Preparing for and Recovering from Extreme Weather Events

Sometimes it seems as though Texas is frequently either on fire or underwater, depending on where you are. Dance halls have been damaged by extreme weather events — including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, hailstorms, etc. — since the first hall was constructed.

Thanks to a generous grant from the National Park Service “Harvey-Irma-Maria Emergency Supplemental Historic Preservation Fund,” TDHP has developed a report on extreme weather threats to historic dance halls and how you can both prepare for these events and recover from them. This easy-to-use reference guide discusses the types of weather that regularly threatens dance halls across the state before providing step-by-step instructions for:

  • Developing a weather preparedness plan and checklist
  • Understanding the ways in which historic dance halls (of different types) are vulnerable to extreme weather
  • Undertaking basic site and building maintenance that will help your hall withstand weather events
  • Mitigating threats by addressing specific building needs
  • Developing a preventative maintenance plan for your dance hall

This project also included a historic resources survey of 85 halls in 23 counties (within the Hurricane Harvey disaster area). Thank you to all of the halls who participated and shared information about the weather events that have impacted them over the years!

How can I get a copy of the Report?

The full-color Report can be downloaded as a PDF document, free of charge.

Click to download the Extreme Weather Report.

Click to download the Appendices.

If you need a printed copy, please contact us.

Support Texas Dance Hall Preservation

Your kind and generous help makes it possible for us to work directly with dance hall owners to provide technical assistance, workshops, grants for building repairs, and other resources. Please become a TDHP Member and make a donation today.