Natural Disaster Risk in Houston, TX
2026 Risk Report — Flood, Tornado, Earthquake, Wildfire, Hurricane — Powered by FEMA, NOAA, USGS
Overall Risk Summary — Houston
Flood Risk — Houston
Houston has a flood risk score of 89/100, classified as Very High.
This score is derived from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, flood zone designations, and NOAA precipitation records.
Tornado Risk — Houston
Tornado risk score: 58/100 — Moderate
Based on NOAA Storm Events Database historical tornado tracks and frequency data.
Earthquake Risk — Houston
Earthquake risk score: 8/100 — Very Low
Based on USGS National Seismic Hazard Model and historical seismic event data.
Wildfire Risk — Houston
Wildfire risk score: 35/100 — Low
Based on USDA Forest Service wildfire risk data and historical fire perimeter records.
Hurricane Risk — Houston
Hurricane risk score: 82/100 — Very High
Based on NOAA historical hurricane track data and coastal storm surge modeling.
What This Means for Home Insurance in Houston
Standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Properties in FEMA flood zones may be required to purchase separate NFIP coverage. Flood insurance is strongly recommended in this area.
Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies. A separate earthquake rider or policy is required.
Homeowners insurance typically covers wind and fire damage, but high-risk areas may see coverage restrictions or higher premiums.
Compare Nearby Cities
| City | Overall | Flood | Tornado | Earthquake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston (current) | 54 | 89 | 58 | 8 |
| San Antonio | — | — | — | — |
| Dallas | — | — | — | — |
Recent Significant Events — Houston
| Date | Hazard | Description | Fatalities | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-08-25 | flood | Hurricane Harvey — 51 inches of rain, catastrophic flooding, $125B damage | 36 | NOAA |
| 2008-09-13 | hurricane | Hurricane Ike makes landfall near Galveston as Cat 2 | 20 | NOAA |
Frequently Asked Questions — Houston
Is Houston in a flood zone?
Houston has a flood risk score of 89/100, which is considered Very High. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for specific parcel-level flood zone designations.
Does Houston get tornadoes?
Houston has a tornado risk score of 58/100. This area has experienced tornadoes historically and residents should have a preparedness plan.
What is the earthquake risk in Houston?
Houston has an earthquake risk score of 8/100 (Very Low). This is based on USGS seismic hazard assessments and historical earthquake data.
Is Houston at risk for wildfires?
Houston's wildfire risk score is 35/100 (Low). This reflects proximity to wildland-urban interface areas and historical fire data.
How does natural disaster risk affect home insurance in Houston?
Areas with higher flood, earthquake, or wildfire scores typically see higher home insurance premiums. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover floods — a separate NFIP or private flood policy is required. Earthquake coverage also requires a separate rider or policy.