Typhoon Texas Katy is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer. The $45 million waterpark at 555 Katy Fort Bend Road, next to Katy Mills mall, opened May 28, 2016, with five slide towers, 1.3 miles of waterslides and a 25,000-square-foot wave pool. A decade later, it remains one of the most visible commercial landmarks along the Katy Mills corridor, still operating weekends through Sept. 20, 2026, according to a retrospective published by The Katy News on Aug. 22.
The park was developed by Houston-area businessmen Keith Dalton, Terry Hlavinka and Ray DeLaughter. Construction firm KDW broke ground in August 2015 and finished the 25-acre project in under a year. The original investment was approximately $45 million, and park officials said at the time they planned to hire about 600 seasonal workers ranging from lifeguards to maintenance staff.
Opening day drew long lines.
Companies involved in the project reported that the park reached capacity attendance and season-pass goals faster than expected.
$4 million children's expansion
In November 2022, Typhoon Texas announced Typhoon Jr., a $4 million park-within-the-park for kids under 48 inches tall, according to the Katy Area Economic Development Council. The project centered on the existing Gully Washer attraction, an 800-gallon water bucket and four-story play structure for ages 3–10, and added five new water slides and a half-acre splash pad extension.
The children's area has since grown to four acres with 10 junior-sized slides and an upgraded splash pad, per The Katy News' reporting.
City partnership and community role
Typhoon Texas has become the venue for the City of Katy's Independence Day programming. The 2026 Katy Freedom Celebration was held at the park, with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. and the east side parking lot at Katy Mills Mall serving as the designated public viewing area.
The park has also hosted food festivals, first-responder recognition events and school activities over its decade of operation. Its presence helped strengthen the Katy Mills corridor's position as a regional entertainment district alongside the nearby Katy Boardwalk development.
On its official Facebook page, the park thanked guests, families and the community for shaping Typhoon Texas over the past 10 years.
The 2026 season continues weekends through Sept. 20, 2026, with gates opening at 11 a.m. and closing between 5 and 6 p.m.
