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Hurricanes beginning with the letter 'I' are retired the most. Idalia could be next

Hurricanes beginning with the letter 'I' are retired the most. Idalia could be next
AS WE CONTINUE TO TRACK IDALIA AS IT HEADS CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE STATE. MARK MARQUISE MEHTA HERE WITH US NOW TO TALK ABOUT I NAMED STORMS. THEY’RE ACTUALLY VERY COMMON. WE’VE SEEN MANY OF THEM HIT OUR STATE RECENTLY. CAN WE JUST RETIRE THE EYES? IS THAT A THING? THE MOST RETIRED NAME. RIGHT. AND THAT COINCIDES WITH WHEN WE SEE TYPICAL PEAK OF THE HURRICANE SEASON BEING IN THE MONTHS OF AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. THAT’S WHEN YOU GET TO THOSE EYE NAMED STORMS. AND IT WAS JUST LAST YEAR THAT WE HAD IAN COME THROUGH FORT MYERS BRINGING DEVASTATING DAMAGE THROUGH CENTRAL FLORIDA AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER HURRICANE IRMA BACK IN 2017 AND IVAN BACK IN 2004, ANOTHER EYE NAME STORM THAT YOU MIGHT ALSO REMEMBER IS IDA. THAT STORM DID NOT HIT FLORIDA, BUT IT HIT LOUISIANA GIANNA BACK IN 2021 AS A CATEGORY FOUR. IT BECAME THE SECOND MOST DAMAGING AND MOST INTENSE STORM TO HIT LOUISIANA SINCE HURRICANE KATRINA BACK IN 2005. NOW, THE WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION SAYS THE LETTER WHAT THE MOST RETIRED NAMES IS I A TOTAL OF 14 EYE NAMED STORMS WILL NO LONGER BE USED AGAIN DUE TO SENSITIVITY ISSUES AND THAT INCLUDES IAN, IRMA AND IDA BECAUSE OF THE DESTRUCTION THAT THOSE HURRICANES HAD CAUSED. NOW, ANOTHER INTERESTING FACT ABOUT HURRICANE IDALIA IS ITS LOCATION, AS IT’S EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL OVERNIGHT RIGHT AROUND THAT BIG BEND AREA. AND WE HAVEN’T SEEN A STORM OF THIS MAGNITUDE HIT THE BIG BEND IN ABOUT 70 YEARS. AND, YOU KNOW, IT’S WORTH REPEATING HONESTLY BECAUSE BECAUSE IT’S BEEN SO LONG, THERE IS A MAJOR, MAJOR CONCERN ABOUT PEOPLE JUST BEING COMPLACENT IN THAT AREA AND NOT TAKING THESE EVACUATION SERIOUSLY. ABSOLUTELY. I KNOW WE HAVE 22 COUNTIES THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED TO EVACUATE AND IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE 100 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE YOU’RE LIVING, EVEN JUST TEN MILES AWAY FROM YOUR HOME CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY
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Hurricanes beginning with the letter 'I' are retired the most. Idalia could be next
Storms beginning with the letter "I" are the most common tropical system names to become retired in the Atlantic Ocean, and Idalia, headed toward the Florida coast, has the potential to be next on the list.The United Nations World Meteorological Organization maintains a list of names for each of three oceanic regions and retires names after particularly deadly or destructive storms. Three have been retired in just the past three years."The use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time," according to the National Hurricane Center.The lists are in a six-year rotation, so the 2023 list of possible hurricane names will be recycled again in 2029. In the event that more tropical storms occur in a single season than available names for that year, it is then chosen from an approved alternate list of names. For 25 years, the U.S. only used women’s names to identify storms. Male names were first used in 1978. The practice of using Greek letters as alternate names ended in 2020.Retiring a hurricane nameWhen a tropical storm is extremely deadly or destructive, or “the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity,” the name is retired, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is removed from the list, and another name replaces it.Of the Atlantic retired list of names, those beginning with the letter “I” are the most prominent, with 14 names, which is about 15% of the list.Hurricane Ian is the most recent "I" storm addition to the retired list. The 2022 storm was ranked a Category 4, causing more than 150 deaths.Ian was the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history, causing $115 billion in damage, and third on the all-time list in the U.S., according to a National Hurricane Center report.Hurricane Ida, another tropical storm, joined the "I" retirees in 2021 after claiming 87 lives in the U.S. and 20 in Venezuela, according to the Hurricane Center's cyclone report.Here is a list of the notable "I" hurricanes whose names were retired soon after:Hurricane Ian (2022)Hurricane Ian was a Category 5 hurricane that devastated Florida in September 2022.It caused 150 fatalities and $113 billion in damages, the third-costliest weather disaster on record. In addition to the Florida deaths, Ian also caused five fatalities in Cuba, five in North Carolina and one in Virginia, bringing its total to 161.Hurricane Ida (2021)Hurricane