Hey Houston, it’s time to pay attention once again. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just dropped their outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, and it’s looking intense as usual. Starting June 1, we could see 13-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). That’s above the average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 majors, and it’s got our Gulf Coast city on high alert. Here’s what this means for us and how we can prep like the resilient Houstonians we are.
NOAA’s calling for a 60% chance of a busier-than-normal season, and they’re not guessing. Warm ocean waters in the Atlantic are like fuel for storms, making them stronger and more likely to form. Add in weaker wind shear (winds that usually break storms apart) and a strong West African monsoon kicking off tropical waves, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Neutral weather patterns, with no El Niño or La Niña to shake things up, only make it easier for storms to spin up.
For Houston, this isn’t just weather talk. It’s personal. We’re always right in the hurricane danger zone, and a single storm can flood our streets, knock out power, or worse as we have seen with various storms and hurricanes in the past. NOAA’s stepping up their game with new tools, like drones and high-definition satellite technology, to track storms better. They’re also tweaking forecasts to predict rapid intensification, at a 5-7% more accurate rate. That’s critical for us since a storm can go from breezy to brutal in hours.
But here’s the deal: we’re not helpless. Houston’s got grit, and we know how to prep. But our town always has newcomers each year who may not be familiar with storm preparation. It all starts now. Grab extra water, canned goods, batteries, and a first-aid kit for at least three days. Do not wait until there is a rush. Check if you’re in a flood zone at noaa.gov and clear out gutters to keep water moving. Make sure you’re up to date with flood insurance. Once again too many of us have waited until it’s too late. Follow NOAA’s Hurricane Tracker online and keep your phone charged for alerts. Yes, NOAA has experienced staffing gaps due to federal cutbacks with 155 empty spots in coastal offices, but they insist this will not affect their forecasts.
This season’s first name is “Andrea,” and with 3-5 major hurricanes possible, we can’t sleep on this. But Houston and its people are built for tough times. We’ll stock up, watch out for each other, and come through stronger. There’s no guarantee that a major storm will pass through our area this year, but you never know.
