Flooding and flash flooding are hazardous weather events in low-lying areas. While both involve water accumulation, they differ in speed and cause.

• Flooding: Develops over hours or days due to prolonged heavy rain, snowmelt, or storm surges.
• Flash flooding: A more severe and sudden, violent flood triggered by intense rainfall, dam breaks, or rapid snowmelt. 

Understanding the difference between a flash flood warning and watch is crucial for safety: a watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding, while a warning indicates flash flooding is imminent or already occurring. Flash floods are especially dangerous because they develop rapidly, giving people minimal time to prepare. The rushing water can sweep away vehicles, cause structural damage to buildings, and create life-threatening situations within minutes.

What is a flood advisory?

The National Weather Service issues a flood advisory when weather conditions suggest possible minor flooding. This is the lowest level of flood alert and indicates that heavy rain, melting snow, or other specific weather events may cause some significant inconvenience but likely won’t create dangerous conditions. The advisory serves as an early warning for people in flood-prone areas to stay informed about weather developments.

What is a flash flood watch?

A flash flood watch is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions could lead to rapid flooding. While a flood watch is issued hours or even days before potential flooding, it doesn’t guarantee that flooding will occur. Instead, it alerts residents in at-risk areas to prepare for possible flooding and stay ready to take action if conditions worsen.

What is a flash flood warning?

A flood warning is issued when a specific hazardous weather event is expected or already occurring in an area. Unlike a flash flood watch, meaning conditions are only favorable for flooding, a flash flood warning indicates a confirmed threat that has been confirmed by radar, emergency responders, or trained weather spotters. The repercussions for residents can be significantly more serious with a flood warning vs. flood watch. Anyone in areas immediately receiving rain should evacuate their property, move to high ground, and await further instructions.

The key differences between a flood watch vs. warning

Understanding the distinction between a flood watch vs. flood warning helps you respond appropriately to each alert. Both require a public response, but with different levels of urgency:

• A flash flood watch means you should be prepared. Conditions are favorable for flooding, but it hasn’t occurred yet. Stay alert and be ready to act if necessary.  
• A flash flood warning means you should take action now. Flooding is either happening or about to happen, requiring immediate action to reach safety.

What to do if a flash flood watch is issued

The steps you should take in a flash flood watch vs. a warning are different. Here is what you should do when a flash flood watch is issued:

• Stay informed: Monitor updates from the National Weather Service and local authorities.
• Review your emergency plan: Ensure all family members know what to do if a flood occurs.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Have essentials like food, water, medication, flashlights, and flood insurance documents in a waterproof bag.
• Check evacuation routes: Know where to go if you need to leave quickly.
• Secure your home: Move valuables to higher levels and prepare sandbags if needed.
• Avoid travel: Heavy rain could cause dangerous conditions, even before flooding begins.
• Charge devices: Keep phones and power banks fully charged in case of power outages.

Even though the steps you’ll need to take are less severe in a flood watch vs warning situation, it’s essential you remain alert and ready because conditions can shift rapidly, especially for the 6 million Texans living on a flood plain. 

What to do if a flash flood warning is issued

The steps you should take in a flash flood warning vs. watch are significantly more time-critical. The following actions are required immediately to protect yourself and your family:

• Follow evacuation orders: If local authorities tell you to evacuate, do so without delay.
• Turn off utilities: If time allows, switch off your home’s electricity and gas on the way out.
• Head to predetermined meeting points: All family members should know where to go to find each other. 
• Avoid driving through floodwaters: Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and two feet can sweep away a vehicle.
• Avoid contact with electricity: Stay away from power lines, as these present a significant electrocution risk.
• Shelter in place safely: If it’s not possible to leave your property, avoid the basement and stay clear of windows and doors in case they blow in. 

If you are sheltering in place, you could also place sandbags around doors and low entry points, unplug appliances, and ensure sump pumps and drains are clear so water can flow away from your home.

Where to get updates

Knowing how to prepare for a flood and what to do in a flood warning vs watch is essential. But you also need to know where to find the correct information. Here’s a list of services providing accurate, up-to-date flood reports:

• National Weather Service (NWS) 
• FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) 
• Local emergency management agencies — Check city, county, or state government websites for flood alerts in your area.
• NOAA Weather Radio 
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) 
• Weather apps like AccuWeather or The Weather Channel.

Whichever flood update services you sign up for, remember to enable push notifications on your mobile device to ensure you’re kept up-to-date as developments unfold. 

