A hurricane is a powerful, rotating storm system known technically as a tropical cyclone when it reaches sustained wind speeds of 74 miles per hour. The short answer to whether hurricanes hit Texas is yes, as the state’s Gulf Coast is one of the most frequently struck areas in the United States. Texas holds the distinction of being the state with the second-highest number of hurricane landfalls, making the risk a continuous concern for its coastal and inland populations. This threat requires residents and officials to maintain a high level of preparedness throughout the tropical season.
Historical Frequency and Notable Landfalls
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with the most active period for Texas occurring between August and October. Historically, the Texas coastline experiences a tropical cyclone—a tropical storm or hurricane—landfall three times every four years. Any 50-mile segment of the coast can expect a hurricane to make landfall about once every six years.
These statistics are punctuated by events that have profoundly shaped the state’s history and infrastructure. The Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900 remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, striking as a Category 4 storm and causing an estimated 8,000 fatalities, primarily due to a massive storm surge. More recently, Hurricane Harvey in 2017 demonstrated the danger of slow-moving storms, dropping nearly 50 inches of rain in some areas and causing an estimated $125 billion in damage. Hurricane Ike in 2008, while only a Category 2 at landfall near Galveston, brought an immense storm surge that caused widespread destruction along the Upper Coast.
Geographic Vulnerability of the Texas Coast
The geography of the Texas coast significantly amplifies the destructive potential of an approaching hurricane. The coastline is generally low-lying, consisting of barrier islands, shallow bays, and vast, flat plains. This lack of significant elevation means that storm surge can penetrate far inland, especially in the Upper Coast region near Galveston and Houston.
The shallow continental shelf, or bathymetry, extending into the Gulf of Mexico, especially off the Upper Coast, acts like a ramp. This gently sloping seabed allows storm winds to pile up seawater and push it toward the shore, resulting in a much higher storm surge than would be seen on a coast with a steeper drop-off. The highest concentration of landfalls occurs between Corpus Christi and Galveston, where high population density coincides with this vulnerable geography. Storms that strike the lower coastline, such as near Corpus Christi and Brownsville, often track more westward, while those impacting the upper coast frequently curve northeast.
Understanding the Specific Threats
Hurricane damage is a combination of distinct physical elements.
Storm Surge
Storm surge is an abnormal rise of water generated by the storm’s winds pushing water onshore over and above the predicted astronomical tide. This wall of water can reach heights well over 20 feet in extreme cases, causing catastrophic coastal inundation and accounting for the majority of hurricane-related fatalities.
High Winds
High winds are measured using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. While Texas has not recorded a Category 5 landfall since 1851, the sustained winds of Category 3 and 4 storms, ranging from 111 to over 156 miles per hour, can demolish mobile homes and cause structural failure in buildings. Wind damage can extend well inland, impacting communities far from the immediate coast.
Inland Flooding
Extreme inland flooding is caused by torrential rainfall. Unlike storm surge, which affects the immediate coast, rain-induced flooding can devastate communities hundreds of miles from where the storm made landfall. Slow-moving systems, such as Hurricane Harvey, can stall and drop staggering amounts of precipitation over several days, overwhelming drainage systems and causing rivers and streams to overflow their banks. This widespread, persistent flooding is a major risk for inland Texas cities.