SETX Directory

Southeast Texas Weather & Climate Guide

Southeast Texas has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and some of the highest annual rainfall in Texas (55-60 inches). The region is vulnerable to Gulf hurricanes and major flooding.

93°F
Avg July High
41°F
Avg Jan Low
58"
Annual Rainfall
82%
Summer Humidity

Monthly Climate Data — Beaumont, TX

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfallHumidity
Jan60°F41°F4.2"72%
Feb63°F44°F3.8"71%
Mar71°F51°F3.4"72%
Apr78°F59°F3.6"74%
May85°F67°F5.1"78%
Jun91°F73°F5.8"82%
Jul93°F75°F4.5"82%
Aug93°F74°F4.2"82%
Sep88°F68°F5.4"79%
Oct79°F57°F4.8"74%
Nov70°F50°F4.4"74%
Dec62°F43°F4.2"73%

Hurricane & Major Storm History

Hurricane Harvey (2017)

Landfall: Rockport, TX (Aug 25) — then stalled over Houston/SETX

Cat 4Category60"+ (highest ever recorded in US history)Rainfall

Catastrophic flooding across Jefferson, Hardin, and surrounding counties. Estimated $125 billion in damage — second costliest US hurricane ever. Beaumont lost municipal water for several days. Massive FEMA response.

Hurricane Rita (2005)

Landfall: Sabine Pass / Cameron, LA border (Sep 24)

Cat 5Category8-12"Rainfall

Category 5 at peak intensity (185 mph winds), one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record. Made landfall near Sabine Pass as Cat 3. Caused massive evacuations and significant damage to Southeast Texas coastal areas. Followed Hurricane Katrina by weeks.

Hurricane Ike (2008)

Landfall: Galveston/Bolivar Peninsula (Sep 13)

Cat 2Category15-20"Rainfall

Massive storm surge (up to 20 feet on Bolivar Peninsula) devastated coastal Southeast Texas. Significant damage in Jefferson and Orange counties. Galveston severely damaged. Power outages lasting weeks across SETX.

Tropical Storm Imelda (2019)

Landfall: Southeast Texas inland (Sep 17-20)

Cat 0Category44"Rainfall

Slow-moving tropical moisture system dropped up to 44 inches in parts of Jefferson and Chambers counties. Fifth-costliest flood disaster in Texas history. Beaumont and surrounding areas experienced severe flooding two years after Harvey.

FEMA Flood Zones in Southeast Texas

Zone AE (High Risk)

100-year floodplain. Flood insurance required for federally-backed mortgages. Significant portions of Beaumont, Port Arthur, and coastal areas.

Zone X (Moderate)

500-year floodplain. Insurance not required but highly recommended. Many Zone X areas flooded during Harvey. Most suburban SETX communities.

Zone X (Minimal)

Lower risk areas. Includes parts of Lumberton, Nederland upland areas. Still recommended to carry flood insurance given regional pattern.

Check your property's flood zone at msc.fema.gov. Flood zone maps were updated after Harvey and may not reflect current risk.

Local Weather Resource: theSTAN.com

theSTAN.com (Southeast Texas Area News) is the most trusted local weather and emergency information resource in the region. During storm events, their hyperlocal updates on road flooding, shelter openings, and evacuation zones are faster and more specific than national weather services.

Visit theSTAN.com

8-Step Hurricane & Flood Preparedness Checklist

1

Know Your Flood Zone

Check FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) for your property's flood zone. AE zones require flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages. Even X (moderate) zones flooded during Harvey.

2

Buy Flood Insurance

Standard homeowner's insurance does NOT cover flooding. Purchase NFIP or private flood insurance. There is a 30-day waiting period — buy before hurricane season, not during a watch.

3

Build a 72-Hour Kit

Water (1 gallon/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, portable phone chargers, cash, important documents in waterproof container.

4

Plan Your Evacuation Route

Know Zone A/B/C evacuation orders. Primary routes: I-10 West (Beaumont to Houston), US-96 North (to Lufkin). Identify out-of-area contacts for check-ins. Pre-identify pet-friendly shelters.

5

Follow theSTAN.com

theSTAN.com (Southeast Texas Area News) is the premier local weather and emergency information resource. Follow them before, during, and after any storm event. They provide hyperlocal SETX coverage faster than national services.

6

Charge Everything Before a Storm

Fully charge phones, portable battery packs, and vehicles (EVs especially). Have a generator with fresh fuel. Consider a whole-home natural gas generator if you can afford it — power outages can last weeks.

7

Secure or Remove Outdoor Items

Bring in or secure patio furniture, grills, trampolines, and other items that can become projectiles in high winds. Trim trees that could fall on your home before storm season.

8

Register Special Needs Residents

Jefferson, Orange, and Hardin County special needs registries help emergency services prioritize evacuation assistance for residents who need help. Register before storm season at your county emergency management office.

Emergency Resources

Jefferson County Emergency Management(409) 835-8538
Orange County Emergency Management(409) 882-7050
Hardin County Emergency Management(409) 246-5145
NWS Lake Charles (SETX)weather.gov/lch
Texas Division of Emergency Managementtdem.texas.gov
FEMA Flood Map Service Centermsc.fema.gov

Southeast Texas Weather — FAQ

Does Southeast Texas flood?

Yes. Southeast Texas has significant flooding risk from its flat coastal plain, high annual rainfall (55-60 inches), and tropical storm vulnerability. Hurricane Harvey (2017) dropped a record 60 inches causing catastrophic flooding. Tropical Storm Imelda (2019) dropped 44 inches two years later. Buyers should check FEMA flood zones and carry flood insurance. Many areas require flood insurance for mortgages.

What is the weather like in Southeast Texas year-round?

Southeast Texas has a humid subtropical climate. Winters are mild (Jan average high 60 degrees F, low 41 degrees F), with rare freezes. Springs are warm and pleasant. Summers are brutally hot and humid — July averages 93 degrees F high with 82% humidity. Fall brings relief starting in October. Annual rainfall is 55-60 inches, among the highest in Texas. Hurricane season is June through November.

When is hurricane season in Southeast Texas?

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, with peak activity from August through October. Southeast Texas is in a vulnerable area — the Gulf Coast has been hit by Harvey (2017), Rita (2005), Ike (2008), and Imelda (2019) in recent decades. Residents should have emergency supplies ready from June onward.

What is the best weather resource for Southeast Texas?

theSTAN.com (Southeast Texas Area News) is the most trusted local weather and emergency information resource for the region, providing hyperlocal coverage faster than national outlets. The National Weather Service office in Lake Charles (weather.gov/lch) covers Southeast Texas. KFDM and KBMT news stations provide local weather. The NWS Houston/Galveston office also covers parts of SETX.

Does Southeast Texas get tornadoes?

Yes. Southeast Texas is in a tornado-prone corridor, though tornadoes are less frequent than in North Texas or Oklahoma. The region sees tornado watches and warnings several times per year, often associated with Gulf Coast thunderstorm systems. Spring (March through May) and fall are the primary tornado seasons. Severe thunderstorms with large hail and strong straight-line winds are more common than tornadoes.