The founders laid out the first streets on a hill above the Cumberland to keep clear of high water, but the river towns of Montgomery County still deal with flash flooding, damaging wind and tornadoes. The county has appeared in 13 FEMA major disaster declarations since 2000, more than most of Middle Tennessee.
We are Fire & Water Energy, a referral line rather than a repair company. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor who serves Clarksville and the surrounding county, subject to availability. To see how a call from a Fort Campbell-area home gets handled, read how it works and the referral disclosure.
Tornado alley on the Cumberland: Montgomery County's record
Wikipedia recounts a string of destructive storms. An F3 tornado devastated downtown in January 1999, an EF2 struck the east side in February 2018, and an EF3 tore through North Clarksville in December 2023, killing four people and cutting power to more than 20,000. A May 2024 outbreak brought flash flooding and golf-ball-sized hail, and the May 2010 floods damaged the city as well.
Rain averages about 53.5 inches a year, with May the wettest month. Winters can bite: the record low is -20 F and snowfall averages a little over 7 inches. FEMA declarations for the county include a 2009 Severe Winter Storm and Flooding event (DR-1821), the 2010 storms and flooding (DR-1909), Severe Storms and Tornadoes in 2023 (DR-4751), a 2025 storm and flooding declaration (DR-4878) and the 2026 winter storm (DR-4898).
Indoor water problems around Clarksville homes
Heavy spring downpours test gutters, sump pumps and roof flashing, and hail can crack shingles that start leaking weeks later. Cold snaps put pipes in crawl spaces and garages at risk of splitting. Many households near Fort Campbell move often, so a rental or newly bought home may have plumbing quirks the occupants have not learned yet.
A sound plan for water damage restoration in Clarksville starts with stopping the source, then mapping moisture with meters, extracting water and drying the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers. Learn more: water damage restoration, burst pipe water damage and ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Montgomery County
FEMA records show Montgomery County was included in 13 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (11 severe storm, 1 winter storm, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Clarksville was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4898)
- 2025 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4878)
- 2024 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4792)
- 2023 – Severe Storms and Tornadoes (DR-4751)
- 2023 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado (DR-4712)
- 2019 – Severe Storm and Straight-line Winds (DR-4471)
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 Clarksville?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Clarksville property.
Fire and smoke damage, from 1878 to today
The city knows fire well. The Great Fire of 1878 consumed 15 acres of the downtown business district, courthouse included. Modern house fires are smaller but still leave soot on every surface, acidic residue on metal and electronics, and smoke odor in insulation and HVAC ducts.
Contractors generally secure the structure, haul out debris, clean soot with dry sponges and HEPA vacuums, and deodorize. Firefighting water often needs its own drying plan. Further detail: fire damage cleanup and soot removal.
Red River, Cumberland and flash flood cleanup
Floodwater from rivers, creeks or overwhelmed storm drains is classed as contaminated and should not be handled bare-handed. Drywall, carpet pad and insulation that soak it up generally have to be removed. Tornado damage adds broken roofs, shattered windows and trees on houses, and every hour of open roof lets in more rain.
Expect a restoration crew to tarp, board up, pump out, tear out wet materials, sanitize and dry. Montgomery County residents can find more on flood damage restoration and storm damage cleanup.
Mold growth after Middle Tennessee leaks
Humid summers give mold an easy start after a roof leak, a flooded crawl space or wet carpet left too long. Watch for staining, a musty smell or peeling paint along baseboards.
EPA guidance treats patches under about 10 square feet as something a careful homeowner can usually clean; bigger growth, hidden growth in walls, or mold after floodwater should go to a trained remediation professional. See mold removal.
Safety checklist for Clarksville residents
- Call 911 for fires, injuries, gas odors or people trapped by debris.
- Pay attention to the county's outdoor warning sirens and take shelter when they sound.
- Shut off power at the breaker only if you can reach it from a dry spot.
- Take dated photos and video of all damage, inside and out, before cleanup.
- Contact your insurer or agent to learn what your policy covers; standard homeowners policies often exclude flood.
The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency offers a storm shelter registry and CERT training. When you are safe, call (866) 937-3230, or see our Tennessee coverage.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Clarksville that callers often mention include:
- Downtown
- North Clarksville
- Saint Bethlehem
- New Providence
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Clarksville):
- Springfield · 26 mi
- Dickson · 31 mi
- Goodlettsville · 39 mi
- White House · 40 mi
- Fairview · 40 mi
- Nashville · 41 mi
Clarksville restoration FAQs
When is severe weather most likely in Clarksville?
Spring is the peak, and May is also the wettest month on average. But the destructive tornadoes of January 1999 and December 2023 show that winter storms can be just as dangerous here. Keep a weather radio or phone alerts on year-round.
What does Montgomery County EMA offer homeowners?
The agency maintains a warning siren system, a storm shelter registry and Community Emergency Response Team training, and it maintains a hazard mitigation plan covering the city. Its website links to family emergency kit guidance.
Does the Cumberland River flood Clarksville neighborhoods?
The city sits on the Cumberland and Red rivers, and the May 2010 floods damaged parts of town. Flood risk varies by lot, so check flood maps and talk with your agent about separate flood coverage.
Does Fire & Water Energy employ restoration crews?
No. Our role ends once we pass a Clarksville caller along to an independent contractor. Ask any contractor about Tennessee licensing requirements, proof of insurance and a written estimate before signing.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Restoration
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal