Wildfire smoke, hail and frozen pipe damage help in Amarillo

Amarillo straddles Potter and Randall counties at about 3,660 feet, with the Canadian River and Lake Meredith to the northeast and Palo Duro Canyon to the southeast. The Weather Channel has called it the windiest city in the United States, and that wind drives Panhandle grass fires, blizzards and severe storms with devastating hail.

Fire & Water Energy is a referral service and does no restoration itself. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to find an independent restoration contractor working in Amarillo and the surrounding Panhandle. Whether anyone can take the job hinges on which Panhandle providers are working that day. Before calling, you can skim how it works and the referral disclosure to see exactly what we do and don't do.

Panhandle fire weather, hailstorms and blue northers

The Panhandle has produced the two largest wildfires in Texas records. The 2006 East Amarillo Complex Fire burned about 907,245 acres, and Potter County was included in FEMA's 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat and 2011 Wildfires declarations. In February 2024 the Smokehouse Creek Fire started near Stinnett and grew to about 1.06 million acres, the largest on record in the state.

Precipitation averages about 20.4 inches, and much of it collects in playa lakes on the flat plains. The city has a long tornado list, including a deadly F4 on May 15, 1949 that killed seven people. Winters bring blizzards, nearly 18 inches of seasonal snow and sudden blue northers; the record low is -16°F, from the Great Blizzard of 1899. FEMA also declared a Severe Winter Ice Storm in 2001 and Severe Winter Storms in 2021 for the county.

Frozen pipes and hail leaks: water damage repair on the High Plains

Amarillo averages almost nine days a year when the temperature never climbs above freezing. Pipes in exterior walls, crawlspaces, garages and unheated additions are the first to split. Hail is the other big source of water damage: cracked shingles, broken skylights and dented vents let the next storm leak into attics and ceilings.

For water damage restoration in Amarillo, a contractor will generally stop the source, extract water, use moisture meters to find wet framing and subfloor, remove what cannot be saved and dry with dehumidifiers and air movers. The burst pipe water damage and water damage repair guides have more.

Federal disaster declarations that included Potter County

FEMA records show Potter County was included in 5 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 severe ice storm, 2 fire, 1 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Amarillo was affected. The most recent:

• 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
• 2011 – Wildfires (DR-1999)
• 2006 – Extreme Wildfire Threat (DR-1624)
• 2005 – Hurricane Rita (DR-1606)
• 2001 – Severe Winter Ice Storm (DR-1356)

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.

Smoke, soot and ash from grass fires and house fires

When wildfire burns across the region, strong winds can carry smoke and ash for miles, and fine particles slip into attics, ductwork and fabrics. Homes near open grassland on the edges of town face the most direct risk. Indoors, cooking, heating equipment and electrical faults start most house fires, especially in cold months.

Restoration companies commonly test residue, HEPA-vacuum and dry-sponge soot, wash hard surfaces, clean HVAC systems and use deodorization. Learn more under smoke damage cleanup and fire damage restoration.

Hail, tornado and blizzard cleanup

Severe spring storms bring hail, damaging straight-line winds and tornadoes. The first priorities are roof tarping, board-up and clearing debris so rain stops getting in. Blizzards and ice storms can collapse gutters, break limbs and lead to ice dams or meltwater leaks.

Heavy rain sometimes overwhelms playa lakes and low streets, sending water into garages and basements. Water that enters from outside is handled as contaminated. See our pages on storm damage cleanup and basement flood cleanup.

Mold in a dry, windy climate

Dry air helps, but mold still grows where water is trapped: inside walls after a frozen pipe, under flooring, or in attic insulation beneath a hail-damaged roof. Basements that took on stormwater are another risk spot.

The EPA says homeowners can often clean mold under about 10 square feet once moisture is fixed. Larger or recurring growth, or mold after floodwater, usually calls for professional mold removal with containment.

Staying safe in Amarillo during fires, storms and freezes

• Call 911 for fire, injury, gas odors or downed lines.
• Follow evacuation orders from officials during wildfires, and keep windows closed and HVAC on recirculate when smoke is heavy.
• In a tornado warning, go to a basement or interior room on the lowest level.
• During a hard freeze, drip faucets on exterior walls and know where your main water shutoff is.
• Photograph damage, including roof and exterior, before any cleanup.
• Ask your insurer or agent how your policy handles hail, wind, smoke and water losses.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Amarillo that callers often mention include:

• Downtown
• Eastridge
• San Jacinto
• Polk Street
• Hospital District

Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Amarillo):

• Clovis, NM · 96 mi
• Tucumcari, NM · 107 mi
• Portales, NM · 111 mi
• Lubbock · 114 mi
• Clayton, NM · 114 mi

Restoration guides

• Smoke Damage Cleanup
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Burst Pipe Water Damage
• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Water Damage Repair
• Mold Removal

Local resources for Amarillo residents

• Wikipedia: Smokehouse Creek Fire

Sources

• Wikipedia: Amarillo, Texas
• Wikipedia: Smokehouse Creek Fire

← More Texas cities