What A Strong El Niño Could Mean For Texas Homeowners This Winter

DALLAS, Texas (TXAN 24) — Texas homeowners could face an increased risk of heavy rain and flooding this winter if a strengthening El Niño pattern produces repeated storms across the state.

California declared a statewide emergency Monday ahead of potentially severe El Niño-related weather, according to a pitch from resilience engineer Aris Papadopoulos and his communications team. Papadopoulos is the founding chair of the Resilience Action Fund and a resilience expert at Florida International University.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s winter outlook is also cited in the pitch as favoring wetter-than-normal conditions across Texas from December through February.

Papadopoulos says homeowners should use the next several weeks to evaluate how their properties would handle prolonged rainfall, rather than waiting for a major storm to arrive.

His recommended preparations include inspecting roofs and drainage systems, improving water diversion around the home, considering flood barriers and evaluating backup power needs.

Flood risk is also an important consideration for Texas homebuyers. The state’s required seller disclosure form asks sellers of previously occupied single-family residences to disclose known conditions including previous water penetration from natural flooding, flood insurance coverage, certain floodplain designations and prior flood-damage claims.

Papadopoulos argues that homeowners should look beyond whether a property sits inside a federally designated flood zone and consider the property’s broader exposure to heavy rainfall and drainage problems.

For buyers, he recommends discussing potential insurance costs before making an offer. Insurance availability and pricing can become a significant part of the financial picture when purchasing a home in an area vulnerable to flooding or other severe weather.

Papadopoulos’ broader message is that homeowners should view resilience as preparation rather than a response to disaster.

For Texans, that could mean using the weeks before winter weather arrives to identify drainage problems, review insurance coverage and determine how the home would perform during an extended period of heavy rain.