2023 TROPICAL EVENT NAMES

  • Arlene
  • Bret
  • Cindy
  • Don
  • Emily
  • Franklin
  • Gert
  • Harold
  • Idalia
  • Jose
  • Katia
  • Lee
  • Margot
  • Nigel
  • Ophelia
  • Philippe
  • Rina
  • Sean
  • Tammy
  • Vince
  • Whitney

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR: PREDICTIONS FOR 2023 HURRICANE SEASON

Each year several different forecasters including NOAA, The Weather Company, and various universities make predictions for upcoming hurricane seasons and 2023 is no exception. Most predictions are for an average hurricane season while others predict a more active or slightly less than average hurricane season.

After three years of a La Nina weather pattern, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season, and a 30% chance of a below-normal season.

As predicted, El Nino has formed and is expected to continue into the fall and winter months. As El Nino warms the area of water along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, its wind shear generally lowers Atlantic Ocean hurricane activity. However, intense hurricanes can, and do, develop in El Nino seasons.

As El Nino pushes eastward, this weather pattern can make for more intense Pacific Ocean Cyclone activity and hotter, wetter weather along the Gulf Coast.

The 2022 Hurricane Season ended up a near-normal season with 14 named tropical systems producing two major hurricanes. Hurricane Ian became the 15th weather event in 2022 to be added to NOAA’s billion-dollar disaster list after making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds. The names Ian and Fiona were retired. Fiona first made landfall in Puerto Rico and later in Canada.

The average Atlantic hurricane season between 1991 and 2022 contained 14 tropical storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes with wind speeds over 115 miles per hour.

Regardless of averages and predictions, it’s still only a matter of time before our area faces another tropical event. Now is the time to prepare.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center

  • 12 to 17 named storms
  • 5 to 9 hurricanes
  • 1 to 4 major hurricanes

https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook#:~:text=NOAA’s%20outlook%20for%20the%202023,of%2039%20mph%20or%20higher).

The Weather Company

  • 15 named storms
  • 7 hurricanes
  • 3 major hurricanes

https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/2023-04-11-hurricane-season-outlook-atlantic

Tropical Storm Risk (based out of the University College London)

  • 13 named storms
  • 6 hurricanes
  • 3 major hurricanes

https://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/

Colorado State’s Forecast

  • 13 named storms (30-year average 14.4)
  • 6 hurricanes (30-year average 7.2)
  • 2 major hurricanes (20-year average 3.2)

https://tropical.colostate.edu/forecasting.html

University of Arizona’s Forecast

  • 9 hurricanes
  • 5 major hurricanes

https://news.arizona.edu/story/very-active-hurricane-season-expected-2023-uarizona-experts-say

North Carolina State University’s Forecast

  • 11 to 15 named storms
  • 6 to 8 hurricanes (the historical average is 6)
  • 2 to 3 major hurricanes

https://news.ncsu.edu/2023/04/nc-state-researchers-predict-normal-hurricane-season/

WHAT IS A HURRICANE EVACUATION ZONE?

View this link to determine if you live in or near a hurricane evacuation area. http://flash.org/2017EvacuationZones.pdf

EVER WONDERED HOW TROPICAL STORMS ARE NAMED?

  • The World Meteorological Organization assigns names to tropical storms that reach a sustained wind speed of 39 miles per hour. To be called a hurricane, sustained wind speeds must be 74 miles per hour or higher.
  • The first tropical storm that attains a sustained wind speed of at least 39 miles per hour in any calendar year is given the storm name beginning with an “A” from that year’s list. Subsequent storms will have the B name, C name, and so on in alphabetical order.
  • There are six lists of storm names which recycle every six years. However, the names of storms that are particularly deadly or disastrous are permanently retired from use, such as Allison, Alicia, Harvey, Ian, and Katrina. In 2023, there are four new names including Harold which replaces Harvey.

