St. Simons Island is the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles, an unincorporated community in Glynn County reached by the F.J. Torras Causeway, which opened in 1924. Most development is on the southern half of the island, which has a listed elevation of only about 10 feet, with Atlantic beaches to the east and the Glynn marshes and Intracoastal Waterway to the west.
Fire & Water Energy does not restore property; it refers island callers onward. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving St. Simons and the Brunswick area. We don't do the work, and the company you reach sets its own availability and prices. If you'd like to know more first, read how our service works and the referral disclosure.
Hurricanes, marsh and a low-lying island
Glynn County has been part of six FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, five of them tropical: Tropical Storm Frances in 2004 (DR-1560), Hurricane Matthew in 2016 (DR-4284), Hurricane Irma in 2017 (DR-4338), Hurricane Idalia in 2023 (DR-4738) and Hurricane Helene in 2024 (DR-4830). The sixth covered severe storms and tornadoes in 2008 (DR-1761).
The island's geography explains the exposure. It lies between the Altamaha River delta and St. Simons Sound, and the beaches shift constantly with tides, wind and storms. Rainfall averages about 45 inches a year and peaks in August and September, right in the heart of hurricane season, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms.
Water intrusion in island homes and condos
Housing on the island is mostly single-family homes and condominiums, and about a third of units were vacant in 2020; in 2010 more than 2,600 were counted as seasonal or occasional-use homes. That matters: a supply line or water heater that fails in an empty second home can run for days before anyone notices. In condos, a leak in one unit often travels into the ceilings and walls of the unit below.
Wind-driven rain through windows, doors and roof edges, and overflowing air conditioner drain pans in the long, humid summer, are other common causes. For water damage restoration on St. Simons, a contractor typically stops the source, extracts water, checks hidden moisture and dries the structure. Condo owners dealing with a leak from upstairs may find our ceiling water damage repair page useful, along with the broader water damage restoration overview.
Federal disaster declarations that included Glynn County
FEMA records show Glynn County was included in 6 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (5 hurricane, 1 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in St. Simons was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Hurricane Helene (DR-4830)
- 2023 – Hurricane Idalia (DR-4738)
- 2017 – Hurricane Irma (DR-4338)
- 2016 – Hurricane Matthew (DR-4284)
- 2008 – Severe Storms and Tornadoes (DR-1761)
- 2004 – Tropical Storm Frances (DR-1560)
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 St. Simons?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your St. Simons property.
Smoke and fire damage near the coast
Kitchen fires, dryer vents, grills on decks and electrical faults are typical causes of residential fires. In attached condominium buildings, smoke can spread through shared walls, attics and hallways, so neighboring units may need cleaning even when they were never in danger of burning.
A reputable fire restoration company will usually secure openings, document damage, remove debris, clean soot and treat odor in affected rooms and contents. Learn about smoke damage cleanup on our service page.
Storm surge, tidal water and hurricane cleanup
On an island this low, saltwater from storm surge or extreme tides is a serious concern, along with wind damage to roofs and fallen live oaks. Any water that comes in from outside, especially from the marsh or ocean, should be treated as contaminated and kept away from children and pets.
Contractors who handle hurricane damage cleanup and flood cleanup commonly remove soaked drywall, flooring and insulation, sanitize affected surfaces and dry the framing. Wait for officials to say it is safe before returning after an evacuation.
Humidity, closed-up houses and mold
Summer highs of 88 to 90 degrees with lows in the mid-70s keep the air warm and moist for months. A home closed up for the season, or one without power after a storm, can develop mold on drywall, cabinets and furniture surprisingly fast.
Under EPA guidance, growth spanning more than roughly 10 square feet is a job for trained remediators rather than a weekend cleanup. A qualified mold remediation contractor will contain the area, remove affected materials, clean with HEPA filtration and correct the moisture source.
Safety first on the island
- Call 911 for fire, smoke, gas odors, injuries or downed power lines.
- Register for Glynn County's CodeRED emergency notifications and follow evacuation orders for the island.
- Do not wade through floodwater; it can hide debris and carry sewage or electrical current.
- Before anything is hauled to the curb, shoot photos and video of each room, and file away receipts for tarps or fans.
- Call your insurer as soon as possible. Wind, flood and water damage are often handled under different policies, so coverage depends on yours; check with your agent.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around St. Simons that callers often mention include:
- Pier Village
- East Beach
- Frederica
- Harrington
- Gascoigne Bluff
- Hampton Point
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from St. Simons):
- Brunswick · 7 mi
- Kingsland · 31 mi
- St. Marys · 31 mi
- Hinesville · 50 mi
- Richmond Hill · 55 mi
- Waycross · 58 mi
St. Simons restoration FAQs
Does St. Simons Island get a flood insurance discount?
St. Simons is part of unincorporated Glynn County, which is a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System. According to the county, that gives residents a 25 percent discount on flood insurance premiums under the NFIP.
When is heavy rain most likely on St. Simons?
Rainfall peaks in August and September, often from afternoon thunderstorms, which also overlaps with the busiest part of hurricane season. Clean gutters and check window seals before late summer.
How do I get emergency alerts for Glynn County?
Glynn County uses the CodeRED emergency notification system, and you can register online through the county website. Alerts can include evacuation orders and severe weather warnings for the island.
I own a seasonal home on the island. Can you help while I'm away?
We can try to connect you by phone with an independent contractor serving St. Simons, but we don't inspect or manage property. Call (866) 937-3230, and arrange access and approvals directly with the company you choose.
Restoration guides
- Hurricane Damage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation