Recent Environmental Hazard Incidents in Texas
- Air quality was impacted as a result of explosions and a fire at a Port Neches chemical manufacturing plant
- Potentially carcinogenic chemicals released into air
- Poor water quality following Hurricane Harvey
- Increase in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) linked to autoimmune diseases and diseases of the skin and liver
- Boil water notices
- October 2019 tornado outbreak in and around Dallas caused $2 billion in damages
- Costliest tornado outbreak in state history
Risk Factors for Natural Hazards in Texas
The potential for extremely costly or damaging hazards and disasters in Texas is exacerbated by:
- Poor drainage systems
- Fracking
- State’s geological makeup
- State’s geography
- Increased urbanization, particularly in coastal areas
