Clarkston residents: help with water, fire and mold cleanup

Clarkston was incorporated in 1882 with limits drawn as a half-mile circle around the Georgia Railroad depot, and it was named for railroad official W. W. Clark. Since the 1990s, refugee resettlement has turned it into what many call "the most diverse square mile in America." The population nearly doubled between 2010 and 2020 to about 14,800, packed into less than 2 square miles at roughly 1,020 feet on the Eastern Continental Divide.

Whether you own or rent, if water, smoke or mold has damaged your home, call (866) 937-3230. We are a referral service and will try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving Clarkston; we don't perform the work, and the contractor sets its own schedule and pricing. Learn how the referral process works and read our referral disclosure.

DeKalb County's disaster declarations and local runoff

DeKalb County has been named in five FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000: a severe winter storm in 2000 (DR-1311), Hurricane Ivan in 2004 (DR-1554), severe storms and tornadoes in 2008 (DR-1750), severe storms and flooding in 2009 (DR-1858) and Hurricane Irma in 2017 (DR-4338). These declarations cover the whole county, not particular Clarkston blocks, but they reflect the region's mix of ice, tornadoes and tropical rain.

The city's stormwater program explains a more local concern: in built-up areas, asphalt and concrete produce more runoff than open land, and that runoff can grow large enough to cause flooding and erosion from fast-moving water. Clarkston operates under a 2024 MS4 stormwater management program to handle it.

Leaks that spread between homes

Clarkston holds close to 8,000 people per square mile. If your home shares walls, floors or ceilings with neighbors, a failed water heater, overflowing tub or cracked supply line in one home can quickly reach another. Air conditioner drain lines, dishwasher connections and washing machine hoses are other routine culprits, and pipes along exterior walls can split during an ice storm.

If you rent, tell your landlord or property manager right away and photograph the damage. A contractor handling water damage restoration in Clarkston will typically stop the source, extract water, map moisture and dry the affected rooms. When water comes through from the unit above, our ceiling water damage repair page helps, and water extraction explains removing standing water.

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 Clarkston 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 that travels through shared buildings

Cooking is a leading cause of home fires, followed by heating equipment, electrical problems and dryers. In attached housing, such as duplexes, townhomes or apartment buildings, smoke and soot can move through hallways, attics and ventilation into units that never saw flames, and odor can linger in clothing, bedding and upholstery.

A reputable restoration company will usually secure the area, remove debris, clean soot from surfaces and belongings and use air filtration or other methods to treat odor. Our smoke damage cleanup guide covers shared-building situations, and fire damage cleanup walks through debris removal.

Storm cleanup when rain and wind hit

Severe storms and tornadoes like those in 2008 and long tropical rains like Ivan and Irma can drop trees on roofs, break windows and overload gutters and drains. Water that pools against foundations or flows down sloped lots can seep into lower levels.

Assume that water from outside is contaminated, and keep kids away from it. Contractors providing storm damage cleanup commonly tarp roofs, remove wet drywall and flooring and dry the structure before repairs.

Damp rooms and mold growth

Metro Atlanta's humid summers mean wet materials can start growing mold in a day or two. Bathrooms without good ventilation, closets on exterior walls and areas under sinks are frequent trouble spots, especially where a slow leak has gone unreported.

EPA guidance says mold over about 10 square feet should generally be handled by a trained professional. A qualified mold remediation contractor will contain the area, remove damaged materials, run HEPA filtration and correct the moisture source. Renters should report mold to the property owner in writing.

Practical steps for Clarkston households

• Call 911 for fire, smoke, gas smells, injuries or downed power lines.
• Shut off water at the fixture or main valve if you can do so safely, and avoid wet outlets and cords.
• Report blocked storm drains or drainage problems with the city's Report a Concern form, and sign up for city notifications.
• Snap pictures of stained ceilings, wet carpet and damaged belongings while they are still in place, and keep receipts for anything you buy.
• Contact your insurer, or your renter's insurance company if you rent. Coverage depends on your policy, so confirm with your agent.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

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

• Scottdale · 2 mi
• Tucker · 3 mi
• North Decatur · 4 mi
• Decatur · 4 mi
• Belvedere Park · 4 mi
• North Druid Hills · 4 mi

Restoration guides

• Water Extraction
• Ceiling Water Damage Repair
• Smoke Damage Cleanup
• Fire Damage Cleanup
• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Mold Remediation

Local resources for Clarkston residents

• City of Clarkston
• City of Clarkston Stormwater
• City of Clarkston Report a Concern

Sources

• Wikipedia: Clarkston, Georgia
• City of Clarkston official website
• City of Clarkston: Stormwater

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