Hurricane tops the risk list, and FEMA has declared Texas a disaster area 388 times since 1953. Here's what to prepare for — and how.
Texas faces a broader and more severe disaster landscape than almost any other U.S. state, a direct consequence of its enormous size, coastal exposure, and position at the crossroads of competing air masses. Hurricanes threaten the 367-mile Gulf Coast every season, tornadoes carve through the central plains with regularity, and flash flooding can strike from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley with little warning. The FEMA record — 107 major disaster declarations — reflects this relentless exposure. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 made landfall near Rockport as a Category 4 storm and then stalled over Houston, dumping more than 60 inches of rain in some locations, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing catastrophic damage across the region. In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri sent temperatures plummeting across all 254 counties, triggering widespread failures in the state's power grid and leaving millions without heat for days; the event resulted in several hundred deaths and billions of dollars in damage. Earlier, the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, killing an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people and demonstrating the existential vulnerability of the Texas coast. For residents today, this history carries a clear message: preparedness must be multi-hazard. A family plan that accounts only for hurricanes will be dangerously incomplete. Texans should maintain emergency kits suited to heat loss and power failure as much as flooding, stay connected to local warning systems, and know evacuation routes well in advance of any threat.
Hurricanes bring storm surge, wind damage, and flooding that can cut off evacuation routes.
Tornadoes can form within minutes and level a home — identify your safe room now.
Flooding is the most common US disaster — just 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down.
Extreme heat kills more Americans than any other weather event every year.
Drought strains municipal water supplies and dramatically raises wildfire risk.
This region faces the highest risk from landfalling hurricanes, tropical storm surge, and extreme rainfall-driven flooding.
The open plains and convergence of dry and moist air masses make this region exceptionally prone to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
Narrow canyons and impermeable limestone terrain create conditions for deadly flash flooding, earning portions of this area the nickname Flash Flood Alley.
Extreme heat, prolonged drought, and wildfire are the dominant hazards in this arid, sparsely populated region.
This region is vulnerable to both wildfire during dry spells and heavy flooding from Gulf moisture, as demonstrated repeatedly during tropical events.
Add your housing type to adjust the results for your specific situation.
Your housing type (select all that apply)
The state's official emergency management agency — alerts, shelter info, and disaster assistance.
Texans can receive official emergency alerts through their county's local notification system connected to the statewide AlertTexas platform — residents should register at their county's Office of Emergency Management website and ensure Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on their mobile devices.
What natural disasters is Texas most at risk for?
Texas carries high risk ratings for hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and extreme heat, and a medium risk for drought. Its geography — a long Gulf Coast, central plains open to severe storms, and arid western expanses — means different regions face different primary threats, making a multi-hazard preparedness approach essential for all residents.
How should Texas residents prepare for a hurricane?
Residents should know their flood zone and local evacuation routes before any storm forms. Prepare a go-bag with medications, documents, water, and food for at least 72 hours. Follow orders from local officials promptly, since traffic on coastal evacuation routes can build rapidly, as seen during Hurricane Rita in 2005.
What lessons did Winter Storm Uri in 2021 teach Texas residents about preparedness?
Uri exposed how a non-tropical event could disable the power grid statewide, leaving millions without heat in subfreezing temperatures. Preparedness takeaways include keeping warm clothing and blankets accessible year-round, storing water before freezes that can burst pipes, identifying warming shelters in advance, and not relying solely on electric heating systems.
How do I receive emergency alerts in Texas?
Texas uses the statewide AlertTexas network, and most counties operate local alert systems tied to it. Residents should also register with their county's emergency notification program, enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on their cell phones, and monitor the National Weather Service for watches and warnings specific to their area.
Knowing your risks is step one. Two minutes with the readiness quiz tells you exactly where your preparation stands — and the free guide walks you through closing the gaps.