Report: Texas gets an 'F' for climate risk readiness Study ranks Lone Star State at the bottom of 50 states

A line of strong storms Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 brought heavy rain and rapidly falling temperatures to the Houston area. A line of strong storms Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015 brought heavy rain and rapidly falling temperatures to the Houston area. Photo: Cody Duty | Houston Chronicle Photo: Cody Duty | Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Report: Texas gets an 'F' for climate risk readiness 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

GALVESTON – Texas is one of the five states least-prepared for risks from extreme weather caused by climate change, according to a report from the States at Risk Project.

Texas received an overall "F" in planning to prepare for extreme weather in the report, "States at Risk: America's Preparedness Report Card." The Lone Star State received the "F" grade for being unprepared to deal with extreme heat, "D-" for its drought preparations, "D" for wildfires and "D+" for coastal flooding.

The other least-prepared states were Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Nevada. The top-ranked states receiving an "A" or "A-" were California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania.

Texas also was listed as one of the three states facing the most extreme weather changes. The other two were California and Florida.

The report's findings include:

–Texas averages the greatest number of days of extreme heat classified as dangerous or extremely dangerous, more than 60. The number is expected to grow to 115 days annually by 2050, second only to Florida.

–Texas ranks first among the 36 states rated for drought severity.

–Texas is expected to remain the most drought-affected state in the nation by 2050 and the severity of widespread drought is projected to be far above average.

–Texas has the largest number of people living in areas vulnerable to wildfires, more than 18 million -- or 70 percent of the state's population.

–Texas is projected to be the state affected most severely by wildfires by 2050, a threat level far above average.

The report was prepared by ICF International, a Virginia-based consulting firm, and Climate Central, a nonprofit group of scientists and journalists that reports on climate change.

More information is available at www.statesatrisk.org