It is predicted that 2024 will be a busy hurricane season over the Atlantic Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts the Atlantic hurricane season, which starts June 1st and lasts until November 30th, has an 85% chance of being above average with 17-25 named storms. What does that mean for Texans? It means you should prepare for a hurricane if you live on the Golf Coast, and if you live further inland you should prepare for heavy rainfall and, in some areas, flooding and tornados.
What is a ‘normal’ hurricanes season?
Typically, the Atlantic hurricane season will have 14 named storms; 7 of these named storms turn into hurricanes, and out of those 7, normally 3 become a Category 3 or stronger hurricane (WGCU.ORG). Over the years, there have been 64 hurricanes that have made landfall in Texas, the most recent being Hurricane Beryl in July 2024. The uptick in hurricanes is due to higher than average ocean temperatures, the development of La Niña in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and wind shear. Hurricane Beryl formed on June 28 and finally dissipated on July 11, having made landfall multiple times and causing wide spread damage. Hurricane Beryl was one of the earliest major hurricanes to form in the Atlantic Ocean.
Wind speed, tornados, storm surge and wave height
When most people think of a hurricane, they think about the damaging winds. Hurricane winds damage buildings, cars and destroy vegetation. In addition, hurricanes can produce tornados. Tornados that develop from a hurricane form away from the center of the storm in rain bands. This means that even for those who live more inland, the dangers produced from a hurricane extend past the area of landfall. Although wind is undoubtedly something to be cautious of, storm surge poses the greatest threat to life during a hurricane.
Storm surge is the rise in sea level above normal tide levels and is caused by a storm with high winds and low atmospheric pressure. It is different from wave height, which is defined as the distance between a wave’s crest and trough. Storm surge causes widespread flooding beyond the rains of the hurricane.
Plan to keep yourself and your family safe
Due to the increased danger a hurricane brings, an evacuation plan is especially necessary for residents along the Texas coast. Texans who need assistance during an emergency event, like a hurricane, should register with the STEAR Program. It is free to register and is a service that provides emergency plan officials and emergency responders with information about residents in the community. Although the Texas STEAR program does not guarantee you will receive special assistance, it provides the right people with helpful information.
You should register for the STEAR program if:
- You have a disability
- You are medically fragile
- You have limited mobility
- You have communication barriers
- You require transportation assistance
- You require personal care assistance
Prepare for an evacuation during hurricane season
For all other Texas coastal residents, you need to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Having a ‘go-bag’ ready is a helpful way to prepare in case you are told to evacuate. Packing ahead of time will help ensure that you remember essential items.
Here is a list of items to include in your hurricane evacuation go-bag:
- Change of clothes, including a long-sleeve shirt and pants
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal hygiene items like shampoo, soap and deodorant
- Sunscreen, hand sanitizer and insect repellent
- Comfortable shoes
- Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Passport, Driver’s License, Insurance Cards
- Credit Card, cash and bank details (*store in a waterproof container)
- Phone chargers with extra power bank and a printout of important phone numbers in a waterproof container
- Prescription medicines and any medical devices you need
- Contact lenses or prescription glasses
- Sleeping bag and a tent if possible
- Paper cups and plates, disposable utensils
- Water (1 gallon per person, per day for at least 3 days) and non-perishable foods
- Water filtration straw or water purification tablets
- Whistle
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both, or a transistor radio
- Flashlight(s) and batteries
- Face masks (to avoid breathing contaminated air)
- Pocket knife
- Fire extinguisher
- Personal protection device
- Feminine hygiene products (pads/tampons)
- Matches (stored in a waterproof container)
- Playing cards, coloring books and crayons with drawing paper, word search puzzles
- Digital backup copies of personal property in a waterproof, resealable bag (photos, videos)
- First aid kit
Prepare for your pets
- Collar and leash
- Shot records and tags
- Food and water for your pet
- Collapsable water and food bowls
- Poop bags or portable litter box
- Favorite toy
We realize that the above list is extensive and that some people may not have room in their vehicle for everything. You may want to think about investing in a rooftop cargo carrier bag. Some models are available which do not require roof bars or a luggage rack, and most are waterproof so you can rest assure that your belongings stay dry and secure during travel. If you are forced to cut some things out of your go-bag, just remember: life before material.
Did you know?
Did you know that feminine named storms kill more people than masculine named storms? It isn’t due to the strength of the hurricane or even to the locations that a hurricane effects. Actually, hurricanes that have female names statistically leave behind more fatalities due to the societal perception that storms with female names are less dangerous or destructive. Therefore, people are less likely to take the necessary precautions to stay safe during a hurricane.
Where do you go when you have nowhere to go?
If you are evacuated due to a weather threat, local officials will have somewhere for you to go to in a secure building on higher grounds. You can visit HUD or TDHCA for more information about your local shelters.
Hurricane season is no joke
Hurricanes are nothing to mess around with. They can change direction, catch communities off guard and leave a path of devastation behind. Because of this, when you receive instructions to evacuate, it is important that you do so quickly, and calmly.. Do not ignore warnings and think you can weather the storm alone. After a hurricane, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and confused about what you should do. Please, pay attention and be aware of heat illness signs. The last thing you need to be dealing with is a heat stroke.
If you want to help others start over after a natural disaster, visit US.gov to find the best way to give support to those who need it. For more helpful information about preparing for a hurricane, check out our Hurricane Preparation Tips.