Save on electricity plans with BKVE

Understanding weather alerts is just one part of being prepared. Having an affordable electricity plan with clear, straightforward terms is another important step for Texas residents.

At BKVE, we offer Texas homeowners something different from typical electricity providers. Our plans are designed to be simple and affordable, without the confusing terms and hidden fees often found in the energy market. We believe in complete transparency. Our gimmick-free, fixed-rate plans come with straightforward contracts that clearly explain your rates and terms. 

What makes our plans stand out:

• No extra fees or marketing gimmicks
• Fixed-rate plans with clear terms
• No cancellation fees within the first 30 days
• Simple, easy-to-understand contracts
• Focus on customer education and transparency
• Options that fit different household needs

Find the right plan for your home today.

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Predicted 2024 hurricane season activity 

Forecasts leading into the season projected significant storm activity. Colorado State University (CSU) and NOAA both estimated high numbers, with up to 25 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 6 major hurricanes predicted at the peak. However, the expectations for total storms fell short at 18 as the season got off to its slowest start in over a decade, with Tropical Storm Alberto forming only in late June.  

What actually happened? 

By the end of the season, NOAA reported there were 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, numbers that surpassed the 30-year average but fell short of some pre-season predictions. Despite the lower-than-expected number of storms, the season was marked by intense and destructive hurricanes, including Beryl, Helene, and Milton, which left a significant impact across various regions of the United States.

• Hurricane Beryl: The first major hurricane of the season. Beryl became the earliest recorded Category 5 storm in history when it hit in early July. It caused widespread devastation in the Caribbean and along the Texas coast, with over 40 deaths and millions left without power. 
• Hurricane Helene: Striking Florida and the Carolinas in late September, Helene became the costliest and deadliest storm of the season. Flooding in North Carolina reached catastrophic levels, isolating communities and claiming over 230 lives. 
• Hurricane Milton: Known for its extraordinary strength, Milton peaked as a Category 5 hurricane before weakening and making landfall in Florida. Damage estimates exceeded $30 billion. 

How did this compare to historical averages?  

Despite the slow start to hurricane season, the season finished above historical averages in forecast conditions including named storms and major hurricanes.

Following Hurricane Beryl, the Atlantic basin hurricane season remained very active, with hurricanes Debby and Ernesto forming by August 14th. CSU reported only four other hurricane seasons in the satellite era (1966–onwards) had three hurricanes by August 14th: 1966, 1968, 1995, and 2005. 

Sources: https://tropical.colostate.edu/Forecast/2024-11.pdf 

Impact on Texas’ electric grid 

The 2024 season highlighted vulnerabilities in Texas’s electricity grid, particularly during and after Hurricane Beryl. The storm’s landfall along the Texas coastline led to widespread power outages, leaving over 2 million customers without electricity for several days. Damage to critical infrastructure, including power lines, substations, and generation facilities, underscored the need for greater grid resilience. 

In response, ERCOT (the state’s grid operator) faced challenges balancing supply and demand as emergency repairs were underway. The outages sparked debates on revisiting upgrading grid infrastructure to withstand severe weather, particularly in the face of increasing storm intensity due to climate change. 

What are scientists predicting for the 2025 hurricane season?

Colorado State’s first outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be released on Thursday, April 3, 2025. This forecast will provide an early assessment of what to expect during the upcoming season, offering insights into predicted storm activity and trends. All forecasts and updates will be available on their site. 

Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) extended-range forecast for North Atlantic hurricane activity in 2025 predicts a season with activity near the 1991-2020 climatological average. This forecast covers the period from June 1 to November 30, 2025, using data up to the end of November 2024.  

There is uncertainty in this forecast. This is largely due to the very warm sea surface temperature anomalies across much of the Atlantic and the question of whether these anomalies will persist into spring and summer 2025. TSR expresses this uncertainty through probability distributions for Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) and hurricane counts. 

Stay prepared and informed

With the 2024 hurricane season behind us, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the meaning of different hurricane alerts and warning systems to ensure you are prepared ahead of any tropical storms forming next year.  

Additionally, it’s a great time to ensure you have an easy way to stay in the loop on any storm developments. The Bluebonnet plan from BKV Energy offers peace of mind with Spark Alerts, keeping you informed about outages, restoration updates, and safety tips during extreme weather. Choose a provider that understands Texans’ needs and supports you when it matters most. Explore affordable plans in your area today.

