Every 6 years the National Hurricane Center recycles names in alphabetical order for Tropical Storms and Hurricanes. So Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and Edouard – we’ve seen you all before – in 2002. We’ve even seen Fay, Gustav, and Hanna before in 2002. None of those storms were rather significant back then. In fact Gustav was the only Hurricane of the bunch – a Category 2 storm that eventually made landfall way up in the Canadian Maritimes. We’ve probably seen the last of both Fay and Gustav. I’m thinking that both of those names will be retired early next year and replaced with all-new names for the 2014 season. Fay and Hanna were actually born during the Spring of 1997 when Fran and Hortense were retired following the 1996 season. Gustav was used in 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008. In its 5TH incarnation it will probably be retired due to the damage that it caused and its mere notoriety all along the upper Gulf Of Mexico coastline (particularly the New Orleans area).
—> DID YOU KNOW that prior to the 1979 season only female names were given to Tropical Storms and Hurricanes ? Equal Rights !
And then there’s Ike – a name that’s never been used before. That’s because ‘Ike’ replaced ‘Isidore’ following the 2002 season. Isidore was the costliest and 2ND strongest hurricane of the 2002 season. It was retired following the season (along with Lili).
It remains to be seen whether or not Ike will be retired after this season is over. It will be retired if it causes a lot of damage and / or kills a lot of people. We’ll know for sure within the next 7 days.
Prepare for the worst. Hope for the best. Be safe.
CountUp 