While looking into Irving, I came across some surprising information.

According to a study by WalletHub comparing the risk of natural disasters in U.S. cities, Irving was classified as the city with the highest risk of natural disasters.

Even more interesting is that Grand Prairie right next door ranked second, and Arlington came in third.

You might think, "Why is that? DFW isn't a coastal area directly hit by hurricanes," but experiencing the weather here makes it clear.

The issue in Irving isn't just one type of disaster. There are multiple risks, including severe thunderstorms, hail, flash floods, tornadoes, strong winds, and extreme heat in the summer. There are days when the sky turns dark in the afternoon after a clear morning, and your phone goes off with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.

First-time visitors to Texas might be shocked, but those who have lived here for a while check the radar first.

The scariest threat is definitely tornadoes. There have been confirmed cases of EF-1 tornadoes in Irving. When wind speeds exceed 100 mph, it's not just a "strong breeze." Roofs can be damaged, trees can fall, and even cars can be affected. If you thought tornadoes only occur in Oklahoma or rural Texas, you need to change that mindset. In a densely populated urban area like DFW, they don't just avoid it.

Additionally, hail is a frequent concern in Irving. Texas hail isn't just the pea-sized hail we might think of from Korea. On severe days, hail larger than a golf ball can fall, and there have been reports of hail exceeding 4 inches in the past. At that size, car hoods and roofs can get dented, and glass can be damaged.

That's why having a garage is so important when looking for a home in this area. Even if you rent an apartment, having covered parking or a garage can provide peace of mind. When the weather forecast mentions hail, you start worrying about your car parked outside. Considering the repair costs for a car, the monthly parking fee might not seem so bad.

Flooding is also something that shouldn't be ignored. In DFW, heavy rain can quickly submerge parts of the road. It's especially dangerous to think, "I have an SUV, so I can get through this," when you see a road covered in water. You can't see the depth of the water or the condition of the road.

However, that doesn't mean Irving is a city to be afraid of living in. The key is to understand the weather characteristics of the area. It's a good idea to keep your phone's emergency alert notifications on and to know where the safest spot in your home is when a tornado warning goes off. Whenever possible, park your car in a covered area and take detours around flooded roads during heavy rain.

In Texas, being prepared is more comfortable than thinking, "What could possibly happen to me?" In Irving, preparing for natural disasters isn't about grand survival plans; it's more about checking weather alerts, parking your car safely, and having a designated safe spot as part of your daily routine.