Ida is the second-most damaging and intense hurricane in Louisiana history, behind only Hurricane Katrina in 2005.Ida hit Louisiana on Aug. 24, 2021, as a Category 4 hurricane. The remnants of the storm also brought destruction to the Northeast a few days later.In total, 107 deaths are attributed to Ida: 30 in Louisiana, 29 in New Jersey, 20 in Venezuela, 17 in New York, five in Pennsylvania, two in Mississippi, two in Alabama, one in Maryland and one in Connecticut.Hurricane Igor (2010)Hurricane Igor reached maximum sustained winds of 155 mph in September 2010, producing massive swells that caused four deaths: two in the Caribbean, one on the Canadian island of Newfoundland and one in the U.S.It is the most destructive storm in Newfoundland's history, causing $200 million in damages.Hurricane Ike (2008)Reaching a peak Category 4 intensity, Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc in Cuba, Haiti and Texas in September 2008.Related video above: Fire department struggles to rebuild after IkeIn total, 195 people died due to Ike, including 113 in the United States, seven in Cuba, and two in the Dominican Republic.Damages in the U.S. totaled $30 billion, $7.3 billion in Cuba, $200 million in the Bahamas and $500 million in the Turks and Caicos. In the aftermath, Texas conducted its largest search-and-rescue operation in state history.Hurricane Inez (1966)This powerful Category 5 hurricane brought devastation to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Florida in September and October 1966.Over 1,000 deaths are attributed to Inez, as well as $227 million in damages, or roughly $2 billion in 2023, according to calculations. Additionally, the storm left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.Hurricane Ingrid (2013)Mexico faced an unfortunate situation in September 2013, being hit by two tropical storms within 24 hours – Hurricane Ingrid and Hurricane Manuel.Together, the two storms killed 192 people and caused roughly $5.7 billion in damages, though Ingrid is only directly responsible for 32 deaths and $1.5 billion.Hurricane Ione (1955)Hurricane Ione hit North Carolina in September 1955. Category 4 hurricane caused dangerous flooding and massive damage from its 140 mph winds.In total, Ione caused seven deaths and $88 million in damages, equivalent to $900 million in 2023.Hurricane Iota (2020)Hitting in November 2020, Hurricane Iota caused severe damage in Central America. Peaking as a Category 4 storm, while reaching 155 mph wins, Iota caused 84 total fatalities and $1.4 billion in damages.Video above: Powerful Hurricane Iota roars ashore in NicaraguaHeavy rainfall also played a major factor in its destruction, spurring flash flooding and mudslides. Hurricane Irene (2011)This Category 3 hurricane affected large parts of the Caribbean and the East Coast of the U.S. in August 2011.Video above: Officials learn from IreneMaking landfall multiple times, including Puerto Rico, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, southeastern New Jersey and Brooklyn. In total, 49 deaths are attributed to Irene, along with $14.2 billion in damages. Hurricane Iris (2001)Hurricane Iris was a Category 4 storm that brought destruction to Belize in October 2001. The small but powerful hurricane caused 36 direct fatalities and $250 million in damages, or $430 million in 2023.Hurricane Irma (2017)This Category 5 hurricane reached sustained winds of 180 mph, causing extensive damage in the Caribbean and the United States, particularly Florida.Video above: Hurricane Irma survivorsAt least 134 fatalities – 52 directly and 82 indirectly – are attributed to Irma. Ninety-two of the deaths occurred in the U.S. Also, $77.2 billion in damages were generated. Hurricane Isabel (2003)Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the Outer Banks in North Carolina in September 2003. Topping out as a Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds, Isabel caused extensive damage in Virginia, unleashing overwhelming rainfall in the region, and leading to brutal flooding. Overall, 51 deaths are attributed to Isabel, as well as $3.6 billion in damages, or nearly $6 billion in 2023.Hurricane Isidore (2002)In September 2002, Hurricane Isidore caused widespread damage across Mexico, Cuba and the United States.Peaking as a Category 3 storm, Isidore brought massive flooding to the regions. Overall, Isidore is blamed for 22 deaths and $1.28 billion in damages, or a little over $2 billion in 2023.Hurricane Ivan (2004)Topping out at Category 5 with 165 mph winds, Hurricane Ivan crashed into the Caribbean and the U.S. in September 2004.Video above: Looking back at Hurricane IvanAttributed to causing 124 deaths and $40 billion in damages, Ivan devastated the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Florida and Alabama with its thrashing winds and heavy rainfall.

