Natural Disaster Risk in South Houston
Texas
Risk Summary for South Houston
South Houston 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: South Houston, Texas
South Houston, in Harris County, is a city of approximately 16,033 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 South Houston residents and property owners must navigate.
South Houston's overall natural disaster risk is rated 8.7/10 (Very 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 heat and hurricane.
Within Texas, South Houston'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 Harris County identifies cold wave as the foremost hazard, followed by heat and hurricane. These rankings reflect the relative frequency and severity of each hazard type in the local environment.
Given South Houston'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 South Houston: Cold Wave preparedness
- Dress in layers and limit exposure during extreme cold to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.
- 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.
Local Factors for South Houston
These city-level factors differentiate South Houston from other communities in Harris County and provide geographic context for its hazard exposure.
Population
16,033
SuburbanGeographic Zone
Gulf Coast
Hurricane, surge & flood risk
Climate Band
Warm Subtropical
Latitude 29.7°
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
29.6612° N, 95.2287° 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 South Houston
Last 12 months · Source: Open-Meteo archive
Notable Weather Days (last 12 months)
ZIP Codes in South Houston
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.