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However, it must be noted that these solutions can not 100% guarantee that your house will not experience damage during a hurricane. The stronger the storm, the more likely damage will occur and actions taken to prevent that damage will become less effective. There’s simply no silver bullet solution to a battle with Mother Nature.

1. Secure your roof

Hurricane straps, also known as hurricane ties or hurricane clips, can strengthen the structural integrity of your home by securing the roof to the walls. These straps can help prevent your roof from lifting off of your home.

Other options to secure your roof include impact-resistant shingles or reinforcing roof sheathing with an extra-strong adhesive.

2. Install storm shutters or impact-resistant windows

Aluminum or steel shutters for your windows and doors can provide extra protection for the entryways to your home. They are particularly useful for windows by helping to prevent broken glass from spreading throughout your home.

An alternative or additional safety measure would be to replace your windows with those made of impact-resistant glass.

If neither storm shutters nor impact-resistant glass are an option, due to financial or time constraints, your next best option is to board up your doors and windows with plywood panels.

3. Strengthen entry doors

There are several ways to strengthen your exterior-facing doors. First, you can use longer screws or brackets to better secure the door frame to the structure of your house.

Additionally, you can install heavy-duty hinges and deadbolt locks.

Finally, ensure your garage door is hurricane-rated, or retrofit older doors with horizontal braces like storm bars.

4. Protect outdoor spaces

While learning how to hurricane-proof windows and doors is essential, these are by no means the only hazards around your home during hurricane season. Keeping a well-maintained yard is also a necessity. Start by removing all lawn furniture, garden tools, and other items that could become flying objects in high winds. Store them securely indoors and cover sharp items with plastic sheeting, just in case. It’s also a good idea to trim trees and shrubs to eliminate weak branches that may snap off and cause damage. 

If you have a pool, rather than tying down your plastic or metal outdoor furniture, you could sink it to the bottom of the pool to prevent it from being blown away.

5. Seal openings and gaps

To prevent water infiltration and damage, you can apply caulk to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other exterior openings. Take a tour through the house to ensure that all vents are properly covered or sealed.

6. Install a backup power source

Learning how to prepare your home for a hurricane includes having solutions ready for every eventuality. Severe hurricane damage could mean extended power outages. So, it’s a smart idea to buy a backup generator and enough gas/fuel/ propane tanks to power your property until regular service resumes. Familiarize yourself with safe operation best practices to avoid hazards like carbon monoxide poisoning. 

7. Protect against flooding

Flooding can be a significant risk, particularly if you live in a low-lying area. Here are some basic flood preparation ideas for how to protect your house from a hurricane:

• Elevate electrical appliances, utilities, and important equipment.
• Have sandbags ready to redirect water away from your home’s foundation.
• Install a sump pump in the basements to manage excess water and prevent flood damage. 

If you still have power, you should close the shut-off valves at the first sign of flooding, as electricity and water do not mix, and could put your family and pets at risk of electrocution. 

8. Review your home insurance coverage

No matter how much effort you put into learning how to hurricane-proof your home, some damage may be inevitable. Therefore, having adequate home insurance is vital if you’re to get back on your feet as soon as possible after a storm. Here’s a quick list of best practices:

• Check whether your policy covers flood insurance and hurricane damage, as many standard policies do not. 
• If you live in a high-risk area, consider adding supplemental coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Familiarize yourself with your coverage details, including the deductible amount and waiting period.

By understanding your coverage and ensuring it meets your needs, you can safeguard your financial well-being and facilitate a smoother recovery.

Save on electricity plans with BKVE

A crucial aspect of hurricane preparation that is often overlooked is your electricity plan. Power outages are common during hurricanes, and being without power for an extended period can make recovery even more challenging. That’s why having an electricity plan designed to support you during these situations is essential.

Our Bluebonnet plan is specifically tailored to offer competitive rates and Premier+ benefits, ensuring that when the storm passes and power is restored, you can get back to normal as quickly as possible.

By securing the right electricity plan now, you’ll be ready for any storm that comes your way, minimizing disruptions and helping to keep your home as comfortable as possible during hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is on the horizon! Enroll today to explore your options and find the best plan for your family’s needs.

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Since 1851, there have been 10 recorded category 4 hurricanes to make landfall in Texas. Some of the more well-known storm names include Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. Hurricane Harvey moved slowly over the Houston area, dropping nearly 50 inches of rain that flooded the city. The storm is estimated to have inflicted $125 billion worth of damage, completely destroying over 60,000 homes and damaging over 200,000 others.

