Help with freeze, storm, fire and water damage in Tyler

Tyler, the Smith County seat, sits at about 499 feet in Northeast Texas, with Lake Tyler, Lake Palestine and Lake Bellwood nearby. It receives close to 48 inches of precipitation in a typical year, and spring and summer thunderstorms bring heavy rain, hail, damaging winds and tornadoes. On February 16, 2021, the temperature fell to 6 degrees below zero, the lowest on record.

Fire & Water Energy is a phone-based referral service and is not itself a restoration company. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will attempt to connect you with an independent contractor working in Tyler and surrounding East Texas towns like Kilgore, Jacksonville and Longview. We cannot vouch in advance for any provider's schedule. To understand the process, see how it works and read the referral disclosure.

Smith County's mix of ice, wind and tropical rain

Smith County has been named in twelve federal disaster declarations since 2000, more than most inland counties. They range from a Severe Winter Ice Storm and Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 to Hurricanes Rita (2005) and Ike (2008), wildfires in 2006 and 2011, the Severe Winter Storms of 2021, and severe storms with tornadoes and flooding in 2007, 2015, 2016 and 2024.

Heat is part of the picture as well. Highs pass 90 degrees on about 91 days a year, and the city hit 115 degrees in 2011, the same year that brought a wildfire declaration.

Old pipes, split lines and water damage restoration in Tyler

Many homes in the Brick Streets and Charnwood historic districts date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and older plumbing can hide slow leaks for months. When cold arrives, as it did in 2001 and 2021, pipes in crawlspaces, attics and outside walls are vulnerable to freezing.

In newer houses, water heaters, supply lines and AC condensate overflows are more typical. Water damage restoration in Tyler should include stopping the leak, removing water, measuring moisture in framing and subfloors and drying thoroughly in this humid climate. Background reading: burst pipe water damage and water damage restoration, each with step-by-step detail.

Federal disaster declarations that included Smith County

FEMA records show Smith County was included in 12 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 2 flood, 2 severe ice storm, 2 fire, 2 hurricane, 1 coastal storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Tyler was affected. The most recent:

• 2024 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4781)
• 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
• 2016 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4269)
• 2015 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4245)
• 2015 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (DR-4223)
• 2011 – Wildfires (DR-4029)

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.

Fire and smoke in historic and modern buildings

On February 2, 2009, fire swept through several historic downtown buildings and drew eight fire departments. Older structures with wood framing, plaster and decades of finishes can hold smoke and soot in ways that need careful cleaning. Hot, dry stretches raise the risk of grass and brush fires nearby.

Restoration contractors generally secure the site, remove debris, clean soot by type, clean HVAC systems and deodorize. Take a look at fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup before work begins.

Hail, tornadoes and flash flooding in East Texas

Spring storms are the most frequent cause of exterior damage: hail cracks shingles and skylights, high winds bring down trees onto roofs, and downpours can overwhelm drainage. Brick Streets has stone-lined drainage channels, but any neighborhood can see water pour into low rooms during intense rain.

Storm and flood cleanup usually begins with tarping and tree removal, then water extraction, removal of wet materials and drying. Outside water is treated as contaminated. Read storm damage cleanup and flood cleanup for what is involved.

Humidity, crawlspaces and mold

Hot, humid summers and frequent rain give mold every opportunity. Crawlspaces where homes have them, attics beneath storm-damaged roofs and walls behind leaking fixtures are common trouble spots.

The EPA notes that patches below about 10 square feet can usually be handled by homeowners after the moisture source is fixed. Larger or hidden growth, or mold after storm flooding, is a job for mold remediation professionals.

Safety and paperwork for Tyler residents

• Call 911 for fires, injuries, gas leaks or trees on power lines.
• Take shelter in an interior room during tornado warnings.
• During ice storms, stay clear of sagging limbs and downed lines.
• Close the main water valve if a pipe bursts; know where it is before winter.
• Photograph all damage and save receipts for tarps, repairs and lodging.
• Policies differ on freeze, wind and flood damage; confirm with your insurer or agent.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Tyler that callers often mention include:

• Brick Streets Historic District
• Charnwood Residential Historic District
• Downtown

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

• Longview · 34 mi
• Marshall · 56 mi
• Nacogdoches · 64 mi
• Corsicana · 71 mi
• Greenville · 72 mi
• Lufkin · 78 mi

Restoration guides

• Burst Pipe Water Damage
• Water Damage Restoration
• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Smoke Damage Cleanup
• Mold Remediation

Sources

• Wikipedia: Tyler, Texas
• FEMA disaster declarations (Smith County, via batch data)

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