Summers here are very hot and dry, with August highs averaging close to 97 degrees, and the valley's 11.75 inches of yearly rain mostly comes in January and February. Housing reflects two growth waves: mobile home parks and retirement communities in the 1960s, then single-family subdivisions on former ranchland in the 1980s. Riverside County shows up in ten federal disaster declarations since 2000, including Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023.
Fire & Water Energy handles referrals only; nobody from our company comes to your door. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to find an independent restoration contractor working in Hemet, depending on local availability. The referral disclosure page has the full explanation.
Mountain-ringed valley weather
On the San Jacinto River, Hemet Dam was finished in 1895 and created Lake Hemet, an early sign of how much the valley has always depended on managing water. On the valley floor, rain falls on about 33 days a year, and June typically sees almost none. Temperatures have reached 116 degrees in August and dropped to 21 in December.
County-level FEMA declarations cover a mix of hazards: wildfires in 2003, 2007 and 2008; severe winter storms with flooding, mud and debris flows in 2005, 2010, 2011, 2017 and 2019; and Tropical Storm Hilary in 2023 (DR-4750). Storms that drop heavy rain on the surrounding slopes send runoff down toward the valley.
Manufactured homes, older plumbing and water damage repair
Many mobile and manufactured homes from the 1960s and later have plumbing running beneath the floor, inside a belly wrap or skirting, where a leak can soak insulation and subfloor long before anyone notices. Older water heaters, plastic supply lines and roof seams on these homes are frequent trouble spots. Subdivision houses from the 1980s are now reaching the age when original water heaters, supply hoses and roofs fail.
Anyone looking for water damage restoration in Hemet should ask whether the contractor has experience with manufactured homes, since drying under the floor takes different access and equipment. See our pages on water damage repair and structural drying for how the work usually proceeds.
Federal disaster declarations that included Riverside County
FEMA records show Riverside County was included in 10 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (4 severe storm, 3 fire, 2 flood, 1 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Hemet was affected. The most recent:
- 2023 – Tropical Storm Hilary (DR-4750)
- 2019 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4431)
- 2017 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (DR-4305)
- 2011 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (DR-1952)
- 2010 – Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Debris and Mud Flows (DR-1884)
- 2008 – Wildfires (DR-1810)
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 Hemet?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Hemet property.
Fire and smoke risks in a hot, dry valley
Very hot summers dry out brush in the hills that surround the valley, and Riverside County's wildfire declarations show how often fire touches the region. Manufactured homes can be heavily damaged by fire in a short time, and smoke odor penetrates their thin wall panels and ceilings. After a fire, contractors commonly secure the site, haul out debris, dry suppression water and clean soot from surfaces and ductwork.
Learn about fire damage cleanup and smoke damage cleanup.
Runoff from the hills and storm cleanup
When winter storms or tropical remnants dump rain on the San Jacinto Mountains and Santa Rosa Hills, water and mud flow down into the valley quickly, and street drainage can be overwhelmed. Floodwater that reaches a home is treated as contaminated; carpet, insulation and the lower part of walls are usually removed. Under manufactured homes, wet insulation in the belly is often pulled out and replaced.
Wind can also lift roofing and skirting. Muddy ground-level water is the subject of flood cleanup; rain blown in through damaged roofing is covered by storm water damage restoration.
Mold under floors and inside walls
The valley's dry air hides a problem: leaks beneath a floor or behind a panel stay damp in enclosed spaces and can grow mold for weeks unnoticed. Musty odors, soft flooring or stains along the base of walls are warning signs. EPA guidance recommends professional remediation, with containment and HEPA filtration, for areas larger than about 10 square feet. See mold remediation.
Safety first for Hemet residents
- Call 911 for fire, a gas odor, sparking wires or anyone injured.
- Stay out of a manufactured home with a sagging floor or water near the electrical panel until it's checked.
- Get county warnings on your phone by enrolling in Alert RivCo, offered by the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.
- Take photos of all damage, including under the home if it's safe to look, and save receipts.
- Call your insurance company or agent to learn what's covered; flood damage typically needs its own policy.
Hemet residents can call (866) 937-3230 to look for an independent restoration contractor. More areas are listed on our California service areas page.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Hemet that callers often mention include:
- Downtown
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Hemet):
Hemet restoration FAQs
How do I know if my manufactured home in Hemet has a hidden leak?
Watch for soft spots in the floor, a rising water bill, musty smells or water dripping from the skirting. A contractor can check moisture under the home and inspect the belly wrap and insulation.
When does Hemet usually get rain?
Most of the 11.75 inches of annual rain falls in winter, with February and January the wettest months. Tropical remnants such as Hilary in 2023 can bring rare summer storms.
Did Tropical Storm Hilary lead to federal aid for Riverside County?
Yes. FEMA declared a major disaster for Tropical Storm Hilary (DR-4750) covering Riverside County. Keep photos and repair records if your property was damaged in a declared event.
Is wildfire smoke a concern in the San Jacinto Valley?
Riverside County has had several federal wildfire declarations, and smoke can reach the valley from fires in the surrounding hills and mountains. Keep windows closed and change HVAC filters during smoky periods.
Is Fire & Water Energy located in Hemet?
No. Nobody on our side lives or works in the valley; we try to connect callers with independent restoration companies serving the San Jacinto Valley.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Repair
- Structural Drying
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Mold Remediation