Rowlett tornado, water and fire damage recovery help

This eastern Dallas suburb spans Dallas and Rockwall counties at about 459 feet, with Rowlett Creek feeding the lake on its way to the East Fork of the Trinity. The town had roughly 1,600 residents in 1973 and more than 62,000 by 2020, so the bulk of its housing dates from the past five decades.

For help after a leak, fire or storm, phone (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy only provides referrals, and we try to reach an independent restoration contractor working in Rowlett, Garland, Rockwall, Sachse or Wylie. We have no technicians, and we can't say in advance whether a provider will be open. The how it works page and our referral disclosure explain how calls are handled.

Life on the lake: tornadoes, hail and ice

On December 26, 2015, an EF4 tornado carved a 13-mile path from Sunnyvale and Garland into southeast Rowlett. It severely damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and vehicles, several businesses and a city water tower; the 1980 Martha Lane tower had to be demolished in 2017. The National Weather Service counted 10 deaths from that tornado, one of them in Rowlett.

Average rainfall is about 40.6 inches, peaking in May at more than 5 inches, which overlaps the main hail and severe storm season. Dallas County's FEMA declarations since 2000 include Hurricane Rita (2005), the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat, the 2015 storms, the winter storms and tornadoes of late 2015 and early 2016, Hurricane Harvey (2017), the 2021 Severe Winter Storms and the 2024 storms with tornadoes and flooding.

Plumbing, appliance and roof leaks in lakeside homes

Homes built during the post-1971 boom are now old enough for original water heaters, supply lines and shower pans to fail. Hail-cracked shingles can let rain into attics during the next storm, and AC condensate lines clog during long summer stretches when the average high reaches 95°F. Hard freezes, like the one behind the 2021 declaration, threaten pipes in attics and exterior walls.

A typical contractor approach to water damage restoration in Rowlett is to stop the source, remove standing water, measure moisture in walls and floors, cut out what can't be dried and run dehumidifiers. Our pages on water damage repair and water extraction describe the process.

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 Rowlett 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.

Rebuilding after smoke and fire damage

A fire that starts in a kitchen, garage or dryer can send smoke through the whole house via ductwork, leaving soot on ceilings and odor in carpet, drywall and clothing. Fighting the fire adds water damage on top. Dallas County was also part of FEMA's 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat declaration, when dry conditions raised grass fire danger across the region.

Contractors commonly test the soot, decide what can be cleaned versus replaced, clean ducts and apply deodorization. For more, read the fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal guides.

Tornado debris, wind damage and storm runoff

After a tornado or straight-line wind event, the priorities are safety and keeping water out. Tarping roofs, boarding windows and removing trees from the structure come before drying. The 2015 tornado showed how quickly whole blocks can need temporary protection at once.

Heavy spring rain can also overwhelm drainage and push water into garages and ground floors. Since outside water is considered contaminated, wet pad and lower drywall are usually removed before drying. Our storm damage cleanup and property damage reconstruction pages cover the full cycle.

Mold risks after leaks and storms

Warm, humid North Texas summers let mold start on wet materials within a day or two. Roof leaks after hail, failed shower pans and slow plumbing leaks behind cabinets are frequent sources in Rowlett homes.

Following EPA guidance, homeowners can usually clean mold patches under about 10 square feet after fixing the cause of the moisture. Larger areas or growth that returns call for professional mold remediation.

Rowlett emergency checklist

• Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas odors or downed power lines.
• Keep at least two ways to receive tornado warnings, including at night and in winter; the 2015 tornado struck the day after Christmas.
• Move to an interior room on the lowest floor during a warning.
• After a storm, wear sturdy shoes and gloves and watch for nails, glass and damaged wiring.
• Shut the main water valve for a burst pipe or failed water heater.
• Document damage thoroughly and contact your insurer or agent about how your policy applies.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

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

• Garland · 4 mi
• Sachse · 5 mi
• Rockwall · 6 mi
• Wylie · 8 mi
• Mesquite · 10 mi
• Richardson · 10 mi

Restoration guides

• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Property Damage Reconstruction
• Water Damage Repair
• Water Extraction
• Fire Damage Cleanup
• Mold Remediation

Local resources for Rowlett residents

• NWS Fort Worth: December 26, 2015 tornadoes

Sources

• Wikipedia: Rowlett, Texas
• National Weather Service Fort Worth: Dec 26, 2015 tornadoes

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