WMO Hurricane Committee Retires Names of Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John

The WMO Hurricane Committee has retired the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John due to their destructive impacts in 2024, replacing them with Brianna, Holly, Miguel, and Jake. The committee emphasizes the importance of public safety and improved early warnings to reduce future hurricane impacts.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Hurricane Committee has officially retired the names Beryl, Helene, and Milton from the Atlantic basin list, along with John from the eastern Pacific basin list, due to the catastrophic impacts these storms caused in 2024. In their place, new names have been added: Brianna, Holly, and Miguel for the Atlantic, and Jake for the eastern Pacific. This naming convention serves public safety by facilitating better communication regarding storm warnings.

Hurricane Beryl, which was the earliest recorded Category-5 hurricane in the Atlantic, significantly affected the Caribbean, landing as a Category-4 storm in Grenada on July 1, leading to 34 fatalities across various regions. Hurricanes Helene and Milton inflicted severe damage in the United States, with Helene being a formidable storm that resulted in 248 deaths and approximately $78.7 billion in damages. Milton, a Category-3 hurricane at landfall, recorded 15 fatalities and left notable disruption in its wake.

Hurricane John impacted Mexico as a Category-3 storm, causing severe flooding and 29 deaths in the state of Guerrero, along with extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. Rainfall measurements during this storm exceeded annual averages significantly, leading to disruptions in transport and energy.

The WMO continues its critical role in hurricane management, having recently updated its operational plans to improve early warning systems. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw an active storm pattern with 18 named storms. The committee’s ongoing efforts in disaster risk management and forecasting have played a vital role in saving lives and reducing economic losses linked to tropical cyclones.

The WMO Hurricane Committee’s decision to retire the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John underscores the devastating impacts of these storms. The replacements of these names with Brianna, Holly, Miguel, and Jake, alongside improved operational plans, highlight the ongoing commitment to disaster risk management and public safety. Enhanced early warning systems and international cooperation remain essential to mitigate the consequences of future hurricanes.

Original Source: wmo.int