Storms beginning with the letter "I" are the most common tropical system names to become retired in the Atlantic Ocean, and Idalia, headed toward the Florida coast, has the potential to be next on the list.

The United Nations World Meteorological Organization maintains a list of names for each of three oceanic regions and retires names after particularly deadly or destructive storms. Three have been retired in just the past three years.

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"The use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time," according to the National Hurricane Center.

The lists are in a six-year rotation, so the 2023 list of possible hurricane names will be recycled again in 2029. In the event that more tropical storms occur in a single season than available names for that year, it is then chosen from an approved alternate list of names.

For 25 years, the U.S. only used women’s names to identify storms. Male names were first used in 1978. The practice of using Greek letters as alternate names ended in 2020.

Retiring a hurricane name

When a tropical storm is extremely deadly or destructive, or “the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity,” the name is retired, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is removed from the list, and another name replaces it.

Of the Atlantic retired list of names, those beginning with the letter “I” are the most prominent, with 14 names, which is about 15% of the list.

Hurricane Ian is the most recent "I" storm addition to the retired list. The 2022 storm was ranked a Category 4, causing more than 150 deaths.

Ian was the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history, causing $115 billion in damage, and third on the all-time list in the U.S., according to a National Hurricane Center report.

Hurricane Ida, another tropical storm, joined the "I" retirees in 2021 after claiming 87 lives in the U.S. and 20 in Venezuela, according to the Hurricane Center's cyclone report.

Here is a list of the notable "I" hurricanes whose names were retired soon after:


Hurricane Ian (2022)

Hurricane Ian was a Category 5 hurricane that devastated Florida in September 2022.

It caused 150 fatalities and $113 billion in damages, the third-costliest weather disaster on record. In addition to the Florida deaths, Ian also caused five fatalities in Cuba, five in North Carolina and one in Virginia, bringing its total to 161.


Hurricane Ida (2021)

Hurricane Ida is the second-most damaging and intense hurricane in Louisiana history, behind only Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Ida hit Louisiana on Aug. 24, 2021, as a Category 4 hurricane. The remnants of the storm also brought destruction to the Northeast a few days later.

People react as a sudden rain shower soaks them with water while riding out of a flooded neighborhood in a volunteer high water truck assisting people evacuating from homes after neighborhoods flooded in LaPlace, Louisiana on Aug. 30, 2021, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. - Rescuers on Monday combed through the "catastrophic" damage Hurricane Ida did to Louisiana, a day after the fierce storm killed at least two people, stranded others in rising floodwaters and sheared the roofs off homes. (Photo by Patrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
PATRICK T. FALLON
People react as a sudden rain shower soaks them with water while riding out of a flooded neighborhood in a volunteer high water truck assisting people evacuating from homes after neighborhoods flooded in LaPlace, Louisiana on Aug. 30, 2021, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

In total, 107 deaths are attributed to Ida: 30 in Louisiana, 29 in New Jersey, 20 in Venezuela, 17 in New York, five in Pennsylvania, two in Mississippi, two in Alabama, one in Maryland and one in Connecticut.


Hurricane Igor (2010)

Hurricane Igor reached maximum sustained winds of 155 mph in September 2010, producing massive swells that caused four deaths: two in the Caribbean, one on the Canadian island of Newfoundland and one in the U.S.

