Guilford County has appeared in seven FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, and four of them were winter storms or ice storms. That pattern, plus humid summers and old mill-village housing, means frozen pipes, fallen limbs and hidden leaks are as likely here as flooding.
Fire & Water Energy works the phones as a referral service; the restoration itself is done by others. Call (866) 937-3230 and we'll try to reach an independent restoration company serving the Triad, with no promise one is free. Take a look at how we operate and our referral disclosure.
The Appalachian wedge, tornadoes and four-county weather
High Point is the only North Carolina city spread across four counties: Guilford, Randolph, Davidson and Forsyth. Parts of town top 1,000 feet. Wikipedia describes the "Appalachian Wedge," a cold-air pattern that can produce crippling ice storms, and notes that the winter of 1959/60 brought just over 30 inches of snow.
In March 2010 a tornado reached EF3 strength over the northern suburbs, and Hurricane Hugo in 1989 caused minor wind damage. FEMA declarations covering Guilford County include winter storms in 2000 and 2014, ice storms in 2002 and 2003, Hurricane Ivan (2004), the 2018 tornado and severe storms, and Hurricane Florence (2018).
Frozen pipes and leaks in mill-era houses
Several historic districts, including Highland Cotton Mills Village, Washington Street and Uptown Suburbs, preserve older homes whose pipes may run through uninsulated crawl spaces or exterior walls. When an ice storm knocks out power during a cold snap, those lines can freeze and split, flooding rooms once they thaw.
Searching for water damage restoration in High Point usually means a contractor will shut off the source, extract water, map moisture with meters, open up wet cavities and dry the structure. Our burst pipe water damage page explains pipe failures, and water damage repair covers rebuilding.
Federal disaster declarations that included Guilford County
FEMA records show Guilford County was included in 7 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe ice storm, 2 hurricane, 2 severe storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in High Point was affected. The most recent:
- 2018 – Hurricane Florence (DR-4393)
- 2018 – Tornado and Severe Storms (DR-4364)
- 2014 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4167)
- 2004 – Hurricane Ivan (DR-1553)
- 2003 – Ice Storm (DR-1457)
- 2002 – Severe Ice Storm (DR-1448)
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 High Point?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your High Point property.
Fire and smoke in homes and big furniture buildings
Downtown includes massive showroom buildings, such as the ten-story Southern Furniture Exhibition Building from 1921, alongside older residential streets. Upholstered furniture, foam and finished wood all produce heavy, oily smoke when they burn, which makes cleanup more involved.
For a house fire, a reputable company will usually board up, remove debris, clean soot from walls and ceilings, launder or pack out contents and deodorize. Details sit under soot removal and fire damage cleanup.
Ice-laden limbs, tornado debris and runoff
Ice storms are the signature High Point hazard: glaze builds on branches until they break onto roofs, cars and power lines, and rain then finds its way through damaged shingles. Tornadoes like the 2010 EF3 add debris and broken windows. Tropical remnants such as Ivan and Florence bring heavy rain that can overwhelm gutters and grading.
Contractors typically tarp roofs, board openings, haul debris and remove soaked insulation before drying. Our write-ups on storm damage cleanup and storm water damage restoration spell out the sequence.
Mold in crawl spaces and humid summers
Hot, humid summers let mold spread on damp wood, drywall or carpet within a couple of days. Crawl spaces under older Guilford County homes, plus attics below slow roof leaks, are where it often shows up first.
The EPA notes that homeowners can typically handle patches under about 10 square feet, while larger areas, growth in HVAC ducts, or mold after sewage or floodwater call for trained professionals using containment. More on mold removal.
High Point safety checklist after storm or fire
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or downed power lines.
- Stay away from limbs touching wires and from rooms with sagging ceilings.
- During outages in freezing weather, drip faucets and know where your main shutoff is.
- Take photos before cleanup and keep receipts.
- Call your insurer or agent; coverage depends on your policy and the cause of loss.
Reach us at (866) 937-3230 or visit North Carolina service areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around High Point that callers often mention include:
- Oakwood Historic District
- Washington Street Historic District
- West High Street Historic District
- Uptown Suburbs Historic District
- Highland Cotton Mills Village
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from High Point):
- Archdale · 3 mi
- Thomasville · 7 mi
- Kernersville · 12 mi
- Greensboro · 14 mi
- Lexington · 17 mi
- Winston-Salem · 17 mi
High Point restoration FAQs
Why are ice storms such a problem in the Triad?
A cold-air pattern called the Appalachian Wedge can trap freezing air near the ground while rain falls from above, producing ice storms. Guilford County was part of FEMA declarations for ice storms in 2002 and 2003. Ice brings down limbs and power, which can lead to roof leaks and frozen pipes.
Has a tornado hit High Point?
Yes. In March 2010 a tornado reached EF3 strength over the northern suburbs. The county was also included in a 2018 FEMA declaration for a tornado and severe storms.
My house is in a mill village district. What should I ask a contractor?
Ask how they will check for moisture in plaster, old wood floors and crawl spaces, and whether they have experience with older framing. Request written moisture readings and a scope before work begins.
Do you take calls for Archdale, Thomasville or Jamestown?
Yes, you can call about nearby communities. Whether an independent contractor can respond depends on their availability, which we can't guarantee.
Who does the cleanup if I call your number?
An independent restoration contractor, if one is available. Fire & Water Energy only makes the referral, so vet the company's credentials and pricing yourself.
Restoration guides
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Damage Repair
- Soot Removal
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal