The Coosa River splits Wetumpka in two. The city sits on both banks about five miles above the river's meeting with the Tallapoosa, right on the Fall Line where Appalachian foothills give way to the coastal plain, and its downtown is built along the water beneath the arches of the Bibb Graves Bridge. The river has made this a lovely place to live and, at times, a hard one.
The Restoration Job's free line is open 24/7. Call (888) 317-9980 and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider serving Wetumpka and the rest of Elmore County, for anything from river or storm flooding to a burst line under the kitchen sink. We only make the connection; the provider you speak with 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 Wetumpka. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
The Coosa and the Flood of 1886
The worst flood in Wetumpka's history came in 1886. The river covered the west bank and most of downtown, and it carried away the bridge connecting the two halves of the city. It took more than a year to replace. Dams built on the Coosa since then have changed how the Coosa behaves, but the geography has not changed: low-lying blocks near the river still sit where the water goes when it rises.
If you own or rent near the riverbanks, find your property on the FEMA flood map and consider a separate flood policy, since homeowners coverage does not include rising water. Keep in mind that a new policy usually needs 30 days to take effect.
January 19, 2019: A Tornado Through Downtown
On the afternoon of January 19, 2019, an EF2 tornado with peak winds near 135 mph touched down about three miles southwest of Wetumpka and tracked more than 18 miles to the northeast past Eclectic, at times 700 yards wide. It destroyed the First Presbyterian church and badly damaged the First Baptist church, two of the antebellum churches that stand across from the bridge, and injured four people.
For homes and businesses on the edges of a path like that, water often does the lasting damage. Rain pours through roofs that lost shingles or decking, and buildings can stay open to the weather for days while debris is cleared. Tarping, pulling wet insulation and starting storm damage cleanup early limit how much has to be torn out later.
Cleaning Up After River Water Gets Inside
River floodwater is contaminated with sediment, fuel, chemicals and sewage. Treat everything it touched as unsanitary until it has been cleaned or removed. A typical flood cleanup follows this order:
- Confirm the power is off to flooded areas and the structure is safe to enter
- Pump out water and shovel out mud while it is still wet
- Remove soaked drywall, insulation, carpet and pad
- Wash and disinfect framing, floors and other hard surfaces
- Dry the building with dehumidifiers and air movers, verified with moisture readings
Older downtown buildings with masonry walls hold moisture for a long time and may need extended drying before finishes go back on.
Coosa Valley Humidity and Mold
Wetumpka averages a little over 53 inches of precipitation a year, and summer air near the river is heavy with moisture. Buildings that flooded or took in rain dry slowly in those conditions, and mold can begin on damp drywall, wood and fabric in as little as a day or two. Run the air conditioning if it is safe to do so, keep wet rooms closed off, and get professional drying in place quickly. Mold that covers a large area or keeps coming back usually means hidden moisture that needs to be found before cleanup will last.
Before the Next Warning
Elmore County EMA, headquartered in Wetumpka, runs the Safer Places program, which lists locations where residents can shelter during tornado warnings or extreme heat and cold, with an online map showing accessibility and whether pets are allowed. Find the nearest location now. Keep a flashlight, copies of insurance policies and a list of your possessions somewhere you can grab quickly. Nearby Millbrook uses the same county program.
Areas In and Around Wetumpka
Calls come in from across Wetumpka, including:
- Downtown
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
- Millbrook
- Eclectic
- Elmore
- Coosada
- Tallassee
- Montgomery
Frequently Asked Questions
How bad has flooding been in Wetumpka historically?
The flood of 1886 is the benchmark. According to local history, it covered the west bank and most of downtown and swept away the bridge between the two halves of the city, which took over a year to replace. Upstream dams have changed the river since then, but low areas near the Coosa remain the places most exposed when it rises.
Was the 2019 tornado a flooding event too?
No, it was a wind event. The National Weather Service rated it EF2 with peak winds near 135 mph along an 18-mile path from southwest of Wetumpka to northeast of Eclectic. But wind damage leads to water damage, because rain enters through broken roofs and windows. Interior drying after a storm is often as important as the structural repairs.
Where can I shelter in Wetumpka during a tornado warning?
Elmore County EMA's Safer Places program designates locations across the county for shelter during severe weather and extreme temperatures. The county notes these are safer places, not FEMA-approved safe rooms. Its interactive map lists which sites are open, their accessibility and whether pets are accepted. Check it ahead of time so you know your route.