Many Texans remember Hurricane Ike in 2008, which at one point was a category 4, but had decreased in intensity to category 2 by the time it collided with Texas in the Galveston area. Even with the lower category rating, Ike was one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit the state. Some parts of the state were expected to receive a storm surge up to 20 feet.

Texas has never had a storm hit the state while meeting the criteria of a category 5 hurricane.

On the table below you can see a list of major hurricanes to hit Texas since the year 1900.

How many hurricanes have hit Texas?

Since the 1850s, Texas has been struck by over 60 hurricanes. Most hurricanes that make landfall in Texas are category 1 and 2, but since the 1850s, the state has dealt with over 25 major (category 3 and up) hurricanes.

• Category 1 Hurricanes: 27
• Category 2 Hurricanes: 13
• Category 3 Hurricanes: 16
• Category 4 Hurricanes: 10
• Category 5 Hurricanes: 0

Are more major hurricanes headed for Texas?

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be one of the most active in recorded history. No one can say for certain if Texas will be struck by a hurricane, as storms that form in the Atlantic can follow a variety of different paths, such as up the East coast, through Florida, towards Louisiana, and into Mexico.

Scientists are estimating a 42% chance that a hurricane will hit the Gulf coast, which stretches between Texas and western Florida.

In the case that storm does head for Texas, you can prepare by familiarizing yourself with the difference between a hurricane watch and warning, as well as our Hurricane Safety & Preparedness Guide.

An energy provider that cares

When choosing an electricity provider in Texas, it’s important to select a company that has experience dealing with hurricanes. BKV Energy’s team has firsthand experience dealing with hurricanes. We’re prepared to offer support before, during, and after major disasters.

Explore rates in your neighborhood by entering your zip code. BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan is simple, affordable, and packed with benefits.

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Hurricanes and typhoons are the same type of storm, a tropical cyclone, but they are given different names based on where they occur.

Hurricanes vs typhoons

Hurricane is the term used for storms that mostly impact the Caribbean, the United States, Mexico, and Central America. These storms form and travel through the North Atlantic, the Central North Pacific, and the Eastern North Pacific.

Typhoon is the term used for storms that mostly impact Japan, the Philippines, China, Taiwan, and Korea. Cyclones in this part of the world form over the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

As the primary difference between a hurricane and typhoon is geographical, they are very similar. Both are characterized cyclical motion around a low-pressure center, high winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.

Other names for tropical cyclones?

Tropical cyclones form in other areas around the globe as well, such as the South Pacific and Southeast Indian Ocean, North Indian Ocean, Southwest Indian Ocean, near Australia, and Southern Pacific Ocean.

In these regions, the cyclical storms are simply referred to as cyclones or tropical cyclones.

How are tropical cyclones different from tornadoes and monsoons?

Monsoons vs tropical cyclones

While both monsoons and tropical cyclones (also known as hurricanes and typhoons depending on the location) are significant atmospheric phenomena resulting in wind and heavy rain, they differ rather drastically in their nature, formation, and impact.

A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originate from in tropical or subtropical seas. They form as a result of a combination of warm sea surface temperatures, low air pressure near the Earth’s surface, reduced vertical wind shear, and the Coriolis effect. These storms, often 180-300 miles wide, have intense rain and wind rotating around a central eye that lead to flooding, storm surges, and wind damage. Cyclones are typically short-lived storms, lasting a few days to a couple weeks.

On the other hand, a monsoon is a seasonal wind pattern that can last months, dropping heavy rain as a result of mismatched heating of land and sea. During the summer, land heats up more quickly than the ocean, causing air over the land to warm and rise. This creates a low pressure area that draws in most air from the ocean, which leads to have rainfall.

Unlike a cyclone, monsoons have lower speeds, do not revolve around a central eye, and can last several months while impact entire countries or continents. A tropical cyclone will impact a comparatively much smaller area.

Tornadoes vs hurricanes

Tornadoes and hurricanes are both types of rotating weather phenomena, but they have several major distinctions between them.

First, hurricanes and tornados have significant different sizes. A hurricane may be up to 300 miles wide, but tornadoes are much smaller, typically several hundred feet wide. The largest tornadoes may have a diameter just over a mile.

Next, tornadoes are much more short-lived than hurricanes. While a hurricane may last a couple weeks, a tornado may last a few minutes to an hour.

These weather patterns also derive their energy from very different sources. As mentioned previously, a hurricane uses warm ocean water as fuel. A tornado forms as a result of atmospheric instability from a land-based thunderstorm.

Finally, there is a major difference in potential wind speed. Tornadoes have the highest wind speeds on Earth. The tornado with greatest wind speed every record was over 300 miles per hour in Oklahoma in 1999. The highest wind speed recorded from a hurricane was 190 miles per hour, set in 1980 by Hurricane Allen. A category 5 hurricane will never approach the high wind speeds of the fastest tornados.

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Additionally, weather data going back to the mid-1800s shows that storms in the Atlantic basin are growing more common and more likely to develop into major hurricanes characterized as category 3, 4 or 5 storms.

However, it’s worth noting that in the 1800s and part of the early 1900s, our ability to measure the strength and the quantity of hurricanes each season was much weaker than today. It’s very likely that data from before the 1950s is incomplete and would not be a reliable source of information to determine longer term trends surrounding storms that develop in the tropical Atlantic.

As technology has improved with better measuring instruments, as well as the ability to monitor and track the progression of every storm from space, both the quantity and quality of our data on the frequency and strength of hurricanes in the Atlantic basin has advanced drastically.

What causes a hurricane?

Hurricanes form as a result of the combination of several factors:

• Warm sea surface temperatures: Hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean waters. The warmer the water, the more water can evaporate into the atmosphere to form rain clouds that are the basis for a tropical storm and eventually a hurricane.
• Atmospheric instability: Low air pressure near the surface of the ocean is crucial for the formation of a hurricane. Air moves towards areas of low pressure, as warm air rushes into an area of low pressure, it has nowhere to go but up as it has a lower density than cool air. When warm air rises, it brings moisture with it, allowing for the formation of more rain clouds.
• Proper wind conditions: Hurricanes require high winds near the surface of the Earth and low winds higher in the atmosphere.
• Coriolis effect: The Coriolis effect is a force resulting from the rotation of our planet. This force is what provides the spinning motion of a hurricane.

What makes hurricanes stronger?

Many studies suggest that anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change or global warming may be the source of the increase in hurricane frequency and intensity since the 1980s.

As human activity has led to more and more greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, ocean temperatures have increased. As already mentioned, hurricanes require warm seas to develop. And the warmer the water, the higher the chance that a storm can develop into a major hurricane.

The other issue commonly cited is sea level rise. The main sources of sea level rise are also a result of global warming:

• Melting ice sheets and glaciers
• Thermal expansion (water expanding as it gets warmer)

As ocean levels continue to rise, this can lead to more devastation when a hurricane does make landfall. When a hurricane reaches the land, it brings a storm surge with it. A storm surge is abnormally high level of water (above predicted tides) brought by tropical storms and hurricanes. With higher ocean levels, storm surges increase in intensity, causing more damage and destruction from the flooding.

Does data support the claim that human activity is directly making hurricanes worse? Let’s dig in further.

Is human activity making hurricanes worse?

If human activity releasing more greenhouse gases has caused global temperatures to rise, it might seem obvious that anthropogenic climate change would also be responsible for more hurricanes and more hurricanes that reach category 3, 4, or 5.

Many studies project that increased temperatures will make hurricanes more frequent and increase the proportion that develop into major hurricanes, but historical data makes it difficult to say for certain that human activity is the cause of the reported increase in hurricane activity since the 1980s.

Thomas Knutson, senior scientist at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), has analyzed many scientific studies of global warming and Atlantic hurricane activity and came to the conclusion that “historical Atlantic hurricane data at this stage do not provide compelling evidence for a substantial greenhouse warming-induced century-scale increase in: frequency of tropical storms, hurricanes, or major hurricanes, or in the proportion of hurricanes that become major hurricanes.”

This, however, does not necessarily mean that human activity is not the cause of or will not cause more frequent and stronger hurricanes. What it means is that the available data on global warming and hurricanes doesn’t prove the assertion. It’s possible that if we had more data of a higher quality going back the last couple centuries, the team at the GFDL may have come to a different conclusion. In their report they state “more research is needed for more confident conclusions.”

The scientists at the NOAA were able to state some conclusions more confidently:

• There is a detectable increase between 1982-2009 in Atlantic hurricane rapid intensification, or how quickly a hurricane develops into a major hurricane.
• Extreme precipitation and tropical cyclone events in Texas and Puerto Rico suggest that human causes are starting to have an impact on storms that develop in the Atlantic.
• Hurricanes are moving slower over land in the U.S. (which means they can cause more damage), but the cause is uncertain.

Conclusion

So, are hurricanes getting stronger? Are stronger hurricanes a result of human activity releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere? The real is answer is scientists are not yet 100% sure.

