Why Are Hurricanes The Only Storms That Get A Name?

In the United States, tropical storms and hurricanes are the only kinds of storms that get a name. Andrew, Katrina, Ivan, Sandy. Other major storms -- tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and blizzards -- aren’t as special. The recent flooding in Louisiana caused damage on the level of a hurricane, but the storm had no name. Maybe it should have: Since 2012, more than 30 weather disasters without names have each caused more than $1 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.