What's the likelihood that Houston will get another catastrophic hurricane or something just as bad? (Dallas: apartment, renting)

[simon22]

I'm strongly considering moving to Houston but this factor kind of deters me. Don't get me wrong - I don't mind rain or storms (in fact I prefer that kind of weather) BUT I'm more worried about hurricanes and catastrophic flooding/storm damage to residence.

I'm between Denver and Houston but this factor kind of makes me want to go with Denver.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

It will happen eventually. Could be 2 years or 50 years. The problem in Houston is usually more of the response and lack of proper infrastructure and preparation. It has got a lot better since Harvey, but the question is why did we have to wait for Harvey to know something will eventually happen. And now that time has passed, news cycles shifted and peoples minds are on other things (such as COVID), the preparation and awareness has started coming down again.

Depending on your situation, if you want to live in Houston and avoid hurricane damage as much as possible, you’d be better off in Conroe or Woodlands area not only because it’s further away from the coast but also because it’s better prepared.

For obvious reasons, those places are more expensive than other parts of the metro.

[mojo101]

I think we will be better prepared when it comes,insulating pipes,I may stay up all night and keep water running,so I will have a high water bill but better than having the ceiling of my kitchen,garage,bedrooms all collapsed!

[gwarnecke]

To some degree, flooding risk can be minimized (buy a house on relatively high ground, ideally near the boundary of two watersheds and/or in a recently built community with good drainage). Winter storm damage can be avoided by draining your pipes and having a backup power and heating solution.

A direct hit from a hurricane is a bit scarier...not much you can do to defend your home other than keeping nearby trees trimmed and buying a set of storm shutters. The worst hurricane I've been through in Houston in terms of wind damage was Ike. It hit just east of Houston but did cause widespread and not insignificant damage.

I've gotta say - it would be tough to turn down Denver for Houston if you have a choice between them, unless you can't stand snow/ice/cold weather.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

To some degree, flooding risk can be minimized (buy a house on relatively high ground, ideally near the boundary of two watersheds and/or in a recently built community with good drainage). Winter storm damage can be avoided by draining your pipes and having a backup power and heating solution.

A direct hit from a hurricane is a bit scarier...not much you can do to defend your home other than keeping nearby trees trimmed and buying a set of storm shutters. The worst hurricane I've been through in Houston in terms of wind damage was Ike. It hit just east of Houston but did cause widespread and not insignificant damage.

I've gotta say - it would be tough to turn down Denver for Houston if you have a choice between them, unless you can't stand snow/ice/cold weather.

I will never understand what people like about Denver.

[simon22]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

I've gotta say - it would be tough to turn down Denver for Houston if you have a choice between them, unless you can't stand snow/ice/cold weather.

I don't mind snow/ice/cold at all but I also don't mind rain and storms either. Weather isn't an important factor to me at all unless it's catastrophic weather.

Affordability is the most important factor to me and Houston is clearly the cheaper one BUT having to go through a hurricane that damages all your stuff/residence doesn't sound affordable all that much either.

Also, I can't see myself owning a house in either place soon. I only make $50k a year, have poor credit and student loan debt. So I'll likely be renting an apartment - preferably alone but if not then with one roommate.

[SanJac]

Originally Posted by simon22

I'm strongly considering moving to Houston but this factor kind of deters me. Don't get me wrong - I don't mind rain or storms (in fact I prefer that kind of weather) BUT I'm more worried about hurricanes and catastrophic flooding/storm damage to residence.

I'm between Denver and Houston but this factor kind of makes me want to go with Denver.

Houston gets a hurricane about every 20 years. Harvey was unusual in that it dropped record level amounts of rainfall which caused excessive flooding. Even so, a majority of Houston residents were not impacted by house flooding.

Risks are low for "catastrophic" damage to your residence but if you are that risk averse then don't move anywhere along the Gulf Coast.

[simon22]

Originally Posted by SanJac

Houston gets a hurricane about every 20 years. Harvey was unusual in that it dropped record level amounts of rainfall which caused excessive flooding. Even so, a majority of Houston residents were not impacted by house flooding.

Risks are low for "catastrophic" damage to your residence but if you are that risk averse then don't move anywhere along the Gulf Coast.

Idk if I'm risk averse BUT I'm accident prone and kind of have bad luck in general.

[mojo101]

Originally Posted by SanJac

Houston gets a hurricane about every 20 years. Harvey was unusual in that it dropped record level amounts of rainfall which caused excessive flooding. Even so, a majority of Houston residents were not impacted by house flooding.

Risks are low for "catastrophic" damage to your residence but if you are that risk averse then don't move anywhere along the Gulf Coast.

I am outside Houston in Richmond along 1093,many of my neighbors have suffered serious damage,Houston residents suffered worse.
You can go to Youtube and watch some of the flooding in Houston during Harvey

[mojo101]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

I will never understand what people like about Denver.

IT IS not fair to compare Houston with Denver,2 different cities,Houston is much diverse,much bigger,if you like big city living,hot weather than it is for you.
You can easily go to Galveston,Dallas,San Anthonio,Corpus Christie and even New Orelans .