Houston County storm damage likely to increase with growth, says emergency services

HOUSTON COUNTY — The forecast may show clearer skies this week, but summer storm season is still ahead. 

Local emergency management officials say they are starting to see storm impacts rise in urban areas due to population density. 

Houston County Emergency Management Agency Director Chris Stoner said that as the county becomes more densely populated, a storm could impact more people. As buildings continue to be constructed, there will be fewer drainage options for rainwater. 

Stoner said the agency averages 10 to 15 emergency responses after a severe storm, depending on impact. 

After a storm, the agency assesses damage and looks for potential road closures from downed trees and power lines. The fallen trees can also affect houses and vehicles. 

“The number of possibilities are endless on the types of responses that we may have. It’s all dictated by the type of weather event,” he said. 

Power infrastructure damage could also be an issue in the aftermath of a storm. Stoner goes back to population density, saying the more people in an area, the more demand for power.

He said smaller events, such as a transformer exploding, may affect up to 1,000 residents, whereas a decade ago, it would have only affected 500. 

Stoner said the biggest threat was wind speeds during the past two years of storms. He said there is also the occasional tornado threat, but the county has been lucky in not being severely impacted. 

“We’ve been fairly blessed. [Tornados] have hit neighboring counties a lot harder than they hit us but we’ve still seen our share of wind-related damages primarily from those severe thunderstorms that pop-up during the summertime,” he said. 

Staff Meteorologist Roddy Nixon serves as a weather liaison for the EMA. He said after severe weather, there is a risk of flash flooding and urban flooding. He said that this is due to the county’s rapid growth and location southwest of the fall line. 

There are many low-lying areas in Houston County where flooding can occur. To better prepare ahead of a weather event, Nixon advises those who live in a flood-prone area to consider flood insurance. 

Nixon served as a meteorologist at Robins Air Force Base for 45 years. During his time there, social science experiments showed people were not as prepared, since they did not believe adverse weather could happen to them. 

Nowadays, Nixon thinks social media makes it easier to see real-time events like storms and storm damage. But he still believes the public is not as alert or prepared as they ought to be. 

“After the event has taken place, we find out an ounce of preparedness would have helped withstand some of the impacts,” he said.

To receive real-time info, Stoner and Nixon encourage people to sign up for Houston Alerts. 

HEMA launched Houston Alerts in July 2025. The agency sends alerts through text, phone or email during severe weather or other emergencies, tied directly to the National Weather Service. 

Stoner believes the alert system is a great way to stay informed and Nixon believes preparedness is essential. 

“Everybody is looking for an absolute…There’s nothing absolute in [weather] except for sunrise and sunset. Everything else is a roll of the dice,” Nixon said. 

To sign up for Houston Alerts, visit the county’s website