Natural Disaster Risk in Highlands
Texas
Risk Summary for Highlands
Highlands scores 8.7/10 (Very High risk), above the U.S. average of 4.5. The leading hazard is Cold Wave.
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Scores
How it compares
Live Conditions
🏠 What this means for insurance
High-risk area — review your coverage carefully
Properties in very high-risk areas often require specialized coverage that standard homeowners policies do not include. Consider flood insurance through the NFIP, wildfire-specific endorsements, or earthquake riders depending on your top hazards. Premiums in these areas can be significantly higher than average.
This is general information only. Consult a licensed insurance professional for advice specific to your property.
Natural Hazard Profile: Highlands, Texas
Highlands is a town of roughly 8,914 residents in Harris County, along the Gulf Coast. The area experiences an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west, with overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons shaping the pattern of natural hazards that residents encounter. Understanding the local risk profile is essential for anyone living in, moving to, or owning property in Highlands.
FEMA rates Highlands's composite natural disaster risk at 8.7 out of 10 — very high risk. Cold wave events are the primary hazard risk, driven by periodic invasions of Arctic air that drive wind chills to life-threatening levels and stress heating systems. Residents should also account for heat and hurricane risk in their preparedness planning.
Highlands's risk score, considerably above the 5.6/10 state average and well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. Of the 18 hazard categories tracked by FEMA for Harris County, the highest-scoring are cold wave, heat, and hurricane. These scores reflect county-level data and represent the baseline risk that all communities in the county share.
Given Highlands's very high risk classification, residents should treat disaster preparedness as a year-round priority. This means maintaining updated homeowners and flood insurance, building a 72-hour emergency kit, knowing the evacuation routes for the primary hazards, and signing up for local emergency alert systems.
What this means for Highlands: Cold Wave preparedness
- Protect pipes, pets, and plants, and ensure heating systems are serviced before winter.
- Keep emergency heat and supplies ready in case of cold-related power outages.
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
Local Factors for Highlands
These city-level factors differentiate Highlands from other communities in Harris County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
8,914
Small TownGeographic Zone
Gulf Coast
Hurricane, surge & flood risk
Climate Band
Warm Subtropical
Latitude 29.8°
Flood Terrain
Minimal — county topography limits flood risk
Flood score: 1.0/10
Wildfire Exposure
Moderate — seasonal fire risk
Fire score: 8.7/10
Coordinates
29.8292° N, 95.0547° W
Harris County
Population and coordinates from SimpleMaps US Cities data. Hazard scores from FEMA National Risk Index. Geographic classification derived from coordinates.
Recent Climate Data for Highlands
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in Highlands
Other cities in Texas
Data source: FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Scores normalized to 1–10 across all US counties. City scores inherit county-level FEMA data. For informational purposes only.