Steel and coal built Hueytown. The Woodward Iron Company's blast furnaces, founded in 1881, made the area one of the country's largest suppliers of pig iron, and coal came out of the Virginia Mines until 1953. The city incorporated in 1959 and covers about 20 square miles of western Jefferson County, with the last blast furnace shutting down in 1973. Racing fans know it as home of the Alabama Gang, the Allisons and Neil Bonnett.
Day or night, you can dial (888) 317-9980 at no charge, and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider serving Hueytown, whether the water came through a storm-damaged roof, up from a crawl space or out of a broken pipe. We handle the connection only; the provider you reach does the work.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Hueytown. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
In the Path of Western Jefferson County Tornadoes
Two of the most destructive tornadoes in Alabama history passed close to Hueytown. On April 8, 1998, an F5 tornado crossed from Tuscaloosa County into Jefferson County and tore through Oak Grove, Concord, Pleasant Grove, Edgewater and McDonald Chapel. The National Weather Service in Birmingham counted more than 1,000 homes destroyed and more than 900 with significant damage along its roughly 30-mile path. On April 27, 2011, the Tuscaloosa-Birmingham EF4 crossed Jefferson County as well, again damaging communities near Hueytown.
Most storms are nowhere near that scale, but the area gets frequent severe thunderstorms with damaging wind and hail. That makes roof and window damage, and the water that follows it, the most common storm-related loss.
After the Wind: Stopping Rain From Becoming Water Damage
The first 24 hours after a storm decide how much interior damage you end up with. A hole in the roof or a broken window lets rain soak insulation, ceilings, walls and floors, and wet insulation can hold moisture for days. Priorities in order:
- Stay safe: avoid rooms under sagging ceilings and keep clear of downed lines
- Cover openings with tarps or plywood as soon as it is safe
- Photograph everything before cleanup for your insurer
- Pull wet insulation and ceiling drywall so framing can dry
A provider offering storm damage cleanup can handle tarping coordination, removal of soaked materials and drying, then document moisture readings that support your claim.
Crawl Spaces and Aging Plumbing in Mill-Era Homes
Plenty of older Alabama houses sit over vented crawl spaces, and in a former mill town the plumbing in them may have been patched more than once. Leaks under the floor can go unnoticed for weeks: the first sign is often a soft spot in the floor, a musty smell or a higher water bill. Water heaters in hall closets, galvanized supply lines and old drain connections are frequent culprits.
Drying a crawl space properly means removing standing water, pulling wet insulation from between the joists, and running dehumidification until the wood reaches normal moisture levels. Skipping that step is how a small leak turns into rot. Professional water extraction is usually the starting point when water is pooled on the vapor barrier or soil.
Mold in a Humid Valley
Summers in the Birmingham area are warm and humid, and a crawl space or wall cavity that stays wet for more than a couple of days can start growing mold on joists, subfloor and drywall paper. Visible spots, a persistent musty odor or warped flooring after a leak are signs to have the area checked. The fix is drying and removing affected materials, plus correcting the moisture source. Spraying bleach over growth on porous wood or drywall does not reach what is underneath.
Local Alerts and Getting Help Fast
Sign up for Jefferson County EMA emergency notifications and keep a weather radio for overnight storms. The National Weather Service office in Birmingham issues watches and warnings for the county. If flooding is a concern on your street, check your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center; flood is excluded from standard homeowners policies. Next door, Bessemer lists its creeks and storm shelter information on its city website.
Where Callers in the Hueytown Area Are
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Questions From Hueytown Property Owners
Has Hueytown been hit by major tornadoes?
The city's surroundings have. An F5 tornado on April 8, 1998 devastated nearby Oak Grove, Concord, Pleasant Grove and Edgewater, and an EF4 on April 27, 2011 also crossed western Jefferson County and damaged nearby communities. Having a shelter plan and emergency alerts set up is the most important step; restoration needs come after everyone is safe.
What should I do first when rain comes through a storm-damaged roof?
Make sure the area is safe, then get the opening covered with a tarp as soon as you can. Move belongings out of the wet room, set out buckets, and photograph the damage inside and out. Call your insurer to open a claim. Wet attic insulation and ceiling drywall usually need to be removed so the space can dry.
How do I know if there is a leak under my house?
Watch for a water bill that jumps without explanation, the sound of running water when nothing is on, soft or bouncy flooring, or a musty smell from vents or floor registers. Shut off fixtures and check the water meter; if it still moves, there is likely a leak. A provider can use moisture meters and inspect the crawl space to find it.