Founded at a railroad junction in the 1850s and now home to the 50-acre Discovery Park of America, this northwest Tennessee city sits at about 338 feet in rolling farm country. The Obion River crosses the county, and Reelfoot Lake, formed by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811, lies within its borders.
Fire & Water Energy is a phone-based referral service; it does not inspect, clean or rebuild anything. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to reach an independent restoration contractor who covers Union City, when one is available. Our how-it-works page and referral disclosure lay out exactly what we do.
Obion County extremes: heat, cold, storms and floods
Wikipedia's climate table for the city shows about 53.8 inches of precipitation a year, with May averaging roughly 5.6 inches, and close to 6 inches of snow annually. The temperature records of -22 F in January and 111 F in August mark a wide swing for a single location.
FEMA major disaster declarations for Obion County since 2000 cover severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2000, 2003, 2010, 2011, 2019, 2020 and 2025; tornado events in 2022 and 2023; winter storms with flooding in 2009 and 2015; and the 2026 severe winter storm (DR-4898).
Frozen lines, roof leaks and other water damage triggers
A city that has dropped to -22 F knows that frozen pipes are a real winter threat, especially in crawl spaces and along north-facing walls. Spring storms test roofs and gutters, and summer heat keeps air conditioners and their drain lines working hard.
Anyone needing water damage restoration in Union City should expect a contractor to shut off or repair the source, pump out standing water, check moisture with meters and thermal cameras, and dry the building before any water damage repair. Our guides to burst pipe water damage and water damage restoration break that work into stages.
Federal disaster declarations that included Obion County
FEMA records show Obion County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (7 severe storm, 2 severe ice storm, 1 winter storm, 1 tornado, 1 flood, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Union City 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, Straight-line Winds, and Tornado (DR-4712)
- 2022 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4637)
- 2020 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4550)
- 2019 – Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4427)
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 Union City?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Union City property.
Rebuilding after fire and heavy smoke
Heating appliances, extension cords and holiday lights get heavy use during cold spells, and cooking remains a leading cause of house fires. Smoke and soot travel through the whole structure, and water used to fight the fire can damage floors and ceilings below.
Contractors commonly secure the structure, sort salvageable items, remove charred materials, clean soot from every surface and deodorize. Visit fire damage restoration and smoke odor removal to learn more.
Tornado debris, straight-line winds and flood cleanup
Obion County's declarations repeatedly name tornadoes and straight-line winds together with flooding. Wind can peel roofing, shatter windows and drop trees on homes, and rain then soaks insulation and drywall. Low ground near the Obion River and its tributaries can hold water after long storms.
A typical restoration company will tarp, remove debris, extract floodwater, cut out wet materials, disinfect and dry. Both halves of that job are described under storm damage cleanup and flood cleanup for Obion County owners.
Mold risk in a humid subtropical climate
Union City's humid subtropical climate keeps summer air damp, so mold can follow any leak that is not dried within a day or two. Crawl spaces, bathroom walls and storage areas are frequent trouble spots.
The EPA notes that homeowners can typically handle mold covering less than about 10 square feet. More extensive growth, or mold after sewage or floodwater, should be handled by trained professionals using containment and HEPA filtration. Containment barriers, air scrubbers and clearance checks are covered on our mold remediation page.
Steps to protect your Union City home and family
- Call 911 for fire, injuries, a gas smell or anyone trapped.
- Shelter during tornado warnings, and stay away from downed power lines afterward.
- Close the main water valve if a pipe bursts; keep clear of wet outlets and appliances.
- Document damage with photos and video before cleanup, and keep receipts.
- Ask your insurer or agent what your policy includes; flood coverage is typically separate.
Then call (866) 937-3230 or check our Tennessee areas.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Union City):
Union City restoration FAQs
What is the wettest time of year in Union City?
According to the climate data on Wikipedia, May is the wettest month at about 5.6 inches, and August is the driest. Spring is also when Obion County's severe storm and tornado declarations tend to cluster.
How do I keep pipes from freezing in Union City?
Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls, seal drafts, and let faucets drip during hard freezes. Know where your main shutoff valve is so you can act quickly if a pipe splits.
Is Union City at risk from earthquakes?
Obion County sits near the New Madrid fault area; the 1811 earthquakes formed Reelfoot Lake in the county. If shaking ever damages pipes or water heaters, shut off water and gas if you can do so safely.
Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?
Coverage depends on your policy; wind damage and flood damage are often handled differently. Check with your insurer or agent and document everything before repairs begin.
Will Fire & Water Energy send a technician to Obion County?
No. We don't have technicians. We try to refer you to an independent contractor who serves the area, and that contractor sets the estimate and schedule.
Restoration guides
- Burst Pipe Water Damage
- Water Damage Restoration
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Flood Cleanup
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation