Port Arthur, TX
Local storm history & FEMA National Risk Index data
Port Arthur is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk — higher risk than most US counties — based on FEMA's National Risk Index for Jefferson County, TX. The county's highest-rated hazards are lightning, tornado, and hurricane.
Storm events near Port Arthur
NOAA-recorded tornado, hail, and flood events within 25 miles of Port Arthur's center, 2016–2026 — the only hazards NOAA reports with exact coordinates, so these counts are specific to Port Arthur itself, not the whole county.
County-wide hazard risk
Every other hazard FEMA and NOAA track — including drought — is only scored at the county level. These are Jefferson County's FEMA National Risk Index scores, covering Port Arthur along with the rest of the county, not a Port Arthur-specific figure.
| Hazard | NRI score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | 92.4 | Relatively Moderate |
| Inland Flooding | 91.3 | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flooding | 78.8 | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | 66.3 | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | 92.7 | Relatively Moderate |
| Tornado | 98.5 | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | — | Not Applicable |
| Cold Wave | 96.6 | Relatively High |
| Drought | 87.6 | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | 65.7 | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | 98.2 | Very High |
| Ice Storm | 94.3 | Relatively High |
| Landslide | 25.4 | Very Low |
| Lightning | 99.7 | Very High |
| Strong Wind | 84.1 | Relatively High |
| Tsunami | — | Insufficient Data |
| Volcanic Activity | — | Not Applicable |
| Winter Weather | 71.7 | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20.0, December 2025. See the methodology page for definitions, or the full Jefferson County risk profile for disaster declarations, social vulnerability, and climate projection data.
Other cities in Jefferson County:
More on Jefferson County:
Frequently asked questions
What natural hazards is Port Arthur, TX at risk of?
Port Arthur is rated Relatively High for overall natural hazard risk by FEMA's National Risk Index — higher risk than most US counties. The highest-rated hazards for Jefferson County, where Port Arthur is located, are lightning, tornado, and hurricane.
What is Port Arthur's biggest natural hazard risk?
Lightning is the highest-rated hazard for Jefferson County, where Port Arthur is located, scoring 99.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (rated "Very High").
Is Port Arthur a high-risk area for natural disasters?
Yes — Port Arthur carries higher risk than most US counties for overall natural hazard risk, per FEMA's National Risk Index rating of "Relatively High" for Jefferson County.
Has Port Arthur had tornadoes, hail, or flooding?
NOAA has recorded 18 tornado, 29 hail, 76 inland flooding events within 25 miles of Port Arthur since 2016.