Texas averages 8 hurricane impacts per decade. Peak season runs August – September. Know your risk, know your zone, and sign up for alerts before the season starts.
The 1900 Galveston Hurricane remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, killing an estimated 6,000–12,000 people.
Texas uses a contraflow system on major highways. Evacuate early — Houston-area traffic can add 12+ hours to travel times.
Prep tip: Hurricane Harvey (2017) showed that flooding, not wind, is the primary killer in Texas. Know your flood zone and have a flood insurance policy.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30. Peak activity in Texas typically occurs during August – September. The statistical peak of the season is September 10.
Up to 20 feet along the upper Texas coast near Galveston and Houston. Storm surge is the deadliest aspect of a hurricane — it can arrive hours before the storm's center. Use our storm surge lookup at /storm-surge to check your specific ZIP code.
Yes — Texas has a very high hurricane risk and standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You need a separate NFIP flood insurance policy. See our full guide at /hurricane-insurance.
Start before the season: know your evacuation zone, build a 7-day emergency kit, have a family communication plan, and sign up for local emergency alerts. Use our preparedness checklist builder at /preparedness for a personalized list.