When analyzing storm data since the 1980s, it seems clear that there are more hurricanes and more dangerous hurricanes. However, when taking a closer look at data going back to the 1800s, things become less clear.

Leading experts in the field have a hard time saying with certainty that the data proves these assertions that hurricanes are becoming stronger and more frequent. Here’s what to take away from this article:

• Human activity cause global warming through the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
• Global warming can create the right oceanic and atmospheric conditions to strengthen hurricanes.
• It’s possible, but not proven beyond a doubt that human activity is increasing the incidence and power of hurricanes.

An electricity provider you can trust

As the next hurricane season approaches, it’s important to think about who you trust to provide your home’s electricity. At BKV Energy, our plans are affordable, simple, and transparent. We approach hurricane season in a similar way to the way we design our electricity plans.

We rely on real science and data. You won’t receive any typical media “doom and gloom” from us, just honesty and accuracy. We’re prepared to offer support to our customers before, during, and after any potential natural disaster, all while providing electricity at an affordable rate. Enter your zip code to explore plans in your area and discover the huge benefits of the Bluebonnet plan.

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On April 29, the Colorado State University Tropical Weather & Climate Research team released their forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. They are expecting this season to be one of the most active in history.

They are predicting 23 named tropical storms or hurricanes, meaning the storm has reached a development stage with sustained winds of at least 39 mph.

From those 23 storms, they predict eleven of them will reach the status of hurricane and five will develop to at least category 5 with sustained winds of 111 miles per hour or more.

When is hurricane season?

Official hurricane season for the Atlantic begins on June 1st and ends November 30th.

Why is the 2024 hurricane season expected to be so active?

There are several reasons that researchers and scientists expect the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season to have so many named storms.

1. Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures

Sea surface temperatures in tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters are higher than normal. Tropical cyclones need warm water to develop into storms and major hurricanes. Historically, the presence of above-normal temperature water is associated with an active hurricane season in the Atlantic basin.

2. Comparisons to historical data

Researchers have noted that air pressure and wind conditions measured this year have resembled conditions from overactive hurricane seasons of the past. When warm water, low air pressure, and high winds combine, they can create a self-enhancing feedback loop that can fuel more hurricanes, and more hurricanes that reach higher wind speeds.

3. Transition from El Niño to La Niña

Climate scientists expect climate conditions to soon shift from El Niño to La Niña.

El Niño and La Niña are opposing climate patterns related to the direction and intensity of winds, sea water temperatures, and air pressure over the Pacific Ocean.

• El Niño: During El Niño, winds weaken and more warm water is pushed towards the American west coast.
• La Niña: During La Niña, the reserve occurs. Winds grow in strength and warm water is pushed towards Asia.

Conditions during the La Niña pattern are just right for an Atlantic hurricane season with increased severity.

This occurs because the change in wind direction allows for a reduction in wind shear, or the change in wind speed with height in the atmosphere. Wind shear can disrupt the formation of strong hurricanes because hurricanes are able to grow stronger when winds at high altitudes are weaker.

How does the 2024 hurricane season forecast compare to the average?

Colorado State University researchers compared their forecast to the average data from hurricane seasons past. Here’s how their prediction stacks up:

Where do they expect hurricanes to make landfall?

The April 2024 hurricane forecast from CSU also included their predictions for where hurricanes may make landfall.

• Entire U.S. Coastline: They predict a probability of 62% that the U.S. coastline will be struck by a hurricane. The average probability between 1880-2020 is 43%.
• U.S. East Coast: They predict a 34% that the east coast of the U.S. will be struck by a hurricane, compared the average of 21% from 1880-2020. This region includes the east coast of the country from Florida to Maine.
• Gulf Coast: The team predicts a 42% that the Gulf coast will be hit by a hurricane, compared to the average of 27% from 1880-2020. This region includes Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

How the 2024 hurricane season may impact the Texas power grid

Hurricanes in the past, such as Katrina or Harvey, that have struck the United States have been particularly devastating to human life, animal life, residential and commercial property, and the electric grid.

When Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017, homes and businesses in the region were without power for days or weeks depending on the specific location. It’s estimated that there were over 300,000 homes without power at the peak of the disaster.

This forecast predicts an overactive hurricane season. If or when a hurricane makes landfall, major hurricanes are expected to inflict significant damage to infrastructure providing power to Texans. Here’s how you can prepare to protect your family, home, and pets from a potential hurricane.

