Texas
Things to know...
Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!
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Weather & Natural Disasters
Texas weather is marked by hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, especially in the southern and western regions, while winters vary across the state, with milder conditions in the south and colder temperatures in the north that can dip below freezing. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, as well as occasional winter storms, including snow and ice.
Texas peak tornado season is April to June, with an average of about 140 tornadoes occurring annually. In Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso, tornadoes are less frequent but still possible, particularly in the spring months. Wichita Falls is more tornado-prone, with the highest risk occurring in late spring and early summer. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan. Tornado siren testing schedules vary by location, so it’s best to check with the local county for specific details.
Hurricanes & Flooding (Houston)
Hurricanes are a significant concern for the Houston area, particularly from June to November, with the highest risk during August and September. While Houston is located near the Gulf of Mexico, the primary risk is from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and widespread flooding, especially during major storm systems. Storm surge impacts are more common in nearby coastal communities such as Galveston and the Clear Lake area, though these can still affect surrounding regions.
Flooding is a major hazard in Houston due to its flat terrain and extensive bayou system, which can become overwhelmed during intense rainfall. These floods can cause significant disruption, including road closures and property damage. It’s important to have an emergency plan in place and to follow local guidance during severe weather events, particularly if living in low-lying or flood-prone areas.
Prepare
Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you are prepared and can act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
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Neighbourhoods
Cities: Austin, Kileen, Houston, El Paso, San Antonio, Wichita Falls
Located in central Austin, Camp Mabry serves as the headquarters for the Texas Military Department and supports the Texas National Guard. Central Austin neighbourhoods like Tarrytown, Dripping Springs and Clarksville offer upscale housing options, tree-lined streets, and proximity to downtown. Dripping Springs, located on the far outskirts west of Austin, also offers housing options.
Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) is one of the largest military installations in the U.S., located adjacent to Killeen, Texas. The city directly surrounding Fort Cavazos, Killeen, is a practical and affordable option for military families. East of Killeen, Harker Heights is a quieter and more suburban alternative, popular with families.
The Johnson Space Center is in the Clear Lake area of Houston and is home to NASA’s astronaut training and spaceflight operations. Houston hosts a branch of the University of Texas System through the UT Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), which offers academic and professional opportunities, particularly for those in healthcare or research. Houston and its surrounding areas, such as Clear Lake, Pearland, and Friendswood, offer diverse living options for CAF members and their families working near the Johnson Space Center or attending the University of Texas campuses. The Clear Lake area offers boating, fishing, and kayaking opportunities, along with proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Houston is known for its world-class museums, theaters, and dining scene.
On the eastern edge of El Paso is one of the largest U.S. Army bases, Fort Bliss, which serves as a critical hub for Army training and operations.
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA): Comprising Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, and Lackland Air Force Base, JBSA serves as a major training and medical hub for the U.S. military.
Sheppard Air Force Base: Located on the northern edge of Wichita Falls, this base is primarily a training facility for Air Force and NATO personnel. Wichita Falls is a medium-sized city with a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm.
Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
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Base Information & Resources
For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to these bases.- Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) offers a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include multiple dining facilities, fitness centers, swimming pools, a 27-hole championship golf course at Clear Creek, bowling alley, arts and crafts center, auto hobby shop, bike and walking trails, sports fields, and courts. For the most updated information on Fort Cavazos MWR facilities and services > visit Fort Cavazos
- Fort Bliss features a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include multiple fitness centers, swimming pools, a 27-hole championship golf course at Clear Creek, bowling alley, arts and crafts center, auto hobby shop, bike and walking trails, sports fields, and courts. For the most updated information on Fort Bliss MWR facilities and services > visit Fort Bliss
- Joint Base San Antonio offers a commissary, exchange, and various MWR facilities including fitness centers, golf courses, swimming pools, bowling alleys, arts and crafts, auto hobby shops, and lodging at Air Force Inns. Housing is available at all locations with community amenities. For the most updated information on JBSA MWR facilities and services > visit JBSA
- Sheppard Air Force Base features a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities, including Pitsenbarger and Levitow fitness centers, Bunker Hill Waterpark with pools and slides, and lodging at the Gateway Inn. For the most updated information on Sheppard AFB MWR facilities and services > visit Sheppard AFB
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Getting Around
Austin: Public transit is available via Capital Metro, which operates buses and a light rail, making it a bit easier to get around without a car, especially downtown. Traffic can be heavy, particularly during rush hours, and parking can be challenging in the city center.
