florida Building Code, Plumbing (8th Edition, 2023), which is based on the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC). Ask the Dania Beach Building Division whether your job needs a permit.