WMO Retires Hurricane Names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John for 2024

The WMO Hurricane Committee has retired the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John due to the severe impacts of the storms in 2024. New names Brianna, Holly, Miguel, and Jake will replace them. The committee emphasizes the importance of timely storm communication to mitigate risks and reduce fatalities, with increased efforts in disaster management and operational plans for better forecasting in future hurricane seasons.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Hurricane Committee has officially retired the names Beryl, Helene, and Milton from the Atlantic basin and John from the eastern Pacific basin due to significant death and destruction caused by these storms in 2024. These decisions were made to honor the memory of the lives lost and the extensive damages incurred.

In replacement of the retired names, Brianna, Holly, and Miguel will be introduced into the Atlantic name list, while Jake will take John’s place in the eastern Pacific. This naming system serves public safety by facilitating effective storm communication and issuing timely warnings to mitigate risks associated with tropical cyclones.

Hurricane Beryl, notable for being the earliest Atlantic Category-5 hurricane on record, severely impacted areas in the Caribbean, including Grenada. Meanwhile, Helene and Milton caused massive devastation across multiple states in the United States. Hurricane John resulted in deadly flooding in Guerrero, Mexico, exacerbating the need for effective storm name management.

The WMO employs this naming convention to assist in storm warnings, repeating names every six years unless retired due to catastrophic events. The Hurricane Committee comprises experts from various National Meteorological and Hydrological Services, focusing on effective collaboration to prepare for future hurricane seasons.

Michael Brennan, the Chair of the Hurricane Committee, emphasized, “The work of the Hurricane Committee is critical to ensuring that everyone in the region across the Atlantic and east Pacific basins is ready for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season.” Additionally, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo highlighted the significant impacts of hurricanes, particularly on vulnerable economies.

The committee also updated the Region IV Hurricane Operational Plan to improve advisories for Potential Tropical Cyclones, enhancing lead times for forecasts and potentially reducing risks further. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season recorded above-average activity, featuring 18 named storms, while the eastern Pacific experienced below-average activity.

From 1970 to 2021, tropical cyclones have been a leading cause of human and economic losses, with over 2,000 reported disasters. The WMO’s commitment to early warnings and disaster management has markedly decreased fatalities, although economic damages continue to rise, positioning tropical cyclones as a critical focus of the initiative “Early Warnings for All.”

In detail, Hurricane Beryl’s landfall as a Category 4 storm caused severe devastation on Grenada, leading to 34 fatalities mainly due to timely forecasts and disaster management. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene resulted in 248 deaths and $78.7 billion in damages, marking it as one of the nation’s deadliest hurricanes. Hurricane Milton’s rapid intensification resulted in 15 deaths and significant economic impact across Florida.

Lastly, Hurricane John triggered extreme flooding and caused 29 fatalities in Guerrero, Mexico, with extensive damage to home infrastructures and vital services. The WMO, as an integral part of the United Nations, is dedicated to bolstering international cooperation in meteorological science and enhancing overall public safety through improved weather and climate management.

In summary, the retirement of the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John reflects the devastating impacts these storms had in 2024. The introduction of new names aims to maintain a clear communication system regarding tropical cyclones, ultimately enhancing the safety and preparedness of affected regions. The proactive measures taken by the WMO highlight the importance of collaboration and effective management in reducing fatalities and economic loss from future storms.

Original Source: wmo.int