Incorporated in 1861 after the railroad came through, the town now has about 4,500 residents and 2,215 housing units. Grenada lies about 23 miles north and Greenwood about 26 miles west on U.S. 82, while Duck Hill and Vaiden are each about 11 miles away along U.S. 51.
Fire & Water Energy is not a contractor; it's a referral line. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to set you up with an independent restoration contractor working in Winona and Montgomery County. Provider availability is never guaranteed. Our referral disclosure goes over the arrangement.
The 2023 tornado and Montgomery County's weather
On March 24, 2023, the Black Hawk-Winona EF3 tornado traveled about 29 miles with a maximum width of 1,250 yards. Wikipedia reports it hit the southern outskirts of town, crossing U.S. 51 and Stafford Wells Road at EF2 strength and reaching EF3 along MS 407, where a two-story home lost most of its second floor. A tornado emergency was issued, and the storm killed three people in all.
Local climate brings about 59 inches of precipitation a year and a record low of 9 below zero. FEMA has included the county in storm-and-tornado declarations in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2025, as well as Katrina (2005), Isaac (2012), Ida (2021) and a 2026 winter storm.
Leaks, freezes and water damage repair in Winona
Storm-damaged roofs are one of the main ways water gets inside here; even a few missing shingles can let rain soak attic insulation and drywall. Cold outbreaks like the 2026 winter storm can split pipes in crawlspaces and exterior walls. Water heaters, washing machine hoses and toilet supply lines fail in any season.
For water damage restoration in Winona, a contractor typically stops the source, extracts water, checks hidden cavities with moisture meters and dries with dehumidifiers before rebuilding. The storm water damage restoration page focuses on roof breaches.
Federal disaster declarations that included Montgomery County
FEMA records show Montgomery County was included in 11 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 severe storm, 3 hurricane, 1 winter storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Winona was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4899)
- 2025 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4874)
- 2023 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4697)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4626)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4536)
- 2019 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4429)
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 Winona?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Winona property.
Fire damage and smoke cleanup
Fire is part of Winona's history: an April 1888 blaze burned 40 of the 50 businesses downtown. Today, cooking, wiring problems and heating equipment cause most home fires, and storm outages bring generator and candle risks.
Restoration contractors usually secure the structure, remove debris, dry water used by firefighters and clean soot from walls, contents and ductwork before deodorizing. For the cleaning side, see soot removal and smoke odor removal.
After the storm: tornado and flood cleanup
The 2023 tornado snapped and uprooted many large trees and heavily damaged metal buildings near town. That pattern is typical after severe storms: trees on roofs, torn siding, broken windows and rain pouring in until openings are covered. Several Montgomery County declarations also included flooding, and Hays Creek drains south toward the Big Black River.
Outdoor water is treated as contaminated, so soaked porous materials usually come out before disinfection and drying. Tarping and tree removal come first. The order of that work is laid out on our storm damage cleanup page.
Mold after roof damage or a slow leak
Homes left open to the weather after a tornado, even briefly, can develop mold in insulation and wall cavities, especially in humid spring and summer weather. A slow plumbing leak under a cabinet can do the same.
The EPA recommends professional cleanup for areas larger than about 10 square feet or growth tied to contaminated water. Containment, HEPA filtration, removal of affected materials and correcting the moisture source belong in the plan. See mold remediation.
Safety first for Winona families
- Move to an interior room on the lowest floor when a tornado warning is issued.
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or power lines down.
- After a storm, wear sturdy shoes and watch for nails, glass and weakened ceilings.
- Photograph damage, keep receipts for tarps or temporary repairs and note dates.
- Contact your insurer or agent promptly; coverage depends on the specific policy.
If you'd like help finding a contractor, call (866) 937-3230 or see the Mississippi service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Winona):
- Grenada · 20 mi
- Greenwood · 26 mi
- Kosciusko · 30 mi
- Louisville · 46 mi
- Starkville · 52 mi
- Carthage · 53 mi
Winona restoration FAQs
What part of Winona did the March 2023 tornado hit?
According to Wikipedia, it struck the southern outskirts of town, crossing U.S. 51 and Stafford Wells Road and reaching EF3 strength along MS 407. The same storm also crossed Interstate 55 in Montgomery County and eventually weakened southwest of Lodi.
My roof was repaired after the tornado. Could there still be hidden water damage?
Possibly. Rain that entered before the roof was covered can remain trapped in insulation, ceiling drywall and wall cavities. A moisture survey can find wet areas before mold or rot develops.
How cold does it get in Winona?
Winters are generally mild, but the record low is 9 below zero and FEMA declared a severe winter storm for Montgomery County in 2026. Wrapping crawlspace lines and leaving a trickle running on the coldest nights lowers the odds of a split pipe.
Will someone from Fire & Water Energy come fix my Winona house?
No. We only try to connect you with independent contractors serving the area. Before hiring, ask about insurance, any licensing that applies and a written scope of work.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Water Damage Restoration
- Soot Removal
- Smoke Odor Removal
- Mold Remediation