Roofing in De Kalb, Texas

About De Kalb

De Kalb goes back to the 1830s. The area was settled by 1831, and the town served as county seat in 1840 and 1841. Local history says Davy Crockett suggested naming it for Johann de Kalb, a general in the American Revolution, in 1836.

The Texas and Pacific Railroad reached De Kalb in 1876. Fires in 1896 and 1923 destroyed most of the businesses in town. The 2020 census counted 1,527 people. A state historical marker telling the story stands at U.S. 82 and FM 2735.

Getting to De Kalb from our office

From our office at 9007 N Kings Hwy in Texarkana, the drive is about 33 miles. The usual route is west on I-30, then west on U.S. 82 into town. That is close enough for a free inspection, a tarp after a storm, or a full replacement.

Storms in De Kalb

De Kalb has taken direct hits. On May 4, 1999, an F3 tornado moved through the downtown district and across the high school. NOAA's records say numerous homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed, 22 people were hurt, and the damage led to a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

On January 21, 2018, an EF2 tornado with winds near 125 mph touched down just southwest of town and tracked northeast across U.S. 82. The National Weather Service counted 16 homes and 32 mobile homes damaged, and one home had its roof removed. More recently, a storm on March 4, 2025 left several roofs in De Kalb severely damaged, some partly torn off.

Hail hits here too. NOAA logged golf ball size hail at U.S. 259 and U.S. 82 near De Kalb on May 9, 2016, and ping pong ball size hail on the northwest side of town on April 9, 2021. Across Bowie County, NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 48 hail reports and 83 thunderstorm wind events in the ten years through 2025. Thirty of those hail reports were quarter size or bigger.

Permits in De Kalb

De Kalb's city code adopts building codes by reference and says building permit fees follow a schedule set by the City Council. The city's website does not have a permit page. Before a roof job starts, call De Kalb City Hall at (903) 667-2410 and ask what a permit needs. The city lists City Hall at 110 E. Grizzly Dr.

Picking a roofer

Texas does not require roofing contractors to hold a state license, so the checking falls to you. Look for a local address, read reviews, and get a written estimate that spells out tear-off, materials, and cleanup. Bohon Roofing carries surety bonds in Texas and is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. James Bohon opened the company in 1980, and his son Robbie runs it today.

What to expect when we come out

• A free inspection with drone photos of every slope
• A written estimate with no obligation, or a straight answer that you don't need work yet
• A tarp if a storm has left the roof open to rain
• Photos and an adjuster meeting if it's an insurance claim
• A hand-nailed repair or new roof, and a final walkthrough with you