Levi Ruggles laid out Florence in 1866 on the south bank of the Gila River, betting on the farmland the river could water. More than 150 years later it is the Pinal County seat, with a National Register historic district downtown, several state and federal prison complexes, and a large master-planned Anthem community about six miles northwest of the old townsite. Its roughly 26,800 residents, a count that includes the prison population, live in some of the oldest and some of the newest housing in the county.
The Restoration Job connects callers with independent restoration providers that work in Florence. The call is free and the line, (888) 317-9980, is open 24/7. The company you are connected with handles the inspection, estimate and repairs directly with you, since we are a referral service and not a contractor.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Florence. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Living Beside a River That Is Usually Dry
Most of the year the Gila near Florence carries little or nothing past town. The majority of its water is diverted at the Ashurst-Hayden Diversion Dam just upstream for irrigation, and Coolidge Dam far to the east holds back San Carlos Lake. That arrangement can fail to contain truly large events. In January 1993, heavy winter rain filled San Carlos Lake to capacity and forced record releases of about 32,700 cubic feet per second, roughly seven times the expected maximum, down the Gila. A 1993 flood also breached Gillespie Dam far downstream.
Big river flows like that are rare. For most homes in town, the more frequent threat is local: monsoon cloudbursts and winter storms dumping rain faster than yards and streets can drain. Annual precipitation averages about 10 inches, concentrated in July and August and again in December, so water problems here are not strictly a summer issue.
The Florence Townsite Historic District
The Florence Townsite Historic District, roughly bounded by Third and Florence Streets and Butte and Central Avenues, holds more than 25 buildings listed on the National Register, including the 1876 first Pinal County Courthouse. The building now operated as McFarland State Historic Park dates to 1878. The town has a Historic District Advisory Commission, so exterior changes to a listed property may need approval from the town.
Historic buildings respond to water differently than modern construction. Older walls, floors and trim often need slower, monitored drying, and removal should be the last option rather than the first. Before any demolition, photograph the original materials and ask the restoration provider how they plan to protect them. If repairs touch the exterior, check with the town before work begins.
Leaks in Anthem and Other Newer Neighborhoods
Florence's Anthem development, built by Pulte and Del Webb as the second Anthem community in Arizona, adds thousands of slab-on-grade homes with typical modern plumbing. The losses there tend to be ordinary but costly:
- A garage water heater failing and soaking an adjoining wall
- An ice-maker or washer hose bursting while the house is empty
- Monsoon wind lifting roof tiles, followed by rain through the underlayment
- An AC condensate overflow staining the ceiling in late summer
Fast water damage restoration after one of these usually means extracting water within the first day and keeping drying equipment running until meter readings return to normal.
Cleaning Up After Outside Water Gets In
When runoff from a storm comes into a house, it brings soil and whatever it picked up along the way. That changes the job. A restoration crew handling flood cleanup will typically remove saturated carpet and pad, cut wet drywall above the water line, clean and sanitize the framing and slab, and only then start drying. Hard flooring and cabinets are evaluated case by case.
Pinal County offers sandbags and sand to residents; bring a shovel, and the limit is 25 bags per household. Placed at garage doors and low thresholds before a storm, they keep shallow flows out. The Town of Florence administers floodplain regulations locally, and FEMA's Flood Map Service Center shows the mapped zone for any address.
Mold Risk in Monsoon and Winter Storms
Two rainy periods mean mold can start in two seasons. In summer, humid air slows drying; in winter, cooler temperatures do the same in closed-up rooms. Either way, drywall, insulation and wood that stay wet for several days can begin to support growth. Musty odors, darkened baseboards or peeling paint near the floor are signs to have the area tested with a moisture meter before it is covered over.
Neighborhoods and Nearby Communities
Calls come in from across Florence, including:
- Florence Townsite Historic District
- Anthem
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Common Questions
Does the Gila River flood homes in Florence?
Usually the Gila is dry or nearly dry at Florence because most of its flow is diverted upstream. Very large events can still send water down the channel, as the record releases from Coolidge Dam in January 1993 showed. Check your address on FEMA's flood map; if it is near the river or in a mapped zone, flood insurance is worth discussing with an agent.
My home is in the historic district. Can water-damaged materials just be replaced?
Sometimes, but drying original materials in place is often possible and preferable. Ask the restoration provider to photograph everything before removal and explain the drying plan. Because Florence has a Historic District Advisory Commission, exterior repairs to a listed property may need town approval, so check before replacing windows, doors or roofing.
Does Florence get water damage outside of monsoon season?
Yes. Florence averages about 10 inches of precipitation a year, with a second peak in December from winter storms. Slow, steady winter rain can find roof and window flaws that summer storms miss, and indoor plumbing failures happen year-round. Call (888) 317-9980 any time to be connected with an independent provider serving Florence.