Meteorologist Gene McLean Hafele has died; he was 73. Hafele was best known for his role as the Meteorologist-in-Charge of the National Weather Service office in Houston, Texas in 2008-2014.

During Hafele’s tenure at the National Weather Service, Hurricane Ike made landfall at Galveston as a strong Category 2 storm. The landfall of Ike resulted in extensive storm surge flooding, wind damage, and rainfall flooding across all of Harris and surrounding counties. Through Hafele’s and the National Weather Service’s efforts, people were properly warned ahead of the dangerous storm, saving lives in the process. Hafele and the broader team at the Houston office of the National Weather Service were frequently recognized for their track record of reducing fatalities and property damage from weather hazards there.




Hafele was born   on November 29, 1950 in Fort Worth, TX. He attended Elementary, Intermediate and High School in Fort Worth  and graduated from Boswell High School in 1969. After working with his father’s construction business, Hafele went to Texas A&M where he graduated with a meteorology degree in 1974. He would later earn his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Houston in 1990.

After graduating from Texas A&M, Hafele went to work for the National Weather Service, working on assignments that brought him to Fort Worth, Alvin, Galveston, Kansas City, and even NASA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Brian Hafele. He was survived by his sister, Jeanette Alexander and his brothers, Glenn and Harry Hafele. Gene is survived by his wife, Ruth, his children, Sam and Randi, his twelve grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials to either the Friendswood Methodist Church – Weekend Warrior Committee or to the Alzheimer’s Association.