The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season concluded on Saturday, leaving a trail of devastation and distress across multiple regions. This tumultuous season recorded 11 hurricanes, significantly surpassing the average of seven, and inflicted destruction hundreds of miles from initial landfall sites on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
In an extraordinary display of nature’s force, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was marked by its intensity and unexpected developments. Meteorologists described this season as “crazy busy,” primarily attributed to unusually warm ocean temperatures. These conditions fueled the formation of eight hurricanes making landfall in areas such as the United States, Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada.
The season began with Hurricane Beryl, the season’s earliest and a record-breaking Category 4 hurricane forming in June. It devastated the island of Carriacou in Grenada, and Jamaica suffered significant damage with crops destroyed and two fatalities reported. According to Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at the University of Miami, the severity of Beryl occurring so early in the season was unprecedented, marking it as an unusual event in recorded history.
September brought Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic storm that struck the southeastern U.S. Helene became the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland since Katrina in 2005, resulting in over 200 deaths. Damages in North Carolina alone reached an estimated $48.8 billion, affecting homes, water systems, and agricultural sectors. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were also extensively impacted by this formidable storm.
In October, Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified with winds reaching 180 mph, making it one of the strongest hurricanes by wind speed ever reported in the Gulf of Mexico. Only Hurricane Rita in 2005 surpassed Milton in this regard. The regions affected by Helene and Milton experienced record-breaking rainfall, with Asheville, Tampa, and Orlando recording their wettest period historically during September and October.
November saw Hurricane Rafael with wind speeds peaking at 120 mph, nearly becoming the strongest November hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico’s history, matching Hurricane Kate’s record from 1985. Rafael made landfall in Cuba, further devastating an island already struggling to recover from previous blackouts caused by Hurricane Oscar in October.
Experts emphasized that the rapidly warming oceans due to planet-warming gases such as carbon dioxide and methane from industrial activities contribute to the formation and intensification of these hurricanes. Brian McNoldy noted that while specific weather events cannot be solely attributed to climate change, its influence is undeniable in amplifying the likelihood of these extreme storms.
As the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season ends, the lasting impact serves as a sober reminder of nature’s capability to disrupt, driven by broader environmental changes. Understanding and preparing for such events remains crucial in mitigating future harm.
Source: APNews
