El Reno Survived the Widest Tornado Ever Recorded. Your House Can Survive This.

The 2013 tornado — the widest ever recorded at 2.6 miles — tracked west and south of town. The 2019 tornado hit the hotel district along I-40. Neither followed the same path. That's the reality of tornadoes: they don't repeat. What IS predictable is the aftermath — water intrusion through damaged roofing, wind-driven rain in attic spaces, and mold that starts in 48 hours. Every neighborhood in El Reno is equally at risk. What matters is how fast you respond.

Yes. Many downtown El Reno homes were built in the 1940s-1960s with galvanized or cast iron plumbing that's corroded from the inside for decades. When a hard freeze hits — and El Reno gets them every January-February — those weakened pipes are the first to burst. They often fail inside walls where you can't see them. By the time you notice wet baseboards, the wall cavity is saturated. Call me the moment you see moisture.

Very differently. The homes near Fort Reno and along the original town grid are mostly 1920s-1960s construction — pier-and-beam, balloon framing, minimal insulation, galvanized pipes. They dry differently because air moves under pier-and-beam (which helps) but the materials are often original (which means they've been absorbing and releasing moisture for 70 years). Newer homes along the I-40 corridor are slab-on-grade with modern HVAC — they trap moisture instead of venting it. Both need restoration. The approach is different.

The river runs just south of town. In major rain events — like the 2019 floods — the floodplain expands significantly. Properties along the southern edge of El Reno and in low-lying areas near bridges can take water. But the bigger risk for most El Reno residents is localized flash flooding from overwhelmed drainage, not river flooding. When 5+ inches fall in May, the streets can't handle it. I've dried homes from both — river backflow and street drainage overflow.

Absolutely. Route 66 businesses in El Reno are landmarks — Sid's Diner, Robert's Grill, the whole strip. I understand that every hour closed is revenue lost. For commercial properties, I schedule around your business hours. Pipe burst after closing? I'll have water out and fans running before you open. Smoke damage? I'll work overnight. I document everything in real time for your commercial insurance claim.

If nobody treated it, yes — mold doesn't go away on its own. Storm shelters are below-grade moisture traps. After the heavy rain events of 2013, many El Reno shelters developed mold colonies that have been growing ever since. If you've avoided opening your shelter because it smells bad, that's your answer. I'll inspect, remediate, and install a dehumidifier setup so it stays clean for tornado season.

Yes. Hail damage to shingles is often invisible from the ground. The impact cracks the granular layer underneath, compromising the waterproof barrier. You won't know until the next soaking rain — and then it shows up as a ceiling stain three weeks later. By June, the wet insulation in your attic has mold. I recommend a thermal scan after any significant hail event. It finds moisture behind surfaces without cutting anything open.

About 35 minutes on I-40. If you've got standing water, a pipe spraying, or a ceiling dripping, call me. Equipment running in your house within an hour of arrival. I've made this drive more times than I can count — El Reno homeowners know I show up.