Garland, the third-largest city in Dallas County, has a long and painful tornado history. An F4 struck the town on May 9, 1927, and on December 26, 2015 an EF4 moved north from Sunnyvale into southeast Garland, killing nine people in the city. The National Weather Service calls it the deadliest December tornado on record in Dallas County.
Fire & Water Energy acts only as a referral service; restoration work is done by independent companies. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will try to reach an independent restoration contractor that serves Garland and nearby parts of Dallas, Collin and Rockwall counties. We cannot guarantee availability, which depends on local providers. Read how it works and the referral disclosure to learn more.
Garland's tornado history and North Texas weather swings
The city lies at about 551 feet in a humid subtropical climate. May is usually the wettest month, at around 5.3 inches, and that is also prime season for severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging wind. Temperature extremes run from a record low of -3°F in 1989 to 111°F in 2000.
The December 26, 2015 tornado was the strongest of 12 confirmed that day across North Texas. FEMA declarations for Dallas County since 2000 include Hurricane Rita (2005), the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat, the 2015 storms with tornadoes and flooding, Severe Winter Storms in 2016 and 2021, Hurricane Harvey (2017) and the 2024 Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding.
Where water damage starts in Garland houses
Spring hail and wind loosen shingles and flashing, and rain finds its way into attics and ceilings. Hard freezes, like those that brought FEMA declarations in 2021, can burst pipes in attics, garages and exterior walls. Through the long cooling season, overflowing AC condensate pans, water heaters and appliance supply lines are frequent culprits.
For water damage restoration in Garland, a reputable company will typically stop the source, remove standing water, check walls and subfloors with moisture meters, take out materials that cannot be dried and set up dehumidifiers and air movers. Our guides to water damage restoration and emergency water removal describe the work in depth.
Federal disaster declarations that included Dallas County
FEMA records show Dallas County was included in 7 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (2 hurricane, 2 severe storm, 1 flood, 1 severe ice storm, 1 fire, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Garland was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4781)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
- 2017 – Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332)
- 2016 – Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4255)
- 2015 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (DR-4223)
- 2006 – Extreme Wildfire Threat (DR-1624)
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 Garland?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Garland property.
Smoke and soot cleanup in older and newer neighborhoods
Garland's housing ranges from the Travis College Hill Addition, platted in 1913, to newer areas like Firewheel. Older homes may have original wood floors, trim and plaster that require careful soot removal, while modern synthetic furnishings tend to leave heavier odor.
House fires usually start in the kitchen, dryer or electrical system. Contractors commonly test soot, clean from the ceiling down, address ductwork and use deodorization. Dallas County was also included in the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat declaration. Our fire damage cleanup page and the separate soot removal guide go further into the methods.
Tornado and storm cleanup, plus flash flooding
After a tornado or straight-line wind event, the immediate work is securing the home: tarping roofs, boarding windows and clearing fallen trees. Interior drying follows once rain is kept out. Severe storm days can also bring flash flood warnings, and water that comes in from outside is treated as contaminated.
Floodwater cleanup typically means removing wet carpet pad and lower drywall, cleaning and disinfecting, then drying. The steps are outlined under storm damage cleanup and property damage reconstruction.
Mold prevention after storms and leaks
Warm, humid summers let mold take hold on materials that stay damp for more than a day or two. Insulation under storm-damaged roofing, walls behind leaking appliances, and carpet over a slow slab leak are common problem areas.
EPA guidance indicates homeowners can often clean mold patches under about 10 square feet after the moisture source is corrected. Larger growth, or mold following contaminated water, generally calls for professional mold remediation.
Immediate steps for Garland residents
- Call 911 if anyone is injured, you smell gas, or power lines are down.
- When a tornado warning is issued, move to a small interior room on the lowest floor.
- After a storm, watch for broken glass, exposed nails and unstable walls.
- Shut off the main water valve if a pipe bursts.
- Snap pictures of every damaged room, inside and out, before anything is hauled away, and hold on to tarp and lumber receipts.
- Talk to your insurer or agent to understand how your policy applies.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Garland that callers often mention include:
- Historic Downtown Garland
- Travis College Hill Addition
- Firewheel
- Duck Creek
- Buckingham North
- Centerville
- Club Hill
- Eastern Hills
- Embree
- Rose Hill
- Spring Park
- Valley Creek
- Oakridge
- Brentwood Place
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Garland):
Garland restoration FAQs
Can tornadoes really happen in December here?
Yes. The EF4 that hit southeast Garland on December 26, 2015 is the deadliest December tornado on record in Dallas County. Keep a way to receive warnings year-round, not just in spring.
What is the wettest time of year in Garland?
May typically brings the most rain, around 5.3 inches on average. That is also peak season for hail and severe storms, so it's a good time to check gutters, roof and drainage.
Do you serve Rowlett, Sachse and Richardson?
We take calls from nearby cities including Rowlett, Sachse, Richardson, Mesquite and Wylie. We'll try to connect you with an independent contractor who works there, though availability is not guaranteed.
My home is in an older neighborhood. Does that change the cleanup?
It can. Older homes may have plaster, original wood or materials that need testing before demolition or aggressive cleaning. Ask the contractor how they will handle these materials.
Should I start cleanup before the insurance adjuster visits?
Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as stopping water or tarping a roof, and document everything first. Ask your insurer or agent what they need before larger repairs begin.
Restoration guides
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Property Damage Reconstruction
- Water Damage Restoration
- Emergency Water Removal
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation