Water Damage and Flood Cleanup in Tuscaloosa, AL

A City Built Where the Fall Line Meets the Black Warrior

Tuscaloosa sits on the Black Warrior River exactly where the Appalachian Highlands give way to the Gulf Coastal Plain. That fall-line setting gives the city two personalities: forested hills to the northeast and a low, marshy plain to the southwest. Downtown is only about 190 feet above sea level.

Water is everywhere here. More than 10 of the city's 72 square miles are water, including Lake Tuscaloosa, which was formed by damming the North River and now supplies drinking water for much of Tuscaloosa County. Oliver Lock and Dam, just west of downtown, holds back Oliver Lake before the river begins a long, meandering run south.

The city averages about 53.5 inches of precipitation a year. Rain falls in every season, so a soaked crawlspace, a flooded street or a ceiling stain can happen in January as easily as in July.

River Floods and Storm Damage Tuscaloosa Remembers

Tuscaloosa's most painful weather memory is April 27, 2011. A high-end EF4 tornado with winds near 190 mph and a width of up to 1.5 miles crossed the city on its 80-mile path toward Birmingham, striking Rosedale, Forest Lake, Cedar Crest, Alberta City and Holt. Sixty-four people lost their lives along its track, and the community has spent years rebuilding.

The city has seen other destructive tornadoes, including an F4 in December 2000 and an F2 in January 1997. Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms leave homes open to rain, which is why storm damage cleanup in Tuscaloosa so often includes interior drying, not just debris removal.

River flooding is the other big risk. Over December 23-25, 2015, many central Alabama locations received 6 to 10 inches of rain, followed by another 4 to 8 inches. The National Weather Service in Birmingham said the runoff caused flooding along almost every main-stem river in the region, and its photos show the Black Warrior out of its banks in Tuscaloosa. For homes and businesses near the water, see how flood cleanup is handled.

Rentals Near Campus and Long-Time Family Homes

Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama and about 99,600 residents, so a large share of the housing is rental: apartments, duplexes and older houses near campus, alongside family neighborhoods like Hillcrest, Alberta and North River.

When water damage hits a rental, roles matter:

• Tenants should stop the water if possible, notify the landlord or property manager right away in writing, and photograph personal belongings. Renters insurance usually covers the tenant's own contents, not the building.
• Landlords and managers should get extraction started quickly, check adjoining units, and keep moisture logs from the restoration company for the building's insurer.
• Multi-unit buildings can spread a leak from one floor to the next within hours, so units below the source should be checked even if they look dry.

Property managers can call (888) 817-5061 to be connected with a local provider for apartments, offices or retail space.

Right After You Find the Water

1. Close the valve. Shut the fixture valve or the main water shutoff. If the water is from rising river or street flooding, leave if authorities advise it.
2. Respect the electricity. Stay out of water that may touch outlets or appliances, and never enter a flooded basement with power on.
3. Know your water category. A broken supply line is Category 1. River water and street runoff are Category 3 and can carry sewage and chemicals.
4. Photograph before cleaning. Insurers want to see conditions as you found them.
5. Report problems to the city. Inside city limits you can dial 311 or 205-248-5311 to report issues through Tuscaloosa 311.
6. Arrange extraction. Call (888) 817-5061 to reach a local company offering water removal and extraction.

Extraction, Structural Drying and Rebuild

Water damage restoration in Tuscaloosa generally runs through four stages:

• Inspection. The crew identifies the source and water category and maps moisture with meters and thermal cameras.
• Extraction and tear-out. Standing water is pumped or extracted. After Category 3 flooding, carpet pad, soaked insulation and the lower portion of drywall are usually removed and disposed of.
• Drying and sanitizing. Dehumidifiers and air movers run until readings reach drying goals, with daily checks. Affected surfaces are cleaned and treated. See structural drying for more.
• Water damage repair. Drywall, flooring, cabinets and trim are replaced once the structure is verified dry.

For residential repair or remodeling over $10,000, confirm the contractor holds a current Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board license; roofing jobs over $2,500 also require one.

Mold Removal and What Alabama Does Not Regulate

EPA guidance says mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours on materials that stay wet. Tuscaloosa's long, hot summers and humid air make prompt drying especially important, and older rentals with crawlspaces can hide moisture for weeks.

Alabama does not have a state license specifically for mold remediation, based on an industry roundup of state requirements; we found no official Alabama agency licensing mold assessors or remediators. When hiring for mold cleanup in Tuscaloosa, ask about the crew's training (IICRC certification is one example), how they will contain the work area and whether clearance documentation is included.

Read more about mold removal.

Flood Insurance, Alerts and Records

Standard homeowners and renters policies generally exclude flood. Coverage from the NFIP or a private flood insurer is separate, and NFIP policies typically have a 30-day waiting period. Tuscaloosa County Public Works handles flood plain management for the county, and the FEMA Flood Map Service Center shows mapped flood zones by address.

Sign up for TuscALERT emergency notifications through the Tuscaloosa County EMA, which also lists public storm shelters. After any loss, keep photos, receipts and drying logs together; WaterQ cannot promise a claim outcome, but a complete file helps. Neighboring Northport is served too.

Tuscaloosa Neighborhoods and Nearby West Alabama Communities

WaterQ's free referral line connects callers across Tuscaloosa and the surrounding county with independent local restoration companies.

Neighborhoods

• Downtown
• Central/Midtown
• Alberta
• Alberta City
• East Tuscaloosa
• Hillcrest
• North River
• West Tuscaloosa
• University of Alabama campus
• Rosedale
• Forest Lake
• Cedar Crest
• Holt

Nearby communities

• Northport
• Cottondale
• Coker
• Brookwood
• Lake View
• Vance
• Moundville
• Coaling
• Peterson

Local emergency and flood resources

Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Tuscaloosa:

• Tuscaloosa 311
• Tuscaloosa County EMA
• TuscALERT signup (Smart911)
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center