They say everything is bigger in Texas, sometimes including the risk of natural disasters. Due to the state’s large size, location, and varied geography, businesses could face one or more natural disasters each year on top of the extreme heat that often occurs. Knowing the risk based on your location and time of year can help you prepare to minimize the damage and cost of extreme weather to your company.
1. Hurricanes
Aside from Florida, no other state sees as many hurricanes as Texas. Massive rainfall can cause flooding and water damage, while the high winds of a hurricane can damage property. Furthermore, hurricanes can impact utilities, leaving businesses without the running water or electricity necessary to continue operating. And when hurricanes are bad enough to knock out other infrastructure, businesses can become isolated from clients or associates.
2. Wildfires
Wildfires are the most likely to happen during spring or autumn, although they can happen at any time of the year, especially in particularly dry and hot summers. The panhandle is most likely to experience fires during March, while the Southern Plains have a greater risk of fire during La Niña. And while it might not seem common sense to most, other tropical storms can worsen fires due to winds spreading the fire. Fires can decimate businesses as quickly as forests, and they threaten health and life, too.
3. Tornadoes
While Texas may not come to mind when most people think of tornadoes, the state’s yearly average is just under 150 tornadoes. Texas’s large size and location means plenty of opportunity for destructive high winds of a tornado. Most of these happen during spring and early summer. Red River Valley in the north of the state gets more tornadoes than most other parts of the state, so businesses should be aware of the risk.
4. Flooding
Most of Texas is considered a flood zone because of its geography, but the source of a flood differs by location. For example, coastal flooding impacts cities like Houston, whereas the eastern San Antonio suburbs are more likely to experience flooding from the Guadalupe River. Texans may also be impacted by urban and flash flooding during extreme rainfall, including tropical storms. A prior drought, which can happen during extreme heat, may increase the risk of a flash flood when the ground can’t absorb the water. Separate flood insurance may be required in addition to business insurance for Texas businesses to be fully covered.
5. Severe Storms
Finally, Texas business owners should know the risk of severe storms, which may come with or cause other natural disasters. However, a strong thunderstorm can cause costly damage, especially if it includes hail or lightning. In Texas, storms are the most common from March through May and in the northern region. But storms have been known to happen throughout the entire state and in the off-season, so it’s best to be prepared.
Natural disasters and extreme weather can happen suddenly, so businesses must be prepared for them ahead of time.
