HAIL Hailstorms, a severe thunderstorm phenomenon, occur when ice crystals form and accumulate in low-pressure fronts, eventually falling as ice masses larger than 0.75 inches. The size of hailstones depends on storm severity and updraft strength, which is influenced by surface heating. From 2018 to 2020, Texas had the most hail loss claims in the […]
LIGHTNING Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by the buildup of positive and negative charges in a thunderstorm, creating intense bolts that can reach temperatures of up to 50,000°F. These flashes, occurring within clouds or between clouds and the ground, cause rapid heating and cooling of the air, which produces thunder. Lightning can strike even […]
WILDFIRE Wildfires, which often occur in dry summer conditions, can spread rapidly through vegetation. They may start as small fires on the forest floor and gain speed when they reach tree canopies, with dense smoke being a key early warning sign. Wildfires can begin from unnoticed sources like improperly extinguished campfires, discarded cigarettes, burning debris, […]
WINTER STORM A severe winter storm involves snow, ice, or freezing rain and can cause significant issues. These storms often include freezing rain, sleet, snow, and strong winds, with low wind chills from high winds and freezing temperatures. In Houston, winter storms usually start with cold fronts from Canada. While ice hazards, extremely cold temperatures, […]
TORNADO Tornadoes are extremely violent storms featuring rapidly rotating columns of air that connect clouds to the earth’s surface. The strongest tornadoes can have wind speeds over 250 mph, occasionally reaching 300 mph, and cause damage paths over a mile wide and 50 miles long. The most powerful tornadoes are produced by supercell thunderstorms. These […]
EXPANSIVE SOILS Expansive soils, rich in clay minerals like smectite, swell when absorbing water and shrink when drying out. This volume change can damage buildings and structures by exerting pressure or reducing support. During droughts, these soils contract, potentially harming structures. When moisture returns, the soil expands again, creating a cycle of stress. This issue […]
DAM FAILURE Dam failure occurs when a dam collapses or shifts, releasing large amounts of water that can endanger lives and property. Dams are built from materials like earth, rock, and concrete, considering factors such as height and reservoir volume. Common causes of dam failure include overtopping, foundation defects, cracking, poor maintenance, and internal erosion […]
THUNDERSTORM/ WIND Thunderstorms can produce extreme wind events, including straight-line winds. Wind is caused by differences in air pressure, with higher pressure pushing toward lower pressure. The greater the pressure difference, the stronger the wind. Thunderstorms form when heat and moisture near the Earth’s surface rise to the upper atmosphere, producing clouds, precipitation, and wind. […]
DROUGHT Drought is an extended period of low rainfall that can last from one year to the next. It affects all climatic regions and results from a significant reduction in precipitation over time, typically a season or more. Droughts are complex and can be classified into meteorological, hydrologic, agricultural, and socioeconomic types. Droughts are hard […]
Extreme Heat Extreme heat involves prolonged high temperatures and high humidity. In Houston, extended heat waves are common, with urban heat islands causing temperatures to be 1-7°F higher than surrounding areas. Houston is the fourth most intense city in the U.S. for this effect. Heat can damage buildings, but it primarily poses serious health risks, […]
