11/30/2025 – Today marks the end of the 2025 hurricane season. It was average in terms of the number of storms, but unusual in terms of where they tracked. These three screen captures from the National Hurricane Center tell the story.
2025 Named-Storm Tracks. Only one named storm hit the mainland U.S. – Chantal in early July.And none hit the US Gulf Coast.
This table shows the strength and timing of each.
And this table compares the 2025 season to a 30-year average (1991-2020).
So, the Atlantic basin had one less named storm, two fewer hurricanes, and one more major hurricane than in an average year. But for the most part, they stayed away from the U.S.
Actual Vs. Predicted
For those keeping track, in April, Colorado State University researchers predicted an above-average season with
CSU also predicted the probability of where storms would make landfall. Texas residents, they said, had a 19% chance of being within 50 miles of a major hurricane landfall this season. Those chances increased to 44% for a hurricane and 70% for a named storm. Oops.
All in, I’d say NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predictions came closer to the actual numbers, though neither was very far off.
Actual Vs. Averages
But how did the 2025 season compare to the long-term averages?
Over a 50-year period (1949–2008), the Gulf of Mexico averaged about 3.2 tropical storms per season, 1.6 hurricanes, and ~0.4 major hurricanes.
On a basin-wide (Atlantic + Caribbean + Gulf) basis, typical recent-era (1991–2020) seasons averaged 14 named storms, ~7 hurricanes, and ~3 major hurricanes.
So, the Gulf had far less activity than in an average year. However, basin wide, we came close to the average.
How Unusual Was Gulf This Year?
How unusual is it for the Gulf to have no hurricanes? Over the long term, the probability is about 20%. So it’s unusual, but far from unprecedented. There are multiple historical examples of No-Gulf-Hurricane seasons.
The longest recorded “Gulf hurricane drought” on record lasted 1,080 days (≈ 3 years), from September 2013 until September 2016 — during that period, no hurricanes entered or developed in the Gulf, according to The Weather Channel.
Why does that happen occasionally? It usually reflects unfavorable conditions for storm formation or strengthening in our sub-basin (e.g., upper-level wind shear, atmospheric stability, unfavorable steering currents). But as the map above shows, that does not mean the overall Atlantic or Caribbean is quiet. Storms may still form and even become major hurricanes, but track elsewhere, as Melissa did.
Plan for Worst, Hope for Best
The variability — including periods of many storms — argues for resilience and planning, even if some seasons are quiet. The recent cyclones that struck Sri Lanka and Indonesia make good cases in point.
Deadly floods and landslides in Sri Lanka left at least 153 people dead with hundreds more still missing at this point. According to Reuters, more than 78,000 people have been displaced.
Another cyclone struck Indonesia and killed 435 people. It destroyed tens of thousands of homes and displaced more than 200,000 people. And the cascading effects are just starting. Flooding and landslides disrupt not only homes, but agriculture, transport, and supply chains — with ripple effects on food security, local economies, and displacement.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/30/25
3015 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251130-2025-Hurricane-Tracks.jpg?fit=1100%2C876&ssl=18761100adminadmin2025-11-30 12:31:462025-12-01 09:18:05Average But Unusual 2025 Hurricane Season Ends Today
11/28/25 – Turning from the northbound US59 feeder these days onto eastbound Northpark Drive can test one’s patience. Last Wednesday – near midday – traffic was backed up for four blocks. And it took several cycles of a very long traffic light to make the turn. See below.
Looking S at traffic backed up on US59 northbound feeder at mid-day on Wednesday, 11/26/25
Note how the two turn lanes on the feeder are temporarily blocked off.
Fortunately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 is actively working on solutions to the problem.
Why Northbound Turn Lanes are Closed
The two northbound turn lanes are blocked off because of the current shortage of inbound merging lanes on Northpark. Four lanes of traffic (two turning and two coming from under the freeway) must squeeze into two lanes. And those two lanes swerve within feet of the intersection. See below.
Looking W at US59 from over Northpark. Note step-shaped piece of old pavement near intersection.
Reportedly, the new paving stopped short of the freeway at this location to avoid a closure of the road for inbound traffic.
But at some point that odd “step-shaped” area of old concrete and blacktop will have to be replaced with new concrete. And at this point, project manager Ralph De Leon thinks that should happen sooner rather than later. So he’s looking at alternatives.
“This odd area of original concrete immediately east of the intersection of the I-69 and Northpark is the issue,” said De Leon. “It needs to be torn out and replaced with new concrete. And due to its difficult location, the contractor has held off. They will probably need to close that area beginning on a Friday night, reopening on a Sunday. It will take three days.”