Killeen: Being near Fort Hood, Killeen is heavily car-dependent, though the city does have a local bus service through the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Transit District (Killeen Transit). Traffic around Fort Hood can be heavier during shift changes.
Houston: While Houston has a public transit system with METRO buses and light rail, the city is known for heavy traffic, and most people rely on personal vehicles for greater convenience. Traffic can be particularly challenging around major highways and the city center.
El Paso: Most residents rely on cars, but El Paso’s Sun Metro provides bus services throughout the city, making it a feasible option for those without vehicles. Traffic is generally moderate, with congestion near military bases like Fort Bliss.
San Antonio: San Antonio has VIA Metropolitan Transit, which provides bus service throughout the city, but driving is still the most common way to get around. Traffic can be moderate, especially around popular areas like the River Walk and near military bases like Lackland AFB.
Wichita Falls: Getting around Wichita Falls is mostly car-dependent, as public transit options are limited. The Wichita Falls Transit System operates some bus routes, but most residents rely on their own vehicles for convenience, especially to reach areas like Sheppard Air Force Base. -
On-Base Medical Treatment Facilities
The following medical groups provide comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
- Camp Mabry & Fort Cavazos, through the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) and its associated clinics.
- Fort Bliss, through the William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) and its associated clinics.
- Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) in Texas comprises three primary installations: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base. Each base offers medical services through its respective facilities, providing comprehensive health care to eligible personnel and their families.
- Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) through the 82nd Medical Group
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Critters & Wildlife
Texas is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Western Diamondback rattlesnake and the Texas coral snake, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, particularly in wooded and grassy areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, fire ants, and occasional encounters with alligators, particularly in the southern regions. Compared to Canada, Texas’s warmer climate supports a greater variety of reptiles and insects, making routine pest control recommended to manage mosquitoes, fire ants, termites, and other pests that thrive in the hot, humid environment.
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Children's Education
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the neighbourhoods and their respective school districts, as well as links to French-language schools in their respective neighbourhoods.
Austin- Austin Independent School District
- Alliance Française d'Austin offers French language classes for all levels, including private lessons and tutoring for adults, children, and teens. All instructors are native French speakers.
- French School of Austin (École Jean-Jacques Rousseau) is a private, independent bilingual school offering a dual-language immersion program from preschool to Grade 8, based on the French Ministry of Education curriculum. Enrollment Considerations: Private institution with its own admission process and tuition fees. It's advisable to contact the school directly for current enrollment information.
- Clear Creek Independent School District
- The Awty International School offers Houston's only fully accredited French program accredited by the French Ministry of National Education from Early Learning (Petite Section) to High School (Terminale). The Awty International School is part of the Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network. Enrollment Considerations: Selective admissions process; contact the school directly for application procedures and deadlines.
- Additional Educational Programs and Resources:
- Space Center Houston's Education Programs
- NASA Kids' Club
Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location. -
Child Care
Child Development Centers
Child Development Centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care, and respite care. Child Development Centers vary in size, and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Department of Defense and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
For a full list of military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps, visit MilitaryChildCare.com. There, you can enter your location or military installation to find a comprehensive list of childcare programs, as well as submit requests for care through Child Development Centers, school-age care programs, and DOD-certified Family Child Care providers.
Additional Child and Developement Resources
Vsit our Family Care webpage, where you’ll find parenting and advocacy programs, development resources, toolkits, and more.
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Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses. Texas offers a "Real ID" compliant driver's license, which can be used for federal identification purposes.
