Hurricanes risk in Texas

Hurricane risk in Texas

Texas is one of the most hurricane-prone states in the United States, with a coastline that stretches 367 miles from the Louisiana border to the Mexican border. The state is rated level 4 of 5 for hurricane and tropical storm risk, meaning residents face a high chance of experiencing hazardous conditions. According to the NOAA National Hurricane Center, hurricanes form in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, and they frequently track toward the Texas coast.

Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most active period typically from mid-August to late September. During this time, warm Gulf waters fuel storms that can rapidly intensify. The entire Texas coast is exposed, but the most at-risk areas include:

• The Houston-Galveston metro area, which is especially vulnerable due to its low elevation and flat terrain.
• Corpus Christi and the middle Texas coast, which have been struck by major hurricanes in recent history.
• Brownsville and the Rio Grande Valley, close to the border with Mexico.
• Beaumont-Port Arthur in the upper coast region.

While coastal communities face the immediate threat of storm surge, Texas hurricanes can also cause widespread inland flooding as they weaken and move north. Rain-soaked ground, slow-moving storms, and urban drainage systems that are overwhelmed can lead to severe flooding many miles from the shoreline. The 2017 Hurricane Harvey, for instance, produced catastrophic rainfall in the Houston area, though we avoid specific figures here for simplicity.

How it affects homes

Hurricanes can damage homes in several ways, and it is important for homeowners to understand the full range of risks.

Wind damage

Hurricane-force winds can tear off roofing, break windows, and even destroy weaker structures. Wind pressure can push against exterior walls, and flying debris can become dangerous projectiles. Homes with poor roof attachments or old windows suffer greater damage.

Storm surge

Storm surge is the abnormal rise of water generated by a storm, and it can swallow entire coastal neighborhoods. This is often the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths. Homes near the coast or in low-lying barrier islands can be flooded by several feet of seawater, making them uninhabitable.

Inland flooding

Heavy rain from hurricanes can cause rivers, bayous, and waterways to overflow. In Houston and other paved-over cities, floodwaters have no natural place to go and can enter homes through doors, windows, or foundation cracks. Flood damage is very expensive to repair and can destroy personal belongings, appliances, and drywall.

Insurance considerations

Standard homeowners insurance in Texas typically covers wind damage, but it does not cover flooding. You need a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by FEMA. If your home is located in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area, your lender may require flood insurance, but even outside such zones, flood risk exists. Additionally, people living in coastal counties may need a separate windstorm policy from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association if they cannot obtain private wind coverage. Review your policy and talk to your agent before the season starts.

How to prepare your home

Preparing your home can reduce damage and help keep your family safe. The Ready.gov hurricane preparedness page recommends taking these steps before hurricane season begins:

• Know your hurricane risk: Check if your home is in an evacuation zone or a flood-prone area. Your local emergency management office can provide maps.
• Create a written evacuation plan that includes your route, a place to stay, and how you will take your pets.
• Reinforce your roof with hurricane straps or clips to better hold the roof to the walls.
• Install storm shutters or fit plywood panels that can cover windows and glass doors when a storm approaches.
• Strengthen exterior doors, including garage doors, which are often the first to fail in high winds.
• Clean gutters and drains so water can flow away from your house, and check that downspouts divert water at least 3 feet from the foundation.
• Consider elevating your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel if you live in a flood-prone area to reduce the potential for expensive damage.
• Secure loose outdoor objects such as patio furniture, grills, and trash cans – these can become flying debris.
• Pack an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, important documents in waterproof containers, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio.

Frequently asked questions

When is hurricane season in Texas?

Hurricane season in Texas and across the Atlantic basin runs from June 1 through November 30. The highest risk typically occurs from mid-August to late September when ocean waters are warmest.

Does homeowner insurance cover hurricane damage in Texas?

Most Texas homeowners policies cover wind and hail damage, including from hurricanes. However, flood damage from storm surge or heavy rain is not covered. You must buy a separate flood insurance policy, usually through the federal National Flood Insurance Program. Coastal residents may also need a supplemental windstorm policy from TWIA if the private market does not offer coverage.

What should I include in my hurricane emergency kit?

Your kit should include at least three days of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, a manual can opener, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, sanitation supplies, copies of important documents, cash, and a battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio. Also include items for infants, pets, and elderly family members if needed.

Official resources

• Texas Division of Emergency Management
• NOAA National Hurricane Center
• Ready.gov – Hurricanes
• FEMA Hurricane Preparedness