Engineers Studying Fix
De Leon added, “The engineers are evaluating shifting the inbound traffic northward to the current outbound lanes while the activity is taking place. Thus, instead of four westbound lanes, they will go down to two lanes both directions, but only for the weekend. And after that, we are good for the remainder of the project,” he added.
The engineers and contractor are also looking at creating “merge lanes” further to the east. They would be located roughly in the vicinity of What-a-Burger. Moving the merge area eastward, away from the intersection may improve safety.
De Leon says the engineers are now working on a Traffic Control Plan. However, before they can implement it, the contractors we will need to fabricate traffic signs that guide traffic to the merging lanes.
Regardless of which option the engineers recommend, that odd shaped piece of old pavement will need to shut down from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to replace the old concrete with new panels. The wider shot below shows where turning traffic could merge.
Looking W from farther back shows where traffic turning off US59 could merge with other inbound traffic.
Reconstruction of a major thoroughfare is never easy. However, when this is complete, it will provide major improvements to both mobility and safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/28/25
3013 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/20251126-DJI_20251126145900_0468_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2025-11-28 16:58:452025-11-28 17:32:52Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion
11/28/25 – On Monday, 11/26/25, two tornadoes swept through Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s Precinct 3 in northwest Harris County. Yesterday, the National Weather Service assessed the damage. Even though it was not flood related, many readers live in those areas. Therefore, I am publishing this two part post. The first part covers where the damage occurred. The second covers the County’s cleanup plan.
Where Damage Occurred
Two tornadoes touched down and caused widespread damage. The information below comes from Harris County’s meteorologist, Jeff Lindner.
Tornado 1 (Towne Lake and Riata Ranch):
The first tornado began just south of Tuckerton Rd west of Barker Cypress and tracked northward through the eastern sections of Towne Lake. It then moved alongside Barker Cypress from near Cypress N Houston Rd to just south of US 290. The tornado lifted just before US 290 and no damage was found on the north side of US 290.
This tornado was rated an EF-1 with maximum winds of 105mph along the west side of Barker Cypress where residential houses suffered roof damage. The damage included uplift and loss of portions of roof decking. Much of the track was rated EF-0 with wind speeds of 65-85mph.
Track Length: 2.6 miles
Width: 500 yards
Estimated maximum wind: 105mph
Time: 1:23pm to 1:28pm
Path of Tornado #1on 11/26/25
Tornado 2 (Klein):
The second tornado began just north of Louetta Rd., east of Cutten Rd. It tracked generally northeastward across Champion Forest Dr and just north of Theiss Elementary School. Then, it crossed Stuebner-Airline Rd near Klein Emergency Services District (ESD) 11, destroying a shed and snapping several large pine trees.
Next, it moved north-northeast impacting the Klein ESD 16 facilities. Finally, it crossed Spring Cypress impacting portions of the Klein ISD bus and maintenance area before dissipating over an open field to the north.
The majority of the track experienced EF-0 and lower end EF-1 damage, but isolated pockets of higher end EF-1 and EF-2 damage were noted between Stuebner Airline to Champions Forest Dr. There, significant portions of roofing material were removed on some residential structures. Portions of outside-facing brick walls also failed.
Additionally, extensive tree damage occurred through much of the path. Several houses suffered significant damage due to tree impacts.
The maximum rating was EF-2 with estimated winds of 115-125mph. Approximately 150 homes sustained damage with at least 12 suffering major damage.
Track Length: 3.8 miles
Width: 500 yards
Estimated maximum wind: 115mph
Time: 1:41pm to 1:47pm
Path of Tornado #2 on 11/26/25
Clean-Up Plan
Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s crews were out yesterday, working diligently to remove roadside storm debris left by the twisters.
Starting Monday, December 1, 2025, Precinct 3 crews will begin picking up debris in neighborhoods impacted by the tornado. Please follow the debris separation guidelines below to ensure safe and efficient pick-up.
📞 Residents should report their debris by calling 713-274-3100 or submitting a report at pct3.com/service-request. Select “Road & Bridge Maintenance” on the drop down menu.
The county and its partners have also set up several debris drop off locations.
Please note that hours have been updated for these temporary debris drop-off locations and that they are specifically for Harris County residents affected by the tornado.
