When is hurricane season in Texas in 2024?

Everything Is apparently larger in Texas, even in extreme weather. Hurricane season in Texas runs from June to the end of November. However, the most dangerous time for hurricanes in the Lone Star State is August to mid-October. However, that doesn’t mean Texas homeowners should be cautious during the other months of the year. Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, made landfall in July 2024, causing $28 billion to $32 billion in damages. Additionally, data from the National Weather Service shows that the Texas coast is hit by hurricanes in every month of the hurricane season except November.

The key to hurricane preparedness goes beyond just boarding up the windows. To be financially protected from hurricane damage, it is important to purchase insurance policies – home, flood and wind insurance, depending on your location – before the Texas hurricane season begins.

When is hurricane season in Texas?

The official hurricane season in Texas runs from June 1 to November 30, mirroring the rest of the United States. However, August through October are generally considered the peak months of hurricane season. Historically, these months have seen the most storm activity. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), approximately 78 percent of tropical storm days, 87 percent of minor hurricane days, and 96 percent of major hurricane days occur within this 92-day window.

Are hurricanes common in Texas?

Texas has a long history of hurricanes. The first recorded hurricane made landfall here in 1851. Then in 1900, the Great Galveston Hurricane devastated the Galveston Bay Area. The deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history claimed between 8,000 and 12,000 lives.

Since 1900, Texas has been more affected by hurricanes than any other state except Florida. The average annual rate of tropical storms or hurricanes in Texas is 0.8. This means that on average, Texans can expect about three hurricanes or tropical storms in a four-year period. Over the past 20 years, Texas has experienced the most direct impacts of hurricanes. Hurricane Harvey in 2015 was the deadliest and costliest.

The worst hurricanes in Texas history include:

• Hurricane Carla (1961) – Category 4, $1.9 billion in damage, 125 deaths

• Hurricane Beulah (1967) – Category 5, $1.6 billion in damage, 56 fatalities

• Hurricane Alicia (1983) – Category 3, $1.3 billion in damage, 18 fatalities

• Hurricane Rita (2005) – Category 3, $20.6 billion in damage, 11 fatalities

• Hurricane Ike (2008) – Category 3, $32.3 billion in damage, 23 fatalities

• Hurricane Harvey (2015) – Category 4, $125 billion in damage, 68 deaths

• Hurricane Beryl (2024) — Category 5, $28-32 billion in damage, 36 fatalities

Common Types of Hurricane Damage

Hurricanes most commonly cause wind and flood damage, both of which can require extensive repairs to your home. When a hurricane makes landfall, average sustained wind speeds are between 100 and 150 miles per hour, with wind speeds from stronger storms exceeding 200 miles per hour.

If you are near the hurricane, wind damage to your home may occur. Structural damage, such as damage to your roof or facade, is common. Hurricanes can also cause severe flooding due to storm surges or heavy rainfall. This, in turn, can lead to serious damage to the interior and exterior or the total loss of your home.

According to NOAA, severe flooding caused by hurricanes has an average cost of about $4.7 billion per event. Severe storms, the most common type of disaster, cost an average of $2.3 billion per event.

Here’s how to prepare your home for hurricane season

Preparing your home and family before a hurricane hits can help you avoid damage and stay safe.

1. Check your insurance policy

It’s important to take the time to review your home insurance before hurricane season. This way, you’ll understand what your policy covers and doesn’t cover before you need to make a claim. Many policies have exclusions, and it is not uncommon for endorsements or separate policies to be required for certain types of coverage.

For example, standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding, and insurance companies may impose moratoriums on increasing coverage before a hurricane. So checking your policy before a storm hits can help you ensure you have adequate coverage.

Storm insurance in Texas

In some counties along the Gulf Coast, wind damage is not covered by home insurance. This includes:

If you live in one of the counties mentioned above, you will need wind insurance to be financially protected from wind damage. It is also possible that homeowners in Brooks, Fort Bend, Goliad, Hardin, Harris, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Wells, Liberty, Live Oak, Orange, Victoria and Wharton County do not have wind protection through standard home insurance. You can purchase wind insurance through a private provider or the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

2. Inspect and maintain your roof before hurricane season

Roof damage is common during hurricanes, but you can take steps in advance to minimize the impact on your roof. Before hurricane season begins, inspect your roof. Look for missing or damaged roof shingles. It can also be helpful to check the slope of your roof to make sure it is steep enough to direct water away from your home.

3. Remove dirt and loose objects from your yard

Clearing yard debris and anchoring loose items can help protect against hurricane damage. Before hurricane season, take time to clear your property of anything that could blow around in high winds or be washed away in floods. Pay particular attention to air conditioners, gutters, antennas and satellite dishes. Secure items like patio furniture, wind chimes, and birdbaths that could destroy your home.

4. Yard and facility maintenance

Consider removing trees or plants within 20 feet of your home to prevent damage if they fall during a storm. Take care of basic lawn care, such as: B. filling low areas at risk of flooding and removing overgrown branches.

5. Have a working generator

It is not uncommon for power outages to occur due to hurricanes. Therefore, it can be helpful to have a generator on hand to power your refrigerator and other appliances. Generators should be placed in an open location outside of your home, ideally a garage or shed.

6. If you have an above ground swimming pool, drain it and store it

Hurricanes can cause heavy rains and flooding, which can easily flood your pool and cause water overflow. In strong winds, above ground pools or pool covers can even become projectiles.

7. Prepare an emergency kit and evacuation strategy

As hurricane season approaches, make sure your emergency kit is stocked with supplies like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit. Store important documents such as birth certificates, passports and insurance information in a waterproof, accessible container. If you have pets, your emergency kit should also include supplies such as food, medication, leashes, and carrier bags for transport if needed. Develop an evacuation plan with established routes and destinations in the event that officials issue an evacuation order. Planning ahead will help ensure that you and your loved ones, including pets, can quickly escape the hurricane and stay safe.

Hurricane Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

• Does staying in an area with a high hurricane risk affect my insurance premium?

  The location of your home and the associated weather-related risks can have a big impact on your home insurance premiums. This is because areas with a high risk of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tropical storms and wildfires typically result in large losses for insurance companies. Therefore, insurers try to reduce their risk by charging higher home insurance premiums to those who buy properties in such areas.

• Is flood insurance included in home contents insurance?

  A standard home insurance policy does not include flood insurance. If you live in an area where there is a high risk of flooding due to hurricanes or other factors, you may need to purchase separate flood insurance to ensure your finances are protected from losses due to flooding.

• How long does hurricane season last in Texas?

  Hurricane season in Texas runs from June 1st to November 30th. This corresponds to the Atlantic hurricane season, when tropical cyclone activity peaks in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season in Texas lasts six months and typically peaks in August through October.