RETIRING HURRICANE NAMES

The World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee has retired Dorian (2019) and Laura, Eta, and Iota (2020), Ida (2021), and Fiona and Ian (2022) from the rotating lists of Atlantic tropical cyclone names due to the death and destruction they caused. Nighty-three names have now been retired from the Atlantic Basin list. The WMO also decided that the Greek alphabet will not be used in the future because it distracts from the communication of hazard and storm warnings and is potentially confusing. A supplemental list of names A-Z (excluding Q, U, X, Y, and Z on the Atlantic list) was created for when the standard list is exhausted in a given season. Names on this list could be retired and replaced when required.​

 

GETTING PREPARED FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Check on your Home and Insurance

Know what your policy covers and what it doesn’t before hurricane season. flood insurance has to be purchased 30 days before the storm hits. And take the precautions suggested by your insurance company.

Visit FloodSmart.gov or call 800-427-4661.

Make an Emergency Kit
  • Water (one gallon a day for each person for two weeks)
  • Non-perishable food
  • Medications and medical records
  • First aid kit
  • Medical supplies and batteries
  • Important documents
  • Cellphone chargers
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Personal hygiene necessities
  • Cash (ATMs and credit card machines may not function immediately after a storm)
  • Sentimental or special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
  • Sleeping bags and blankets
  • Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowls
  • Maps
  • Battery powered radio
  • Flashlight
  • Whistle (to signal for help if needed)
  • Dust masks, plastic sheets and duct tape (to filter contaminated air and build shelter)
  • Manual can opener
  • Extra clothing and rain gear
  • A generator can also be very useful
Hurricane kit resource links:
Know What’s Coming: Red Cross Offers Tips to Stay Informed
  1. Listen to local area media or NOAA radio for the latest information and updates.
  2. Be prepared to evacuate quickly by knowing your routes, destinations, and local emergency shelters.
  3. Check and replenish your emergency kit, paying special attention to medications and other medical supplies. Keep the kit nearby.

Preparing your Vehicles for Hurricane Season (Courtesy of Planet Ford)

Maintenance

Keeping up to date with your vehicle’s maintenance is already important, but it is especially important in Hurricane season. In the event of an evacuation, you will rely on your vehicle to get your family to a safe location.

Ensure your vehicle is in good condition by regularly checking the vehicle’s fluid levels – oil, transmission, brake, power steering, coolant, windshield wiper fluids. Planet Ford also recommends checking belts, battery, and tires.

Insurance

No two insurance coverages are the same. Get in touch with your vehicle insurance provider and find out what your policy covers before a hurricane bears down on Texas. Know the steps to take are to file a claim. Take photos of your vehicle prior to the hurricane making landfall as evidence of your vehicle’s condition before the storm.

Gas

Fill up the tank before the storm. It may also be beneficial to have additional gas canisters with fresh gas in the event there are long gas station lines, no power to the pumps, or limited gasoline supplies.

Emergency Kit

You have a hurricane kit. So should your vehicle. Roadside assistance may not be possible in a hurricane, so have these necessities in your vehicle:

  • Jumper Cables
  • Gas Canisters
  • Tool Kit
  • Tire Jack
  • Flashlight with Batteries
  • Emergency radio with Batteries or crank operated
  • Bottled Water
  • First Aid Kit
  • Prescription Medicines
  • Motor Oil
Parking

If you park your vehicle in a garage, back it in for an easier and faster exit in the event of an evacuation. Park away from trees, power lines, light poles, or anything else that could fall on your vehicle and cause damage.

Driving

If an evacuation is mandated, be sure to drive as safely as possible. Avoid flooded roads or bridges. Drive straight to your destination to avoid being on the roads any longer than needed.

Emergency Contacts: Save These Important Numbers and Web Sites in your Cell Phone/Tablet/Laptop

  • American Red Cross: 1-800-733-2767, redcross.org
  • Center Point Energy: 713-659-2111, 1-800-752-8036 (24-hour reporting), centerpointenergy.com
  • Harris County Flood Control District: 713-684-4000, hcfcd.org
  • Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management: 713-881-3100, hcoem.org
  • Houston TranStar: 713-881-3000, houstontranstar.org
  • FEMA: 1-800-621-3362, fema.gov
  • Your Insurance Company Phone Numbers
  • Numbers for Family and Friends you can evacuate to safely

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to write down these numbers and the phone numbers of friends and family just in case your cell phone stops working. Keep that list in your hurricane kit in a zip-lock bag.

Need More Information? Here are Useful Links: