The Greene County seat sits at about 1,595 feet, where winters can turn bitterly cold and summer thunderstorms build quickly over the ridges. Greene County has been included in seven FEMA disaster declarations since 2000, including Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.
No technician from Fire & Water Energy will come to your door, because our only service is matching callers with outside firms. Call (866) 937-3230, and we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration contractor serving Greeneville, depending on availability. Visit how it works or read the referral disclosure to see how calls are handled.
Twin tornadoes, deep freezes and Helene's rains
On April 27, 2011, an EF3 tornado struck the Camp Creek community south of town, killing six people, injuring about 220 and damaging or destroying more than 175 homes. Roughly two hours later a second EF3 tornado hit Horse Creek to the southeast, damaging another 60 to 65 homes and about 25 farms. Greene County's federal declaration for those storms was DR-1974.
Cold is the other extreme: the town's record low is -29 F. Greene County has been listed in severe winter storm declarations for 2015, 2023 and 2026, a flooding and landslide declaration in 2019, storms and flooding in 2001, and Tropical Storm Helene in 2024 (DR-4832). Those cover the county as a whole, not individual streets.
Burst pipes and roof leaks in Greeneville houses
When temperatures plunge, pipes in crawl spaces, unheated rooms and outside walls are the first to freeze. In older parts of town, including the Greeneville Historic District and streets around the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, original plaster, hardwood floors and aging plumbing deserve gentle handling after a leak. July is usually the wettest month, and heavy downpours expose weak flashing and clogged gutters.
A typical contractor offering water damage restoration in Greeneville will stop the leak, extract water, take moisture readings and dry walls and floors with dehumidifiers and air movers. Our articles on burst pipe water damage and water damage restoration explain more.
Federal disaster declarations that included Greene County
FEMA records show Greene County was included in 7 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 winter storm, 2 severe storm, 1 tropical storm, 1 flood, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Greeneville was affected. The most recent:
- 2026 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4898)
- 2024 – Tropical Storm Helene (DR-4832)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4691)
- 2019 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4427)
- 2015 – Severe Winter Storm and Flooding (DR-4211)
- 2011 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Associated Flooding (DR-1974)
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 Greeneville?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Greeneville property.
Fire, soot and smoke odor recovery
Cold winters keep wood stoves, fireplaces and space heaters busy, and historic homes may have older wiring. A small fire can still leave soot on every wall and an odor that clings to carpets, curtains and attic insulation.
Fire restoration contractors commonly remove debris, dry out the water used in firefighting, clean soot with specialized products, and treat smoke odor in the air handling system before repairs. More is available on fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal.
Storm debris, creek flooding and tropical rain
The Nolichucky and creeks like Richland Creek and Big Limestone Creek drain the surrounding valleys, and remnant tropical systems such as Helene can bring long soaking rains to the whole region. Spring storms add the risk of tornadoes and straight-line winds that drop trees on roofs and barns.
Treat any outside water entering your home as contaminated. A qualified restoration company will typically tarp roofs, remove debris, extract water, discard soaked insulation and drywall, disinfect and dry. See storm damage cleanup and flood damage restoration for how that works.
Mold control after wet weather
With measurable precipitation on about 140 days a year, damp crawl spaces and basements are common, and mold can follow any leak that isn't dried promptly. Musty odors, dark spots on drywall and warped trim are early signs.
The EPA notes that mold under about 10 square feet is usually a homeowner job. Larger or hidden growth, and any mold after floodwater, should be handled by a remediation professional using containment and HEPA filtration. Learn about mold remediation.
What to do first in Greeneville
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas leaks or anyone trapped after a storm.
- Stay away from downed wires and damaged trees.
- During a hard freeze, know where your main water shutoff is and how to close it.
- Record damage with photos and video before cleanup or repairs.
- Reach out to your insurer or agent; coverage depends on your policy, and flood damage often requires separate flood insurance.
Next, call (866) 937-3230 or see our Tennessee locations.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Greeneville that callers often mention include:
- Buckingham Heights
- Cherrydale
- Emerald Point
- Oak Hills
- Windy Hills
- Harrison Hills
- South Greene
- Vestal Heights
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Greeneville):
- Morristown · 26 mi
- Johnson City · 29 mi
- Kingsport · 31 mi
- Bloomingdale · 35 mi
- Elizabethton · 37 mi
- Jefferson City · 37 mi
Greeneville restoration FAQs
What happened in the April 2011 tornadoes near Greeneville?
Two EF3 tornadoes struck Greene County on April 27, 2011, one at Camp Creek south of town and one at Horse Creek to the southeast. Seven people in the county died, and hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed.
How cold does Greeneville get?
The record low is -29 F, set in January, and snowfall averages close to 8 inches a year. Insulate exposed pipes and keep cabinet doors open on outside walls during cold snaps.
Was Greene County included in the Helene disaster declaration?
Yes. FEMA declaration DR-4832 for Tropical Storm Helene in 2024 included Greene County. Check with local officials and your insurer about assistance or claims for specific properties.
Do historic homes need special restoration care?
Often, yes. Plaster walls, old-growth wood floors and original trim can be damaged by aggressive drying. Before signing anything, question the contractor about how they plan to dry plaster and hardwood without cracking or cupping it.
Is Fire & Water Energy a Greeneville restoration company?
No. We are a referral service. We try to connect callers with independent contractors serving the area; we don't do the work ourselves.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Damage Restoration
- Flood Damage Restoration
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation