Natural Disaster Risk in Kemah

Natural Hazard Profile: Kemah, Texas

Kemah, in Galveston County, is a town of roughly 6,943 residents situated along the Gulf Coast. Its diverse climate brings an exceptionally varied climate from humid subtropical in the east to desert in the west, and in particular overlapping tornado, hurricane, flood, and drought seasons. These conditions collectively define the natural hazard environment that Kemah residents and property owners must navigate.

Kemah's overall natural disaster risk is rated 7.4/10 (High) by FEMA's National Risk Index. 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. Secondary hazards include coastal flood and hurricane.

Within Texas, Kemah's risk is, considerably above the 5.6/10 state average. Nationally, it ranks well above the U.S. national average of 4.5/10. FEMA's analysis of Galveston County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by coastal flood and hurricane. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.

With a high natural disaster risk rating, Kemah residents benefit from taking preparedness seriously. Reviewing insurance coverage for cold wave 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.