ATLANTIC OCEAN - SEPTEMBER 13:  In this handout satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hurricane Igor churns east of the northern Leeward Islands September 13, 2010 in the Atlantic Ocean as seen from space. According to the National Hurricane Center Igor is traveling west near 13 MPH, with maximum sustained winds near 150 MPH and is a category 4 hurricane with additional strengthening is possible over the next few days. It has become the Atlantic season�s most powerful hurricane but forecasters predict it will turn north and bypass the mainland U.S. Just behind Igor is Tropical Storm Julia who is located south-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, with winds near 40 MPH. This system is moving west-northwest near 14 MPH. This system could become a hurricane within the next 12 to 24 hours.  (Photo by NOAA via Getty Images)
Handout
Hurricane Igor churns east of the northern Leeward Islands Sept. 13, 2010, in the Atlantic Ocean as seen from space.

It is the most destructive storm in Newfoundland's history, causing $200 million in damages.


Hurricane Ike (2008)

Reaching a peak Category 4 intensity, Hurricane Ike wreaked havoc in Cuba, Haiti and Texas in September 2008.

Related video above: Fire department struggles to rebuild after Ike

In total, 195 people died due to Ike, including 113 in the United States, seven in Cuba, and two in the Dominican Republic.

GALVESTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 13:  Workers clear debris off of Rt.45 left by Hurricane Ike September 13, 2008 in Galveston Texas. Hurricane Ike made landfall in the middle of the night causing wide spread damage to the Texas coast.  (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Mark Wilson
Workers clear debris off of Rt.45 left by Hurricane Ike on Sept. 13, 2008, in Galveston Texas.

Damages in the U.S. totaled $30 billion, $7.3 billion in Cuba, $200 million in the Bahamas and $500 million in the Turks and Caicos. In the aftermath, Texas conducted its largest search-and-rescue operation in state history.


Hurricane Inez (1966)

This powerful Category 5 hurricane brought devastation to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and Florida in September and October 1966.

1966:  Windswept palm trees on a flooded beach as Hurricane Inez sweeps through Miami with winds of 100 mph. It is the most severe hurricane of the 1966 season.    (Photo by Alan Band/Keystone/Getty Images)
Avalon
In 1966, windswept palm trees on a flooded beach as Hurricane Inez sweeps through Miami with winds of 100 mph.

Over 1,000 deaths are attributed to Inez, as well as $227 million in damages, or roughly $2 billion in 2023, according to calculations. Additionally, the storm left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.


Hurricane Ingrid (2013)

Mexico faced an unfortunate situation in September 2013, being hit by two tropical storms within 24 hours – Hurricane Ingrid and Hurricane Manuel.

TOPSHOT - View of police cars stranded at the airport of Acapulco, flooded by heavy rains that have been hitting the country, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, on September 17, 2013 . Mexican authorities scrambled Tuesday to launch an air lift to evacuate tens of thousands of tourists stranded amid floods in the resort of Acapulco following a pair of deadly storms. At least 48 people were killed and thousands evacuated from towns on the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts over the weekend as Tropical Storm Manuel and downgraded Hurricane Ingrid set off landslides and floods that damaged bridges, roads and homes. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO PARDO (Photo by Pedro PARDO / AFP) (Photo by PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)
AFP
View of police cars stranded at the airport of Acapulco, flooded by heavy rains that have been hitting the country, in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, on Sept. 17, 2013.

Together, the two storms killed 192 people and caused roughly $5.7 billion in damages, though Ingrid is only directly responsible for 32 deaths and $1.5 billion.


Hurricane Ione (1955)

Hurricane Ione hit North Carolina in September 1955. Category 4 hurricane caused dangerous flooding and massive damage from its 140 mph winds.

(Original Caption) Norfolk, Virginia. An intersection in down town Norfolk is flooded September 19th by water, pushed inland by the winds of Hurricane Ione. The most savage hurricane in years hit the North Carolina coast and began its destructive northward path alongside the Atlantic Coast.
Bettmann
From 1955: An intersection in downtown Norfolk is flooded by water, pushed inland by the winds of Hurricane Ione.

In total, Ione caused seven deaths and $88 million in damages, equivalent to $900 million in 2023.