Remember to familiarize yourself with the meaning of different hurricane alerts and warning systems so you can begin preparation in the right amount of time.

Switch to an electricity provider that cares

As the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, it is important to reconsider your choice of electricity provider and ensure that they are prepared to support you during a potential natural disaster.

When you choose BKV Energy, you can rest easy that you’re home’s electricity is in the hands of Texans who have not only experienced hurricanes firsthand, but are prepared to keep you updated, offer safety tips, and offer support during and after a storm.

If you’re looking for a provider that offers simple and affordable plans, enter your zip to explore rates in your area.

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Hurricanes and tropical storms are assigned names from six lists created by the National Hurricane Center and maintained by the World Meteorological Organization. Each list contains 21 names in alphabetical order, alternating between male and female names. The lists rotate every six years, meaning that the list of names used in 2024 will be used again in 2030.

The names are purposefully short and distinctive to reduce confusion in written and spoken communication surrounding a particular storm, whether that’s in the news or between coastal bases and ships at sea.

There are no names on the list starting with the letters Q, U, X, Y, or Z because those names are less common and often harder to understand across spoken languages.

This naming system is especially useful because at the same time, multiple hurricanes or tropical cyclones can be forming in the Atlantic, approaching landfall, or actively hitting land.

Tropical cyclones like hurricanes and typhoons occur in several parts of the globe: the Atlantic, the eastern Pacific, and the central Pacific. Each region has it’s own set of name lists.

Hurricane name lists for 2024 through 2029

Retired hurricane names

If a storm is particularly destructive, deadly, or costly, the World Meteorological Organization will remove that name from the list in sensitivity to those impacted by the event and another name is added to replace it. Hurricanes that have their names removed from the list are often meet the requirements to be characterized as category 3, 4, or 5.

Since 1954, 96 names have been retired from the list. You may recognize some of the more recently retired names:

• Hurricane Harvey, retired 2017
• Hurricane Sandy, retired 2012
• Hurricane Katrina, retired 2005

View the full list of retired Atlantic hurricane names on the National Hurricane Center website.

What happens when there are more than 21 storms in one season?

You may notice each list only has 21 names. In the case there are more than 21 named tropical storms or hurricanes in one season, additional names are pulled from a supplemental list of names managed by the World Meteorological Organization.

Meteorologists and hurricane experts are predicting the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be extremely active. They expect 23 storms to reach the stage of tropical storm or hurricane, which means it’s likely that the supplemental list of names will come in handy this year.

Choose an electricity provider that cares

As the 2024 hurricane season approaches, it’s necessary to think about your choice of electricity provider. Texans deserve a provider that truly cares about the safety of its customers and is ready to support during and after a potential disaster.

Switching to BKV Energy means you can rest easy that your home’s energy comes from a company that has not only experienced hurricanes on the Texas Gulf coast firsthand, but is prepared to keep you updated, provide safety tips, and offer affordable energy during the recovery period after a destructive storm.

If you’re ready to make the switch, enter your zip code to discover low, fixed rate plans in your area.

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What’s the difference between a hurricane watch and hurricane warning?

A hurricane watch and a hurricane warning serve as vital alerts, but they indicate different levels of urgency.

• Hurricane watch: When a hurricane watch is issued, it means that hurricane conditions, such as high winds and heavy rainfall, are possible within the next 48 hours. When watches are announced, it’s time to start preparing.
• Hurricane warning: Warnings are more immediate and indicate that hurricane conditions are expected in the area within the next 36 hours. At this point, it’s crucial to finalize preparations, follow local officials, and be ready to take action.

What is a hurricane watch?

A hurricane watch is an alert issued by weather authorities to indicate that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher) are possible within a specified area. This watch is generally issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds (winds of 39 to 73 mph), which could include heavy rain, storm surge, and coastal flooding.

The purpose of a hurricane watch is to inform residents and businesses that they should start preparing for the possibility of a hurricane. This preparation might include securing property, assembling disaster supplies, planning evacuation routes, and staying informed about the storm’s progress. This alert gives people enough time to make preparations before conditions deteriorate, making it unsafe to do so.

What is a hurricane warning?

A hurricane warning is issued to indicate that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher) are expected within a specified area.

Unlike a hurricane watch, a warning is more urgent and indicates that hurricane conditions are not just possible—they are anticipated. This warning is typically issued 36 hours in advance of the expected onset of tropical-storm-force winds to give people and communities time to complete their preparations for the storm. This includes finalizing protective actions for life and property.

