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Hurricane Risk for Brownsville, TX

No tropical storms currently threaten the Brownsville area. The next one could form quickly though — get alerts before they make the news.

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On this page
  1. By the numbers
  2. Most recent hurricane
  3. Strongest ever
  4. Closest approach
  5. When hurricanes hit
  6. Recent notable storms
  7. Preparedness

Since 1854, 107 hurricanes and tropical storms have passed within 150 miles of Brownsville. Here's what you should know.

Local note: Sitting at the southern tip of Texas on the upper Laguna Madre with very low elevation, Brownsville is especially vulnerable to storm surge and catastrophic coastal flooding — recent impacts from Hurricane Beryl (2024) and repeated landfalling storms underscore surge and wind as the defining hazards.

By the numbers

Total storms
107
since 1854
Major (Cat 3+)
21
at closest approach
Hurricanes (Cat 1+)
56
all categories
County
Cameron County
Texas

Most recent hurricane

Beryl (2024)

Passed within 134 miles of Brownsville on July 07, 2024. Peak intensity: Cat 5 (167 mph).

Strongest hurricane ever to pass nearby

Allen (1980)

Reached Cat 5 (190 mph) at its peak. Passed within 23 miles of Brownsville.

Closest approach ever

Unnamed (1857)

Passed just 4.7 miles from Brownsville on September 30, 1857.

When hurricanes hit Brownsville

Distribution across the calendar year, based on every storm in the 150-mile radius since 1854:

Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
0
Apr
0
May
0
Jun
19
Jul
14
Aug
30
Sep
36
Oct
7
Nov
1
Dec
0

Peak months are August through October, when the Atlantic season is most active. June, July, and November are secondary risk months.

Prep your supplies before the storm is named

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Recent notable storms (last 20 years)

Hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 200 miles in the last 20 years — these are the ones Brownsville residents likely remember:

Storm Year Peak Closest Date
Beryl 2024 Cat 5 134 mi Jul 07, 2024
Francine 2024 Cat 2 145 mi Sep 10, 2024
Nicholas 2021 Cat 1 51 mi Sep 13, 2021
Hanna 2020 Cat 1 53 mi Jul 25, 2020
Harvey 2017 Cat 4 110 mi Aug 25, 2017
Ingrid 2013 Cat 1 155 mi Sep 16, 2013
Alex 2010 Cat 2 114 mi Jul 01, 2010
Dolly 2008 Cat 2 33 mi Jul 23, 2008
Humberto 2007 Cat 1 182 mi Sep 12, 2007

Preparedness

  1. Know your zone. Brownsville is in Cameron County — look up your evacuation zone here.
  2. Get alerts early. Sign up below — we'll notify you when storms first form in the basin, not just when they're at your doorstep.
  3. Have 3+ days of supplies. Water (1 gal/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash.
  4. Have an evacuation plan. Know where you'll go, how you'll get there, what you'll bring.
  5. Follow official orders. If your zone is told to evacuate, leave. Don't wait.