A just released study in the Proceedings of the National Academy Of Sciences shows that hurricanes with feminine names turn out to be deadlier in the United States than their more macho-sounding counterparts. The biggest reason, researchers suggest, is that people underestimate storm severity because of the names themselves.

In fact, scientists say, the two deadliest storms to make landfall in the U.S. since 1979, when male names were introduced, were named Katrina and Sandy.

The study said both men and women rated female storms less scary and they both "are likely to believe that women are milder and less aggressive." Sandy, which rocked the east coast of the US in 2012, was chosen as a female name when chosen by weather authorities..

The hurricane season officially began last Sunday. This year's hurricane names will be Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.

More From News Radio 710 KEEL