When a hurricane warning is issued, it is crucial for residents in the affected area to finish their storm preparations quickly and be ready to evacuate if advised by local officials. The warning is a signal that weather conditions will deteriorate significantly and could become life-threatening.

A hurricane may be ranked on a scale of 1-5, with a category 5 hurricane being the strongest and most destructive.

Tropical storm watch vs tropical storm warning

What is the difference between a tropical storm watch and a tropical storm warning? Well, tropical storm watch and tropical storm warning alerts work in a similar fashion to hurricane watch and hurricane warning advisories.

• Tropical storm watch: A tropical storm watch is issued when wind speeds of a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of 39 to 74 mph poses a possible threat in the next 48 hours. A watch alert does not mean that the tropical storm will occur, rather that the conditions are possible.
• Tropical storm warning: A tropical storm warning is issued when a tropical cyclone is expected to pose a threat in the next 36 hours. When a warning is issued, those in the path of the storm should begin preparations to protect their property and their lives.

Switch to BKV Energy

Understanding the difference between a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning is important for keeping your family safe. Choosing an electricity provider that understands the needs of Texans in the potential path of a hurricane is equally important.

When you choose BKV Energy as your electricity provider, you’re making a choice to receive power from a company that truly cares about its customers and is ready to support them when the time comes. Enter your zip code to find affordable energy in your neighborhood and to discover the many benefits and rewards of the Bluebonnet plan.

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Hurricanes are powerful tropical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters in the Atlantic or the northeastern Pacific Ocean. These storms are characterized by intense wind speeds, heavy rainfall, and often accompanied by storm surges and coastal flooding. Hurricanes are among the most destructive natural phenomena.

Hurricane systems are distinguished by their low-pressure centers called an “eye.” The eye of the storm is surrounded by a wall of intense storms called the “eyewall.” This area is where the highest winds and heaviest rains occur. Around the eyewall, bands of clouds and storms can extend outwards for hundreds of miles.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes form thanks to a perfect storm of atmospheric and oceanic conditions. Here’s an explanation of the process step-by-step:

1. Warm ocean water

Hurricanes typically form over tropical areas of the ocean where the water temperature is at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm water acts as fuel for a hurricane by providing the heat and moisture needed to power the storm.

2. Atmospheric instability

Warm, moist air rises up from the ocean surface. As it rises, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and releasing heat. This released heat warms the air around it, causing the air to rise further and creating more clouds and condensation.

3. Low pressure area

As warm air continues to rise, it leaves a lower pressure region near the surface. Air from surrounding areas with higher pressure moves into the low pressure area, then warms and rises as well, continuing the cycle.

4. Coriolis effect

The rotation of the Earth causes the path of the moving air to curve (right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern Hemisphere), a phenomenon known as the Coriolis effect. This effect is essential for the development of the rotating structure of a hurricane.

5. Consolidation

The storm system begins to organize and consolidate with the help of the Coriolis effect, developing a well-defined rotation around a central core, or “eye.” The system strengthens as more warm, moist air is drawn into the circulating storm.

6. Tropical storm to hurricane

As the rotating storm system gains energy from the ocean’s heat, its wind speeds will increase. When these winds reach 39 mph (63 km/h), the system is classified as a tropical storm. If it continues to grow and the winds exceed 74 mph (119 km/h), it becomes classified as a hurricane.

When a tropical storm or hurricane approaches land, watch or warning alerts will be announced to the public to allow them to prepare before the storm arrives. At that time, those in the path of the storm should begin to take action to protect their property and lives, by sheltering in a safe place or leaving the area.

What are the development stages of a hurricane?

Hurricane formation can be tracked with the following stage progression:

• Disturbance formation
• Tropical disturbance
• Tropical depression
• Tropical storm
• Hurricane
• Dissipation

The lifecycle stages a hurricane passes through are not meant to be confused with 5 categories of hurricanes. Rather, hurricane categories measure sustained wind speed.

Hurricane stages explained

Choose an electricity provider that cares

It’s important for Texans to understand how hurricanes form, how they might impact their family and home, and how to prepare when a hurricane is headed in your direction.

A focus on hurricane safety and preparedness underscores the need to choose an electricity provider that is ready to truly care for and support their customers in case of a natural disaster.

If you switch to BKV Energy, you can rest easy that if a hurricane is headed your way, we’ll be right there with you to provide safety tips, keep you updated, and support you after the storm subsides. Enter your zip code to explore rates in your area and discover the many rewards and benefits of the Bluebonnet plan.

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