HOUSTON – The FIFA 2026 World Cup is here and unfortunately so is a lot of rain. Whether you’re here for this international soccer event or a transplant who recently moved to Houston, here’s what you need to know to keep you and your family safe.
The forecast is a challenging one and those who may be in town for the event may not be familiar with how weather affects our area.
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This week, there is a multi-day threat for flooding and even a chance for a short-lived tropical storm later in the week.
Regardless of what happens weather-wise, here are some tips to remember as weather could affect the event.
Leave early and be aware of high water
If you are headed to any event with the potential for large crowds, it is usually a good rule of thumb to leave early to get to the venue early. This is even more important on days where inclement weather could cause traffic problems.
In Houston, there are multiple roadways that can flood when heavy rain moves in. Some of these areas will have flood signals and gauges to help you know when not to travel through them. Others, however, will not.
Here is a map that will show you a list of flood trouble spots in Houston:
For a full list of flood trouble spots in Houston, click here.
Remember, turn around, don’t drown! Never drive into flooded roadways. What may look like just a little bit of water may turn out to be much deeper than you think. This can lead to your car not only stalling, but even be swept away if the water is moving.
FIFA Fan Fest and lightning
Lightning can be extremely dangerous to outdoor event venues and FIFA Houston Host Committee officials created a safety plan specifically to address severe weather and lightning.
According to officials, the festival operates under a weather safety plan that requires guests to leave the venue whenever lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius.
The site can only reopen after 30 consecutive minutes without additional lightning strikes within that zone, with the clock restarting after each strike.
The FIFA Fan Fest was closed Monday for the anticipation that the venue would be dealing with this kind of weather.
Potential tropical storm?
Ok, we know the word tropical storm can be scary, maybe more so for someone who is not from here and is simply here for the World Cup.
Thankfully, although we do have a medium chance, 40% to 50%, of a tropical system developing toward the middle of the week, all indications are it will be a weak, short-lived system that forms and then moves inland fairly quickly.
Thus, the story really doesn’t change. The potential will exist for flash flooding all the way into Thursday.
If a tropical storm were to develop, the only real change would be the chance for increased winds near the coast, but that would still be secondary to the heavy rain we are receiving.
Resources that can help you
KPRC 2 has a large amount of articles and resources that can help you track the storms and know what to do if severe weather strikes.
Check out our 2026 Hurricane & Flood Survival Guide here.
We also have radar and forecasts right at your fingertips here or on the KPRC 2 Weather App.
You can also monitor area bayous and roadways for possible flooding with the KPRC 2 Flood Tracker.