Fire, smoke, water or flood damage in Houston? Make sure everyone is safe, call 911 if you need the Houston Fire Department, and call your insurer. Then call (855) 727-0147 and we’ll connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Houston.
What kind of help do you need in Houston?
Fire Damage Restoration
House fire cleanup, drying and rebuild.
Need a board-up or help with your belongings? Read about emergency board-up and tarping and contents cleaning and pack-out.
First 24 hours in Houston
- Stay out until the Houston Fire Department says it is safe.
- Leave power, gas and water off if they were shut off. CenterPoint Energy takes power outage reports at 800-227-1376. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and CenterPoint at 713-659-2111.
- Call your insurer, get a claim number and photograph everything before cleanup.
- If the home is in the floodplain, call the city’s Floodplain Management Office (832-394-8854) before any repairs.
- If you can’t stay home, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 and ask your insurer about living expenses.
Local numbers to keep handy in Houston
| Who | Why you might call | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | Fire, injury or gas leak | 911 |
| City of Houston | City services, water problems | 311 or 713-837-0311 |
| HFD records office | Fire reports | 832-394-6860 |
| CenterPoint Energy | Power outages | 800-227-1376 |
| CenterPoint Energy | Gas leaks | 713-659-2111 or 800-752-8036 |
| Structural Inspections | Fire damage inspection before a repair permit | 832-394-8840 |
| Houston Permitting Center | Repair permits | 832-394-9000 |
| Floodplain Management Office | Floodplain homes, before any repair | 832-394-8854 |
| Harris County permits | Repairs outside city limits | 713-274-3900 |
What’s specific to Houston?
- A city inspection comes before the repair permit. Houston requires a fire damage inspection by its Structural Inspections Section before you can apply for a residential fire damage repair permit. Call 832-394-8840 to schedule it (Houston Permitting Center).
- Floodplain homes: call before repairing. If your home is in the floodplain, the city says you must call its Floodplain Management Office before any repairs (Houston Permitting Center). The office is at 832-394-8854.
- Live flood data. The Harris County Flood Control District’s Flood Warning System shows live rainfall and stream levels from 201 gage stations. You can sign up for alerts (Harris County Flood Warning System).
- Most homes are rentals. About 42% of Houston’s occupied homes are owner-occupied (42.1%, U.S. Census Bureau 2020–2024 estimate), so many households need their landlord involved (Census QuickFacts).
Areas near Houston
- Harris County, including unincorporated areas
- Other Texas areas we cover
Frequently asked questions
No. We are a free referral service. We connect you with an independent restoration company that serves Houston, and you decide whether to hire them.
Most property owners receive quotes within 24 hours.
Yes. Houston requires a fire damage inspection by its Structural Inspections Section (832-394-8840) before you apply for a residential fire damage repair permit.
Get connected with a local restoration company
Free. No obligation. Prefer to talk? Call (855) 727-0147.