The Calhoun County seat since 1899, Anniston still has Victorian-style houses near the historic Noble Street commercial core, and much of the former Fort McClellan lies inside the city. Older plumbing, steep lots and roughly 52 inches of yearly rain all play into the kinds of damage owners see.
Fire & Water Energy only arranges referrals; it does not employ restoration technicians. Reach us at (866) 937-3230 and we will attempt to pair you with an independent restoration contractor who works in Anniston, as long as one is available. The steps behind a call are laid out under how it works, and the limits are in our referral disclosure.
Blue Mountain weather: tornadoes, hail and hard freezes
Calhoun County has been named in eight federal major disaster declarations since 2000. Two recent tornado events stand out. On March 19, 2018, the National Weather Service in Birmingham rated the Jacksonville tornado EF-3, with 150 mph winds along a path of about 34 miles, and storms that evening produced hail up to three inches across northern Central Alabama (DR-4362). On March 25, 2021, the Ohatchee–Wellington–Piedmont tornado, also EF-3, killed six people as it crossed Calhoun and Cherokee counties (DR-4596).
Hurricane remnants reach the area too, with declarations for Ivan (2004) and Zeta (2020). Rain falls on close to 119 days in an average year, adding up to about 52 inches, and the record low is −5°F, cold enough to burst pipes in unheated spaces.
Old pipes, hillside lots and other water damage sources
Many Anniston homes are decades old, and their galvanized supply lines, cast-iron drains and patched roofs are frequent sources of leaks. Houses on the slope of Blue Mountain can also see groundwater and runoff work into basements and crawl spaces after heavy rain.
Hail and high winds that crack shingles or skylights let water into attics, and frozen pipes during cold snaps are another common call for water damage restoration in Anniston. A typical contractor will isolate the leak, remove water and run structural drying equipment, then confirm with moisture readings. See burst pipe water damage for more.
Federal disaster declarations that included Calhoun County
FEMA records show Calhoun County was included in 8 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (6 severe storm, 2 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Anniston was affected. The most recent:
- 2021 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4596)
- 2020 – Hurricane Zeta (DR-4573)
- 2018 – Severe Storms and Tornadoes (DR-4362)
- 2011 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-1971)
- 2004 – Hurricane Ivan (DR-1549)
- 2003 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-1466)
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 Anniston?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Anniston property.
Fire, smoke and soot damage in older buildings
Fire is part of local history: the original Calhoun County Courthouse burned in 1931 and was rebuilt the next year. In older homes, smoke can travel through hidden voids and leave soot on surfaces far from the fire, while heaters and aging wiring are common ignition sources during cold weather.
Restoration contractors usually secure the structure, clear debris, dry areas soaked by firefighting and then clean soot and neutralize odor. Our fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup pages walk through the process. Wait until fire officials clear the building.
Cleanup after tornadoes, hail and heavy rain
After a tornado or severe hailstorm, the immediate goal is to keep further rain out of the home through tarping, boarding windows and removing trees from the roof. Interior drying and repairs follow once the building is weather-tight.
Water that pours in from outside or rises from flooded yards may be contaminated, so saturated drywall, insulation and carpet are generally discarded. Our storm damage cleanup and flood cleanup pages outline typical steps.
Mold concerns in basements and crawl spaces
Humid summers in northeast Alabama make it easy for mold to start on damp wood and drywall within a couple of days. Basements dug into hillsides and crawl spaces under older houses are common problem areas.
If growth spans more than roughly 10 square feet, EPA guidance points toward hiring trained help rather than scrubbing it yourself. A qualified mold removal contractor should explain how they will isolate the area and address the moisture causing the growth.
Safety and documentation steps for Anniston homeowners
- Leave the home and call 911 if there is fire, an injury, a gas odor or downed power lines.
- Close the main water valve to stop a leak; reach the breaker panel only if the floor is dry.
- Keep NWS Birmingham warnings and Calhoun County alerts on during severe weather.
- Photograph and video all damage before cleaning up, and save receipts.
- Speak with your insurer or agent; coverage depends on your policy.
With everyone safe, dial (866) 937-3230. Nearby Alabama coverage is summarized on our state page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Anniston):
Anniston restoration FAQs
Which recent tornadoes affected Calhoun County?
The NWS Birmingham office documented an EF-3 Jacksonville tornado on March 19, 2018 and the EF-3 Ohatchee-Wellington-Piedmont tornado on March 25, 2021, which killed six people. Neither NWS page names Anniston on the paths, but both events led to federal declarations covering the county.
Does hail cause water damage in Anniston homes?
It can. The March 2018 storms brought hail up to three inches across northern Central Alabama. Hail can crack shingles, skylights and siding, letting rain in later. Have your roof inspected after a hailstorm even if you do not see leaks yet.
Are older Anniston houses at higher risk of pipe failures?
Often, yes. Older supply lines and drains wear out, and the area's record low of 5 below zero shows hard freezes do happen. Insulate exposed pipes and replace aging lines before they fail.
Will Fire & Water Energy come out to inspect the damage?
No. Nobody from our side visits the property or handles repairs. We try to connect you with independent restoration contractors, and you choose whether to hire them. Ask about insurance, licensing where required and IICRC certification.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Structural Drying
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal
Local resources for Anniston residents
- NWS Birmingham: March 19, 2018 tornadoes
- NWS Birmingham: March 25, 2021 tornadoes
- FEMA disaster declarations