Selma tornado, water and fire damage restoration help

Older houses, hot humid summers and a steady stream of severe weather make for a particular mix of restoration needs. Dallas County appears in ten federal major disaster declarations since 2000, including Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, Isaac, Nate and Zeta and the 2023 storm and tornado declaration (DR-4684).

Fire & Water Energy works only as a referral line; independent companies do the actual work. Phone (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to reach an independent restoration contractor willing to take jobs in Selma, depending on who is available. More on our referral disclosure page.

The Alabama River, the 2023 tornado and Black Belt weather

The city lies at about 118 feet on the banks of the Alabama River. Normals for 1991 to 2020 show about 54.5 inches of rain a year and July highs averaging 93 degrees, while snow is rare. The record low of -5 degrees is a reminder that hard freezes still happen.

The National Weather Service rated the January 12, 2023 tornado a high-end EF-2 with winds near 130 mph and a path more than 23 miles long. It entered the city nearly parallel to W Dallas Ave, collapsed parts of a daycare roof (more than 70 children and staff escaped injury), stripped a strip mall where Broad Street crosses the railroad, and destroyed two older houses on brick pilings near Minter Street. Two people were hurt. Earlier, federal declarations covered storms and flooding in 2020 (DR-4546) and the April 2011 outbreak.

Historic houses and everyday water damage repair

With more than 1,250 contributing structures in its historic district, the city has many homes raised on piers or pilings with open crawl spaces beneath. That design helps with airflow, but it also exposes supply lines to cold air during a rare deep freeze and lets moisture build up under floors after a leak.

Roof leaks from wind-driven rain, overflowing AC condensate lines and failing water heaters are common in this climate. A reputable company offering water damage repair or water damage restoration in Selma will usually confirm the source, extract standing water, and dry framing and subfloor while tracking moisture. Our water damage repair and burst pipe water damage pages explain more.

Federal disaster declarations that included Dallas County

FEMA records show Dallas County was included in 10 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (5 severe storm, 5 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Selma was affected. The most recent:

• 2023 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4684)
• 2020 – Hurricane Zeta (DR-4573)
• 2020 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4546)
• 2017 – Hurricane Nate (DR-4349)
• 2012 – Hurricane Isaac (DR-4082)
• 2011 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-1971)

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.

Fire, smoke and soot in older wood-frame buildings

Fire has shaped the city before: Union troops burned many homes and businesses after the Battle of Selma in 1865. Today, older wiring, space heaters and kitchen accidents are more typical causes, and in a wood-frame house on pilings smoke can move quickly through walls and attic space.

Contractors commonly secure the property, remove charred debris, dry out water from firefighting, then clean soot and treat odor. Historic plaster and woodwork may call for slower, gentler cleaning, as our fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal overviews describe.

Storm debris, roof damage and river-country flooding

The 2023 tornado showed how quickly roofs, walls and large hardwood trees can fail. After wind damage, the usual order is to tarp or board openings, clear fallen trees, and then remove water before mold starts.

Heavy rain from tropical systems and spring storms can also send water into low streets, yards and crawl spaces. Any water entering from outside should be considered contaminated, and soaked porous materials are typically removed. Learn what's involved with storm damage cleanup and hurricane damage cleanup.

Black Belt humidity and how mold spreads

Long, hot summers with high humidity mean wet wood and drywall rarely dry on their own. Crawl spaces under raised homes, closets and areas behind furniture are where mold usually shows up first.

EPA guidance points to professional cleanup for mold covering over about 10 square feet or any growth linked to flood or sewage water. Contractors typically isolate the area, filter the air and remove what cannot be cleaned. Read about mold remediation.

Safety priorities for Selma families

• Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas leaks or downed power lines, and stay out of buildings with roof or wall damage.
• Get warnings and county EMA contacts through the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, and follow the National Weather Service Birmingham office during storms.
• Shut off water and, if safe, electricity to wet areas.
• Take photos of each room and of damaged trees and roofs before cleanup.
• Ask your insurer or agent about coverage; wind and flood are often handled separately.

Then call (866) 937-3230, or see Alabama service areas.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Selma that callers often mention include:

• Old Town Historic District
• Historic Water Avenue

Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Selma):

• Prattville · 33 mi
• Clanton · 38 mi
• Millbrook · 39 mi
• Montgomery · 42 mi
• Calera · 51 mi
• Alabaster · 59 mi

Restoration guides

• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Water Damage Repair
• Burst Pipe Water Damage
• Fire Damage Cleanup
• Hurricane Damage Cleanup
• Mold Remediation

Local resources for Selma residents

• NWS Birmingham: January 12, 2023 tornado
• Alabama Emergency Management Agency
• FEMA disaster declarations

Sources

• Wikipedia: Selma, Alabama
• NWS Birmingham event summary, January 12, 2023

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