Natural Disaster Risk in Houston

Natural Hazard Profile: Houston, Alabama

Houston, in Winston County, is a small community of about 1,203 situated in the interior eastern United States. Its humid subtropical climate brings hot, humid summers and mild winters typical of the Deep South, and in particular an active spring tornado season. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Houston residents and property owners must navigate.

Houston's overall natural disaster risk is rated 6.1/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. The area faces significant landslide risk, where mountainous topography and saturated soils during wet periods combine to create hazardous mass movement conditions. Secondary hazards include earthquake and tornado.

Within Alabama, Houston's risk is, near the 6.0/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Winston County identifies landslide as the foremost hazard, followed by earthquake and tornado. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Houston residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for landslide and secondary hazards, registering for emergency alerts, and maintaining a household emergency kit are practical steps that can significantly reduce impact during a major event.