Finding water, fire and mold restoration help in Chamblee

Chamblee grew from dairy farms and a rail crossing once called Roswell Junction, incorporated in 1907, and boomed when Camp Gordon trained about 40,000 soldiers during World War I. Today the DeKalb County city spans downtown, the Buford Highway corridor, the area around DeKalb–Peachtree Airport and several postwar subdivisions added through annexations in 2010 and 2013.

For a burst line, a smoke-filled kitchen or storm damage, phone (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy works strictly as a referral service, steering callers toward an independent restoration contractor that operates in Chamblee when one is available. You can read about that on our how it works page and in the referral disclosure.

DeKalb County storms and the Nancy Creek watershed

The city sits about 1,020 feet above sea level in the rolling Piedmont north of I-85. Nancy Creek runs through the area, and the city organizes Rivers Alive cleanups along it. In early 2026, Chamblee also announced a citywide survey and assessment of its stormwater system, a sign that drainage is on the public works agenda.

FEMA major disaster declarations that covered DeKalb County since 2000 list the Severe Winter Storm of 2000, Hurricane Ivan in 2004, severe storms and tornadoes in 2008, severe storms and flooding in 2009, and Hurricane Irma in 2017. These apply to the county as a whole, not to specific Chamblee streets.

Seventy-year-old plumbing and other leak sources

Sexton Woods is known for 1950s ranches, Keswick Village was built around 1950, and Beverly Hills/Beverly Woods and Huntley Hills followed in the 1950s and early 1960s. Houses that old may still carry galvanized supply pipe, cast-iron drains or roofs that have been patched more than once. Split-levels with partly buried lower floors can also wick moisture after hard rain.

Good candidates for water damage restoration in Chamblee start with leak detection, then extraction, moisture mapping and controlled drying. Our pages on burst pipe water damage and water damage restoration walk through that sequence.

Federal disaster declarations that included DeKalb County

FEMA records show DeKalb County was included in 5 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 2 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Chamblee was affected. The most recent:

• 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4338)
• 2009 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-1858)
• 2008 – Severe Storms and Tornadoes (DR-1750)
• 2004 – Hurricane Ivan (DR-1554)
• 2000 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-1311)

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.

Smoke and soot in older homes and apartments

Older electrical systems, overloaded outlets and portable heaters during cold snaps raise fire risk in mid-century houses. In the apartment complexes along Buford Highway, smoke can travel through shared corridors and attic space into neighboring units.

Restoration firms typically board openings, remove charred material, clean soot from surfaces, and deodorize HVAC ducts and contents. More detail appears under smoke damage cleanup and fire damage restoration.

Downpours, tree limbs and storm cleanup

Heavy thunderstorms and tropical remnants such as Ivan and Irma can overwhelm local drains and drop limbs from the mature oaks and pines shading older streets. Lower-level dens and garages tend to take the first water.

Contractors doing storm damage cleanup or basement flood cleanup usually tarp roofs, pull out wet flooring and drywall, sanitize, and dry before repairs. Runoff from outside should be treated as unsanitary.

Mold prevention after the water is gone

Metro Atlanta's warm, humid summers give mold plenty of help on damp drywall, carpet backing and crawlspace framing. Check behind furniture on exterior walls and under sinks after any leak.

The EPA advises calling trained professionals when growth covers more than about 10 square feet. Proper mold remediation isolates the area, removes contaminated materials and fixes the moisture cause.

Who to contact first in Chamblee

• Call 911 for fire, injury, gas smells or anyone in danger.
• Stay away from fallen lines and shut off power at the panel only if you can reach it without standing in water.
• Sign up for city emergency notifications and use the Report a Concern tool on the City of Chamblee website for problems on public property.
• Document every damaged room and item with photos before cleanup.
• Ask your insurer about next steps; what is covered depends on your policy, and flood generally needs separate coverage.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Chamblee that callers often mention include:

• Downtown Chamblee
• Sexton Woods
• Keswick Village
• Huntley Hills
• Beverly Hills/Beverly Woods
• Clairmont Park

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

• Doraville · 1 mi
• Brookhaven · 3 mi
• Dunwoody · 4 mi
• Sandy Springs · 5 mi
• North Druid Hills · 5 mi
• Tucker · 5 mi

Restoration guides

• Burst Pipe Water Damage
• Water Damage Restoration
• Basement Flood Cleanup
• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Smoke Damage Cleanup
• Mold Remediation

Local resources for Chamblee residents

• City of Chamblee

Sources

• Wikipedia: Chamblee, Georgia
• City of Chamblee

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