Ahead of the Storm: Outlook for 2025 hurricane season, remembering Hurricane Katrina

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The StormTracker Team at Louisiana First News has everything you need to know for hurricane preparedness.

On the “Ahead of the Storm” special, anchor Andre Moreau and Louisiana First meteorologists provide key updates on storm predictions and hurricane preparedness.

Since 2000, at least 40 tropical or subtropical cyclones have impacted Louisiana, with the most recent being Hurricane Francine on Sept. 11, 2024.

Forecast for 2025 Hurricane Season

Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict an above-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin this year.

• 60% chance of an above-normal season.
• 30% chance of a near-normal season.
• 10% chance of a below-normal season.

Between 13 to 19 named storms are expected to form, with six to 10 potentially becoming hurricanes. Of those, 3 to 5 could be major hurricanes.

Experts remind residents that not all storms will make landfall in Louisiana, and some may either hit other parts of the U.S. coast or dissipate at sea. Still, preparation is essential every season.

Storm names for 2025:

• Andrea
• Barry
• Chantal
• Dexter
• Erin
• Fernand
• Gabrielle
• Humberto
• Imelda
• Jerry
• Karen
• Lorenzo
• Melissa
• Nestor
• Olga
• Pablo
• Rebekah
• Sebastien
• Tanya
• Van
• Wendy

Remembering Hurricane Katrina 20 Years Later

This year marks 20 years since Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic storms in U.S. history. Katrina struck Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2005, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 mph.

The failure of levees in New Orleans led to catastrophic flooding, contributing to the deaths of over 1,300 people in the state. The storm caused billions of dollars in damage and forever changed the landscape and resilience planning of Louisiana.

As 2025’s hurricane season begins, residents are urged to take preparedness seriously. The season is from June 1 to Nov. 30.

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