Hurricane season starts June 1, and it’s best to prepare as early as you can.
One important thing to do first is sign up for Reverse Alert emergency notifications.
The city of Corpus Christi and Nueces County partnered to provide the emergency alert program for citizens, which allows officials to alert the public about a potential safety hazard or concern through a voice or text message.
Sign up by texting BEREADYCCNC to 888777 to receive alerts.
The Caller-Times put together its yearly guide to everything you need to know on preparation, the forecast and things to know for the weeks to come.
What is the forecast for 2025?
The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration announced May 22 an above-average hurricane season for 2025.
NOAA is predicting 13 to 19 tropical storms being named, six to 10 hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes to form in the Atlantic Ocean. In 2014, 18 storms formed.
NOAA has a 70% confidence with these ranges, according to a news release.
This season is expected to be above normal due to an assemblage of factors, including continued El Niño/Southern Oscillation neutral conditions, warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, forecasts for weak wind shear and the potential for higher activity from the West African monsoon — a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes.
This hurricane season features the potential for a northward shift of the West African monsoon, producing tropical waves that seed some of the strongest and most long-lived Atlantic storms.
What are the names for possible tropical storms?
Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. The names for the 2025 hurricane season include:
How do I prepare?
Plan for any possible situations in advance.
Some important questions to ask yourself and family are: How will we get to a safe place? How will we contact each other? What if our plan has to adapt to a sudden change?
If possible, ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as a “family contact” and have your family members check in with them in case of separation.
Make sure all family members know how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water, as well as how and when to call 911 and which radio and TV stations to tune into for emergency situations.
Preparing your home:
Packing your emergency kit:
What do I do during a hurricane watch/warning?
When in a hurricane watch, meaning conditions are expected within 48 hours, here’s what to do:
A hurricane warning means conditions are expected within 36 hours, so here’s what to do:
How should I plan my evacuation?
The city of Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority and Corpus Christi Independent School District partner annually to provide a system to help people get safely out of the path of a possible incoming hurricane.
People should head to the nearest RTA bus stop and you will be taken (free of charge) to a hub for processing. By way of a CCISD bus, you will be transported out of town and out of harm’s way. For more information, contact the Office of Emergency Management at 361-826-1100.
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve. Turn off propane tanks, empty the refrigerator and freezer, lock your home and take all pets with you.
Be sure to inform someone outside of the storm where you are going in case of an emergency.
What are some alternative evacuation routes?
Plan on evacuating on your own? Know your route and have a plan for where you will stay once you reach your destination. Leave as soon as possible, avoid flooded roads and watch out for washed-out bridges.
Do I need home insurance for hurricanes?
During a hurricane, floods are highly likely.
Talk to your insurance agent, or look online for one, to get a flood, windstorm and hurricane policy. Be sure to act quickly because there’s a 30-day waiting period before it’s active.
Once a named storm enters the Gulf of Mexico (renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America), most insurance companies enact a moratorium — a temporary suspension — and stop selling new policies or making changes to existing ones.
Make sure to consider comprehensive auto insurance that will cover damage to your car from flood, hail, fire and wind.
What if I want to stay home and not evacuate?
While some may evacuate if a hurricane is set to make landfall, others might stay and brave the storm.
Those who remain should abide by instructions issued by city officials and leave immediately if ordered.
If you are staying, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level of the building during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can. Stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
If the eye of the storm passes over your area, there will be a short period of calm, but as soon as the eye passes, the wind speed will rapidly increase to hurricane-force winds coming from the opposite direction. Be sure to stay sheltered until the storm has fully passed if you don’t evacuate.
What do I do after a storm?
Stay tuned to local radio, television and online news sources for information.
If you’re able to, help injured or trapped people. If they are seriously injured, do not move them unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Give first aid where appropriate and call for help.
Once authorities advise residents to return home, do so. Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police or fire department.
When entering your home, do it with caution as snakes, insects and animals may be inside from avoiding floods. Open your windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home in the case of a flood. Check your refrigerator for spoilage and discard if necessary.
If there is damage, take photos for insurance claims.
If you need to drive anywhere, only do if necessary. Avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Have a story idea? Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: 2025 hurricane season: Your guide to storm forecast, preparation and more
Reporting by John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
