The WMO Hurricane Committee has retired the storm names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John due to their severe impacts in 2024. New names Brianna, Holly, and Miguel will replace the Atlantic names, while Jake will replace John in the eastern Pacific. The committee continues to enhance disaster preparedness and communication to mitigate future storm impacts.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Hurricane Committee has officially retired the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John due to the catastrophic effects these storms inflicted in 2024. The names were removed from their respective Atlantic and eastern Pacific lists following the significant loss of lives and property associated with these hurricanes.
In response to this change, the names Brianna, Holly, and Miguel will replace Beryl, Helene, and Milton in the Atlantic basin. Concurrently, John will be substituted with the name Jake in the eastern Pacific. The retirement of names is a standard procedure for deadly tropical cyclones to acknowledge their impacts and facilitate public safety communications concerning future storms.
Hurricane Beryl, noted as the earliest recorded Category-5 hurricane in the Atlantic, significantly harmed the Caribbean region. Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated parts of the United States, while Hurricane John led to fatal flooding in Guerrero, Mexico. Through their associated naming practice, the WMO seeks to ensure effective communication of storm risks and risks to life.
The Hurricane Committee is comprised of experts from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The naming system, although prominent in the media, represents just a fraction of the committee’s vital work in public safety and disaster preparedness.
Michael Brennan, Chair of the Hurricane Committee, emphasized the importance of their efforts in readiness for the upcoming 2025 hurricane season. Celeste Saulo, the WMO Secretary-General, highlighted the committee’s role in preventing loss of life and minimizing economic damages since its inception in 1978.
Alongside the retirement of hurricane names, the committee has updated the Region IV Hurricane Operational Plan, enhancing the criteria for issuing advisory warnings 72 hours in advance. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season marked the ninth consecutive year of heightened activity, while the eastern Pacific season remained below average.
The Atlantic basin experienced 18 named storms in 2024, including eleven hurricanes and five major hurricanes, per NOAA data. Historical statistics from 1970 to 2021 reveal that tropical cyclones remain a significant cause of human and economic losses, prompting WMO initiatives to prioritize early warnings and disaster risk management.
Hurricane Beryl caused substantial destruction, particularly in Grenada, with severe flooding leading to widespread devastation. Helene and Milton also wreaked havoc, with Helene marking the deadliest hurricane since Katrina in 2005, resulting in over 248 fatalities and extensive damages in both the U.S. and other regions. Hurricane John’s impact in Mexico included extreme rainfall leading to fatalities and considerable property damage.
The WMO, as a UN specialized agency, is dedicated to advancing atmospheric science and meteorology to better forecast weather and mitigate disasters. The organization collaborates internationally to enhance public safety through improved scientific knowledge.
For further inquiries, please contact Clare Nullis, a media officer at WMO, via email at [email protected] or by phone at +41 79 709 13 97. Additionally, media inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
The retirement of hurricane names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John reflects the severity and impact of these storms in 2024. The implementation of their replacement names ensures continuity in communication regarding storm risks. The ongoing work of the WMO Hurricane Committee is critical in enhancing preparedness and reducing fatalities during future hurricane seasons. The updates to operational protocols are also indicative of a growing commitment to effective disaster management.
Original Source: wmo.int
