Storms that set records here
| Storm | What happened locally |
|---|---|
| Harvey, Aug 2017 | More than 40 in across Jefferson County and 60.58 in near Nederland, a US tropical-cyclone record; over 64,000 homes flooded (NWS) |
| Imelda, Sep 2019 | 44.29 in near Fannett, 31 in of it in 12 hours (NWS); four of six direct deaths were in Jefferson County (NHC) |
| Laura, Aug 2020 | Landfall at Cameron, LA; Orange took the worst Texas damage, with roofs torn off and two-thirds of the county without power (Texas Tribune) |
| Delta, Oct 2020 | Up to 108,891 Entergy Texas customers out, across its Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, Silsbee and Winnie networks (Entergy) |
Storm checklist for pool owners
- Leave the water at its normal level. An empty shell on wet clay can crack or lift.
- Shock the water a day ahead so debris doesn't turn it green as fast.
- Turn off breakers for the pump, heater, salt cell and lights. If flooding is likely, disconnect the pump and store it high (Pentair).
- Bring in furniture, umbrellas and toys.
- Afterward, check equipment before you turn the power back on, and book service early: crews fill up fast.
Designing for heavy rain
After Harvey and Imelda, drainage is part of the pool design. Ask for deck drains, a deck that slopes away from the house, an overflow line on the pool, and an equipment pad raised above the yard. If your lot took water in 2017 or 2019, tell the builder; it changes where the equipment and drains go.
Screen enclosures and insurance
Cages are less common here than in Florida but keep out leaves, mosquitoes and lovebugs. TWIA covers Jefferson County but lists metal screen enclosures as not covered unless the cage has its own WPI-8 certificate and appears on your declarations page (TWIA). Orange and Hardin counties are outside TWIA's first tier (TDI). Expect $14,000–32,000 for a wind-rated cage (our estimate from Fixr).
When to build
| Month | Rain (in) | Avg high (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.32 | 64 |
| February | 3.09 | 67 |
| March | 3.63 | 73 |
| April | 3.92 | 79 |
| May | 4.70 | 86 |
| June | 6.70 | 91 |
| July | 6.85 | 93 |
| August | 6.89 | 93 |
| September | 6.69 | 90 |
| October | 5.47 | 82 |
| November | 3.89 | 72 |
| December | 4.98 | 66 |
NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaumont–Port Arthur airport (NCEI). About 62 in of rain a year.
February through April is the driest stretch and comes before storm season, so a winter contract and a spring dig is the classic plan. November is dry too, but groundwater rises again by January.
Common questions
What should I do with the pool before a hurricane?
Keep it full; Pentair puts it plainly: "Pools are designed to be full at all times." Shock the water, switch off the breakers for the pump, heater and lights, and if flooding looks likely, unhook the pump and store it somewhere high (Pentair). Bring chairs and toys indoors.
Will insurance cover a screen enclosure?
In Jefferson County, maybe not automatically. TWIA lists metal screen enclosures as property it doesn't cover unless the cage has its own WPI-8 windstorm certificate and is listed on your policy (TWIA). Orange and Hardin counties sit outside the TWIA first tier (TDI), so ask your own insurer.
When should I start?
Sign over the winter and dig from February to April. Those are among the driest months at the Beaumont–Port Arthur airport, with about 3–4 in of rain each, against nearly 7 in a month from June to September (NOAA). A spring dig usually means swimming by early summer.
Sources & further reading
- NWS Lake Charles: Hurricane Harvey
- NWS Lake Charles: Tropical Storm Imelda
- NHC: Imelda report
- Texas Tribune: Laura in Orange (2020)
- Entergy Texas: Delta restoration (2020)
- Pentair: tropical storm pool protection
- TWIA: screen enclosures
- NOAA normals, Beaumont–Port Arthur
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.