The town took its present name in 1883 and re-incorporated as Arlington in 1900. Today it is one of Shelby County's incorporated suburbs, sitting at about 282 feet with roughly 4,640 homes counted in 2020. Shelby County has been part of 18 FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, many tied to straight-line winds and winter storms.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service; it has no office or work crews in Shelby County. Ring (866) 937-3230 and we will try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving Arlington, though availability depends on local providers. Our step-by-step page and referral disclosure explain how a call is handled.
Windstorms, freezing rain and Mid-South downpours
West Tennessee storms tend to bring wind more than anything else. FEMA's Shelby County list includes Severe Storms and Straight-Line Winds twice in 2023 (DR-4729 and DR-4735), Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding in 2017 (DR-4320), three storm declarations in 2011, and the 2025 Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding declaration (DR-4878).
Ice is the other recurring threat, with Severe Winter Storm declarations in 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2026. The Memphis climate summary on Wikipedia puts yearly precipitation near 55 inches and warns that ice storms and freezing rain bring limbs down on power lines.
Indoor leaks, attic damage and frozen supply lines
Most indoor water problems in Arlington houses are mechanical: a supply hose bursts, a water heater tank rusts through, or a toilet line fails while the family is at work. Wind-lifted shingles let rain into attics and ceilings, and a multi-day ice storm with power out can freeze pipes in exterior walls.
A contractor providing water damage restoration in Arlington will commonly find the source, extract water, check hidden areas with moisture meters, and run dehumidifiers and air movers until readings are normal. Read about water damage repair, structural drying and burst pipe water damage.
Federal disaster declarations that included Shelby County
FEMA records show Shelby County was included in 18 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (14 severe storm, 2 winter storm, 2 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Arlington was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4898)
- 2025 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4878)
- 2023 – Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (DR-4735)
- 2023 – Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds (DR-4729)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4691)
- 2022 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4645)
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 Arlington?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Arlington property.
Fire restoration from Depot Square to the subdivisions
Older buildings around Depot Square and houses elsewhere in town face the same household fire hazards: cooking, heating equipment and electrical faults. Smoke particles travel through ductwork into rooms far from the flames, and the water used to fight the fire soaks drywall and subfloors.
An experienced fire restoration contractor will usually secure openings, clear debris, clean soot by surface type and treat odor in both rooms and HVAC. The fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup pages outline what that work tends to include in a Shelby County home.
Cleaning up after straight-line winds and heavy rain
Downbursts can snap trees and drop them on roofs as effectively as a weak tornado. Once a roof is open, every following rain adds to the damage, so tarping comes first. Contractors then remove wet insulation and ceiling drywall, dry the framing and plan rebuilding. If storm runoff floods a crawl space or garage, treat it as contaminated.
Northeast Shelby County homeowners can check storm damage cleanup for wind losses and flood cleanup for runoff that got inside.
Hot, humid summers and mold growth
Memphis-area summers are hot and humid, which gives mold everything it needs once drywall or carpet gets wet. The EPA's home guide recommends drying within 24 to 48 hours and says growth under roughly 10 square feet is usually manageable for a homeowner, while larger areas need professional remediation with containment. More at mold removal.
Arlington household safety checklist
- Call 911 for fires, injuries, gas odors or power lines on the ground.
- Keep clear of standing water that could be in contact with wiring.
- After declared disasters, check TEMA for state and federal assistance information.
- Record every damaged area with photos before cleanup and keep a list of ruined belongings. Coverage depends on your policy; confirm details with your insurer or agent.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Arlington):
- Lakeland · 6 mi
- Atoka · 12 mi
- Bartlett · 14 mi
- Millington · 14 mi
- Germantown · 17 mi
- Collierville · 18 mi
Arlington restoration FAQs
What kind of storms cause the most damage in Arlington?
Shelby County's FEMA declarations point to straight-line winds and severe thunderstorms, plus a run of winter storms since 2014. Fallen trees and roof damage followed by rain are common results.
How can I protect pipes during a Shelby County ice storm?
Insulate pipes in attics, garages and exterior walls, open cabinet doors on outside walls, and know where your main shutoff is. If power goes out for days, drain lines in unheated areas if you can do so safely.
Do older buildings near Depot Square need special care after water damage?
Historic materials such as plaster and old wood floors can react differently to drying than modern drywall. Ask any contractor how they plan to dry and protect older materials before work begins.
What happens when I call (866) 937-3230 from Arlington?
We gather details about the damage and try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor serving northeast Shelby County. We do not do the work ourselves, and we cannot promise a provider is available.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Repair
- Structural Drying
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Removal