These sites will open December 1-5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and December 6-7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
See locations below:
📍 Deputy Darren Goforth Park (Dog Park Side): 9402 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, TX 77095
📍 Kissing Tree Park: 5707 Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77379
Additional Recover Partners
Trinity Klein Lutheran Church: Phone: (281) 376-5773 Website: trinityklein.org
American Red Cross Disaster Assistance: Phone: (800) 733-2767
Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Survey:Website: bit.ly/tornadoistat
Giving Thanks
We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The tornadoes were relatively weak. No one was killed or seriously injured. And Commissioner Ramsey, his team and community partners are working diligently to clear roads and help clean up the debris.
Please remember this holiday season to help your neighbors anyway you can.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/26/25
3011 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tornado-Path-2.png?fit=734%2C814&ssl=1814734adminadmin2025-11-26 18:19:382025-11-26 18:19:39Tornado Report: Storm Tracks and Debris Cleanup Plan
Average But Unusual 2025 Hurricane Season Ends Today
11/30/2025 – Today marks the end of the 2025 hurricane season. It was average in terms of the number of storms, but unusual in terms of where they tracked. These three screen captures from the National Hurricane Center tell the story.
This table shows the strength and timing of each.
And this table compares the 2025 season to a 30-year average (1991-2020).
So, the Atlantic basin had one less named storm, two fewer hurricanes, and one more major hurricane than in an average year. But for the most part, they stayed away from the U.S.
Actual Vs. Predicted
For those keeping track, in April, Colorado State University researchers predicted an above-average season with
Then in May, NOAA also predicted an above-average season with:
CSU also predicted the probability of where storms would make landfall. Texas residents, they said, had a 19% chance of being within 50 miles of a major hurricane landfall this season. Those chances increased to 44% for a hurricane and 70% for a named storm. Oops.
All in, I’d say NOAA’s National Hurricane Center predictions came closer to the actual numbers, though neither was very far off.
Actual Vs. Averages
But how did the 2025 season compare to the long-term averages?
So, the Gulf had far less activity than in an average year. However, basin wide, we came close to the average.
How Unusual Was Gulf This Year?
How unusual is it for the Gulf to have no hurricanes? Over the long term, the probability is about 20%. So it’s unusual, but far from unprecedented. There are multiple historical examples of No-Gulf-Hurricane seasons.
The longest recorded “Gulf hurricane drought” on record lasted 1,080 days (≈ 3 years), from September 2013 until September 2016 — during that period, no hurricanes entered or developed in the Gulf, according to The Weather Channel.
Why does that happen occasionally? It usually reflects unfavorable conditions for storm formation or strengthening in our sub-basin (e.g., upper-level wind shear, atmospheric stability, unfavorable steering currents). But as the map above shows, that does not mean the overall Atlantic or Caribbean is quiet. Storms may still form and even become major hurricanes, but track elsewhere, as Melissa did.
Plan for Worst, Hope for Best
The variability — including periods of many storms — argues for resilience and planning, even if some seasons are quiet. The recent cyclones that struck Sri Lanka and Indonesia make good cases in point.
Deadly floods and landslides in Sri Lanka left at least 153 people dead with hundreds more still missing at this point. According to Reuters, more than 78,000 people have been displaced.
Another cyclone struck Indonesia and killed 435 people. It destroyed tens of thousands of homes and displaced more than 200,000 people. And the cascading effects are just starting. Flooding and landslides disrupt not only homes, but agriculture, transport, and supply chains — with ripple effects on food security, local economies, and displacement.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/30/25
3015 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Planners Seek to Relieve US59 Feeder Congestion
11/28/25 – Turning from the northbound US59 feeder these days onto eastbound Northpark Drive can test one’s patience. Last Wednesday – near midday – traffic was backed up for four blocks. And it took several cycles of a very long traffic light to make the turn. See below.
Note how the two turn lanes on the feeder are temporarily blocked off.
Fortunately, the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ 10 is actively working on solutions to the problem.
Why Northbound Turn Lanes are Closed
The two northbound turn lanes are blocked off because of the current shortage of inbound merging lanes on Northpark. Four lanes of traffic (two turning and two coming from under the freeway) must squeeze into two lanes. And those two lanes swerve within feet of the intersection. See below.
Reportedly, the new paving stopped short of the freeway at this location to avoid a closure of the road for inbound traffic.
But at some point that odd “step-shaped” area of old concrete and blacktop will have to be replaced with new concrete. And at this point, project manager Ralph De Leon thinks that should happen sooner rather than later. So he’s looking at alternatives.
