2024 Atlantic hurricane season draws to a close…
2nd December 2024
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, saw above-average activity with significant impacts.
Here are some key highlights:
Tropical Systems: A total of 18 named storms formed, with 11 becoming hurricanes. Five of these reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher), surpassing the historical average of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes
Record-Breaking Storms:
Hurricane Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic, forming in July.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic flooding across the southeastern U.S., with over 150 fatalities, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina in 2005
Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a Category 5 in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the first season since 2019 with multiple Category 5 hurricanes
Economic Impact: The season was one of the costliest on record, with damage estimates exceeding $200 billion. Hurricanes Helene and Milton were particularly devastating, with widespread flooding and infrastructure damage
This season underscores the critical need for ongoing improvements in hurricane preparedness and response, as climate change undoubtedly continues to influence storm patterns and intensity.
The Season had elements of unusual elements, from an earlier and stronger than normal start, to a mid-Season lull and a strong devastating finish.
The only certainty…… is mother-nature’s uncertainty!!
