Major Catastrophic Events in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arizona

No single event affected all four states simultaneously. Each has endured distinct disasters:

Texas

• Hurricane Harvey (2017): Catastrophic flooding in Houston; $125B damage, 100+ deaths.
• Winter Storm Uri (2021): Grid collapse, millions without power/water; 246+ deaths.

New Mexico

• White Sands Missile Range Explosion (1945): Fatal rocket-sled test accident.
• Cerro Grande Fire (2000): 47,000 acres burned, 400+ homes lost, threatened Los Alamos National Lab.

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City Bombing (1995): Domestic terrorism; 168 killed, Alfred P. Murrah Building destroyed.

Arizona

• Great Flood of 1980: Record rainfall caused severe Salt River Valley flooding.
• Yarnell Hill Fire (2013): 19 firefighters killed—deadliest wildfire for U.S. firefighters.

These events highlight the region's vulnerability to hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, terrorism, and flash floods.