Hurricane Iota (2020)

Hitting in November 2020, Hurricane Iota caused severe damage in Central America. Peaking as a Category 4 storm, while reaching 155 mph wins, Iota caused 84 total fatalities and $1.4 billion in damages.

Video above: Powerful Hurricane Iota roars ashore in Nicaragua

Heavy rainfall also played a major factor in its destruction, spurring flash flooding and mudslides.


Hurricane Irene (2011)

This Category 3 hurricane affected large parts of the Caribbean and the East Coast of the U.S. in August 2011.

Video above: Officials learn from Irene

Making landfall multiple times, including Puerto Rico, the Outer Banks in North Carolina, southeastern New Jersey and Brooklyn. In total, 49 deaths are attributed to Irene, along with $14.2 billion in damages.


Hurricane Iris (2001)

Hurricane Iris was a Category 4 storm that brought destruction to Belize in October 2001.

Residents attempt to salvage the remains of their damaged homes on Oct. 10, 2001, in Big Creek, Belize, after the devastation wrought two days earlier by Hurricane Iris. At least 22 people were killed, 18 of them US nationals, and thousands of houses were destroyed, authorities in Belize and Guatemala said 10 October.  AFP PHOTO/Fernando MORALES (Photo by FERNANDO MORALES / AFP) (Photo by FERNANDO MORALES/AFP via Getty Images)
FERNANDO MORALES
Residents attempt to salvage the remains of their damaged homes on Oct. 10, 2001, in Big Creek, Belize, after the devastation wrought two days earlier by Hurricane Iris.

The small but powerful hurricane caused 36 direct fatalities and $250 million in damages, or $430 million in 2023.


Hurricane Irma (2017)

This Category 5 hurricane reached sustained winds of 180 mph, causing extensive damage in the Caribbean and the United States, particularly Florida.

Video above: Hurricane Irma survivors

At least 134 fatalities – 52 directly and 82 indirectly – are attributed to Irma. Ninety-two of the deaths occurred in the U.S. Also, $77.2 billion in damages were generated.


Hurricane Isabel (2003)

Hurricane Isabel made landfall on the Outer Banks in North Carolina in September 2003. Topping out as a Category 5 storm with 165 mph winds, Isabel caused extensive damage in Virginia, unleashing overwhelming rainfall in the region, and leading to brutal flooding.

In this NASA handout, Hurricane Isabel is seen from the International Space Station (ISS) on Sept. 13, 2003, while orbiting the Earth. According to reports, thousands have been urged to evacuate the North Carolina coast Septmeber 16 as the hurricane advances. The still powerful storm has weakend with winds up to 115 mph, from a winds that had topped 160 mph a few days ago. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images)
NASA
In this NASA handout, Hurricane Isabel is seen from the International Space Station (ISS) on Sept. 13, 2003, while orbiting the Earth.

Overall, 51 deaths are attributed to Isabel, as well as $3.6 billion in damages, or nearly $6 billion in 2023.


Hurricane Isidore (2002)

In September 2002, Hurricane Isidore caused widespread damage across Mexico, Cuba and the United States.

MERIDA, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 24:  A church priest and some architects look over the damage done to Lourdes Church by Hurrican Isidore September 24, 2002 in Merida, The Yucatan state, Mexico. The hurrican that slammed into the Yucatan peninsula September 23, 2002 has been downgaded to a tropical storm, but is gaining strength as it moves into open water.  (Photo by Susana Gonzalez/Getty Images)
Susana Gonzalez
A church priest and some architects look over the damage done to Lourdes Church by Hurricane Isidore on Sept. 24, 2002, in Merida, Mexico.

Peaking as a Category 3 storm, Isidore brought massive flooding to the regions. Overall, Isidore is blamed for 22 deaths and $1.28 billion in damages, or a little over $2 billion in 2023.


Hurricane Ivan (2004)

Topping out at Category 5 with 165 mph winds, Hurricane Ivan crashed into the Caribbean and the U.S. in September 2004.

Video above: Looking back at Hurricane Ivan

Attributed to causing 124 deaths and $40 billion in damages, Ivan devastated the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Florida and Alabama with its thrashing winds and heavy rainfall.