“This odd area of original concrete immediately east of the intersection of the I-69 and Northpark is the issue,” said De Leon. “It needs to be torn out and replaced with new concrete. And due to its difficult location, the contractor has held off. They will probably need to close that area beginning on a Friday night, reopening on a Sunday. It will take three days.”
Engineers Studying Fix
De Leon added, “The engineers are evaluating shifting the inbound traffic northward to the current outbound lanes while the activity is taking place. Thus, instead of four westbound lanes, they will go down to two lanes both directions, but only for the weekend. And after that, we are good for the remainder of the project,” he added.
The engineers and contractor are also looking at creating “merge lanes” further to the east. They would be located roughly in the vicinity of What-a-Burger. Moving the merge area eastward, away from the intersection may improve safety.
De Leon says the engineers are now working on a Traffic Control Plan. However, before they can implement it, the contractors we will need to fabricate traffic signs that guide traffic to the merging lanes.
Regardless of which option the engineers recommend, that odd shaped piece of old pavement will need to shut down from a Friday night to a Sunday afternoon to replace the old concrete with new panels. The wider shot below shows where turning traffic could merge.
Reconstruction of a major thoroughfare is never easy. However, when this is complete, it will provide major improvements to both mobility and safety.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/28/25
3013 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Tornado Report: Storm Tracks and Debris Cleanup Plan
11/28/25 – On Monday, 11/26/25, two tornadoes swept through Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s Precinct 3 in northwest Harris County. Yesterday, the National Weather Service assessed the damage. Even though it was not flood related, many readers live in those areas. Therefore, I am publishing this two part post. The first part covers where the damage occurred. The second covers the County’s cleanup plan.
Where Damage Occurred
Two tornadoes touched down and caused widespread damage. The information below comes from Harris County’s meteorologist, Jeff Lindner.
Tornado 1 (Towne Lake and Riata Ranch):
The first tornado began just south of Tuckerton Rd west of Barker Cypress and tracked northward through the eastern sections of Towne Lake. It then moved alongside Barker Cypress from near Cypress N Houston Rd to just south of US 290. The tornado lifted just before US 290 and no damage was found on the north side of US 290.
This tornado was rated an EF-1 with maximum winds of 105mph along the west side of Barker Cypress where residential houses suffered roof damage. The damage included uplift and loss of portions of roof decking. Much of the track was rated EF-0 with wind speeds of 65-85mph.
Tornado 2 (Klein):
The second tornado began just north of Louetta Rd., east of Cutten Rd. It tracked generally northeastward across Champion Forest Dr and just north of Theiss Elementary School. Then, it crossed Stuebner-Airline Rd near Klein Emergency Services District (ESD) 11, destroying a shed and snapping several large pine trees.
Next, it moved north-northeast impacting the Klein ESD 16 facilities. Finally, it crossed Spring Cypress impacting portions of the Klein ISD bus and maintenance area before dissipating over an open field to the north.
The majority of the track experienced EF-0 and lower end EF-1 damage, but isolated pockets of higher end EF-1 and EF-2 damage were noted between Stuebner Airline to Champions Forest Dr. There, significant portions of roofing material were removed on some residential structures. Portions of outside-facing brick walls also failed.
Additionally, extensive tree damage occurred through much of the path. Several houses suffered significant damage due to tree impacts.
The maximum rating was EF-2 with estimated winds of 115-125mph. Approximately 150 homes sustained damage with at least 12 suffering major damage.
Clean-Up Plan
Commissioner Tom Ramsey’s crews were out yesterday, working diligently to remove roadside storm debris left by the twisters.
Starting Monday, December 1, 2025, Precinct 3 crews will begin picking up debris in neighborhoods impacted by the tornado. Please follow the debris separation guidelines below to ensure safe and efficient pick-up.
📞 Residents should report their debris by calling 713-274-3100 or submitting a report at pct3.com/service-request. Select “Road & Bridge Maintenance” on the drop down menu.
The county and its partners have also set up several debris drop off locations.
Please note that hours have been updated for these temporary debris drop-off locations and that they are specifically for Harris County residents affected by the tornado.
These sites will open December 1-5, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and December 6-7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
See locations below:
📍 Deputy Darren Goforth Park (Dog Park Side): 9402 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, TX 77095
📍 Kissing Tree Park: 5707 Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77379
Additional Recover Partners
Giving Thanks
We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. The tornadoes were relatively weak. No one was killed or seriously injured. And Commissioner Ramsey, his team and community partners are working diligently to clear roads and help clean up the debris.
Please remember this holiday season to help your neighbors anyway you can.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/26/25
3011 Days since Hurricane Harvey