As the calendar flips to June, it’s not just the Texas heat we need to watch—it’s the tropics. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and no matter where you live, when word of a storm hits the news, people take notice. Tracking hurricanes—and preparing for them—is essential for those who may be in a storm’s path. In the past, tropical storms and hurricanes didn’t have names, which often led to confusion, especially when multiple systems were active. To solve that, storms began receiving simple, easy-to-remember names. This naming system helps meteorologists, emergency management teams, the media, and the public communicate clearly and effectively.
Storm Names for 2025
Each year, the National Hurricane Center releases a list of 21 names for storms that reach tropical storm strength or greater. These are the names on deck for 2025:
Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, Wendy.
Names are assigned alphabetically and alternate between male and female. If we get more than 21 named storms in a single season (which has happened before), the WMO now uses a supplemental list instead of the Greek alphabet to keep things clear and consistent.
Why Do We Name Hurricanes?
It may seem like a strange practice, but naming hurricanes actually helps prevent confusion and improve public safety. Before names were used, storms were identified by latitude/longitude—imagine trying to issue a warning for “the system at 28.5°N, 94.2°W”!
Using simple, easy-to-remember names helps meteorologists, emergency management teams, the media, and the public communicate clearly—especially when multiple storms are active at once. The U.S. began naming Atlantic hurricanes using the phonetic alphabet in 1950, switched to female names in 1953, and added male names in 1979 to create a more balanced system. The current naming system is coordinated internationally and cycles every six years—unless a name is retired.
Retired Names and Why They Matter
When a hurricane leaves behind a path of extraordinary destruction or heartbreaking loss of life, its name is permanently retired—a small but meaningful gesture made out of respect for the communities forever changed by the storm. Retiring a name ensures that it won’t be reused in the future, helping to preserve the historical significance of the event and prevent confusion in future discussions.
Some hurricane names are etched into our collective memory because of the devastation they brought:
- Katrina (2005) – The catastrophic storm that overwhelmed New Orleans and became the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
- Harvey (2017) – A record-breaking deluge in Texas that brought over 50 inches of rain to some areas and caused $125 billion in damage.
- Maria (2017) – A deadly and destructive storm that plunged Puerto Rico into crisis and left much of the island without power for months.
- Ian (2022) – A powerful hurricane that battered Florida’s Gulf Coast, bringing widespread flooding and destruction.
These names serve as stark reminders of nature’s power—and the importance of preparedness.
How Many Hurricanes Have Hit Texas?
Texas is no stranger to hurricanes. Since records began in the mid-1800s, more than 60 hurricanes have made landfall along the Texas coast, including over 20 major hurricanes (Category 3 or stronger).
The most devastating hurricane names include:
• The 1900 Galveston Hurricane – Still the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history with an estimated 8,000 deaths.
• Hurricane Harvey (2017) – Dropped historic rainfall on Southeast Texas, causing $125 billion in damage.
• Hurricane Ike (2008) – Brought a massive storm surge that hammered Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula.
Whether it’s Andrea or Wendy—or none of the names at all—we hope the 2025 season stays calm and quiet.
For more information you can check out these Hello Austin County videos with Stephen Burnett, Texas Agrilife DAR Agent.
Disaster Assessment and Recovery
Disaster Preparedness for You and Your Livestock
