Water Damage Restoration in Atlanta, GA

First Steps for Water in a Home in Atlanta

• Storm flooding: wait until the water stops rising and officials allow re-entry; wear boots and gloves (flooding steps).
• Stay clear of wet outlets and cords.
• Photograph the damage, then call your insurer.

How Often Atlanta Floods

The 29 counties of the Atlanta metro area logged flooding on 56 days from 2016 to 2025 (254 NOAA reports), July most often.

At the Atlanta 2.3 NE gauge, July is the wettest month with 5.1 inches on average.

Hurricanes, tropical storms or storm surge added 6 report days.

Freezing Nights in Atlanta

Atlanta averages 52 nights a year at or below 32°F (Atlanta Fulton County Airport station). About 4 of them drop to 20°F or colder. NOAA counted 13 winter storm, ice or extreme cold days in the 29 counties of the Atlanta metro area from 2016 to 2025.

Unheated crawl spaces, attics and garages freeze first (Red Cross); keep the heat at 55°F or more (IBHS).

Storms and Disasters in Atlanta

The 29 counties of the Atlanta metro area were named in 11 federal weather or fire declarations since 2016 (OpenFEMA).

Notable NOAA storm reports

• April 10, 2025: Hail, 2.5 inch hail (Cherokee County)Several reports of hail ranging in size from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches on the northwest side of Woodstock GA.
• July 20, 2023: Thunderstorm wind, 96 mph gust (Forsyth County)A survey of northern Forsyth County was done to assess whether or not a tornado occurred.
• September 7, 2021: Flash flood (Cobb County)Numerous social media posts and reports from Emergency Management indicated significant flooding over Cobb county due to anomalously heavy rainfall.
• March 25, 2021: Tornado, EF4 (Coweta County)A National Weather Service survey determined that an EF4 tornado with maximum wind speeds 170 MPH and a maximum path width of 1850 yards occurred in Coweta County.
• September 11, 2017: Tropical storm (DeKalb County)The DeKalb County Emergency Manager reported hundreds of trees and many power lines blown down across the county.

Federal disaster declarations

• October 9, 2026: Hurricane IsaiasTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3657
• January 24, 2026: Severe Winter StormWinter Storm, FEMA EM-3642
• September 30, 2024: Hurricane HeleneHurricane, FEMA DR-4830
• September 26, 2024: Hurricane HeleneTropical Storm, FEMA EM-3616
• January 16, 2023: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4685
• May 5, 2021: Severe Storms And TornadoesSevere Storm, FEMA DR-4600
• January 12, 2021: Tropical Storm ZetaHurricane, FEMA DR-4579

Atlanta Housing at a Glance

Census figures for the city of Atlanta (American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024): 265,899 housing units, a median build year of 1989, 43% built before 1980, 35% before 1970, 46% owner occupied.

Georgia Insurance Rules for Water Claims

Georgia insurers must acknowledge a first-party property damage claim within 15 days unless they pay it in that time (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 120-2-52-.03).

Claim problems in Georgia go to the Georgia Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.

Flood damage needs a separate flood policy, which typically starts 30 days after purchase (FloodSmart). Look up Atlanta flood zones on FEMA's flood maps.

Restoration Cost Guide for Atlanta

Sources: Bob Vila, May 2023; III, 2019 to 2023.

Areas Served Around Atlanta

The same 24/7 line covers the Atlanta metro area, including:

• Atlanta
• South Fulton
• Sandy Springs
• Roswell
• Johns Creek
• Mableton
• Alpharetta
• Marietta
• Stonecrest
• Brookhaven
• Smyrna
• Dunwoody

Water damage restoration in all cities

Questions

When is the first freeze in Atlanta?

The median first night at or below 32°F is November 8 and the median last is March 24 at the Atlanta Fulton County Airport station (NOAA normals, 1991 to 2020).

How fast does mold start?

Dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours (EPA).