The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended with 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes. The U.S. experienced excessive impacts with three significant hurricane landfalls. Noteworthy storms included Hurricane Beryl in July, which caused substantial fatalities and damage, and Hurricane Helene in September, leading to over 200 deaths and $50 billion in damages. Texas received significant federal support due to storm-related disaster declarations.
The conclusion of the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season highlights an unprecedented level of activity, with the United States experiencing a significantly higher occurrence of major storms. This season yielded 18 named storms, 11 of which reached hurricane status, including five categorized as major hurricanes. Eric Berger, a meteorologist associated with Space City Weather, noted, “We saw very high impacts this year in the United States from hurricanes, and in particular, seeing three hurricane landfalls in the United States in a single year is well above normal.”
Hurricane Beryl struck the Houston area in July, resulting in widespread power outages and over 40 fatalities. Following Beryl, a rare lull in storm activity occurred during August and part of September, which is normally a peak period for hurricanes. However, the situation escalated when Hurricane Helene impacted multiple East Coast states in late September, resulting in more than 200 deaths across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia.
The devastation continued with Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm on October 9. Collectively, these storms claimed at least 250 lives and inflicted approximately $50 billion in damages. In response to the disasters, Texas received approximately $1.6 billion in federal assistance via two Presidential Disaster Declarations for storms that caused severe flooding and damage in May and July.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season typically runs from June 1 to November 30, with the peak activity occurring during late summer and early fall. Each year, meteorologists forecast the number of storms expected based on historical data and climate patterns. This year’s predictions anticipated a high volume but specifically noted the potential for unusual impacts, as demonstrated by the above-normal number of major hurricanes that made landfall in the United States. Storms like Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Helene served as vivid reminders of the destructive power of hurricanes. The severe impacts were felt particularly in Texas, where residents experienced substantial losses, prompting discussions about federal disaster assistance and rebuilding efforts.
In summary, the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season proved to be unusually impactful for the United States, with an increased frequency of major storms leading to widespread devastation and loss of life. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s timely response with disaster declarations highlights the ongoing need for preparedness and resources as communities work to rebuild after such catastrophic events. As climate patterns continue to evolve, vigilance and proactive measures will be essential in mitigating future hurricane-related disasters.
Original Source: www.houstonpublicmedia.org
