Hurricane History Facts

Hurricanes have always fascinated weather enthusiasts. They are a combination of some of the most horrific weather conditions known to man, and they are capable of causing cataclysmic destruction across hundreds of miles. 

We have gathered together in one place some of the most intriguing facts and figures about hurricanes for your inner scholar. In this statistic roundup, you’ll learn:

• The Number of Hurricanes In Each State
• Future Names for Atlantic Hurricanes
• Top 50 Deadliest Hurricanes
• Deadliest Hurricanes of the 20th Century
• Top 20 Most Expensive Hurricanes
• Mainland US Hurricane Strikes
• Worst Years for Hurricanes and Major Hurricanes
• Worst Years for Tropical Storms
• Top 4 Most Destructive Hurricanes

So let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about these awesome weather phenomena!

Interesting Facts About Hurricanes

• Four at Once: Four hurricanes occurred simultaneously on two occasions. The first was on August 22, 1893, and one of these hurricanes eventually killed 1,000-2,000 people in Georgia and South Carolina. The second occurrence was from September 25-27, 1998, when Georges, Ivan, Jeanne, and Karl all existed at hurricane strength. 
• Wind Scale Shortfall: The ever-popular wind scale doesn’t factor in other potentially deadly hazards such as storm surges, rainfall flooding, and tornadoes.
• Naming Issues: Atlantic tropical storms name lists are used in rotation and recycled every six years, meaning the 2021 list will be used again in 2027. The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name for a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. 
• Out of Season: The earliest observed hurricane formation occurred on March 7, 1908, while the latest observed formation was on December 31, 1954.
• One Tumultuous Season: The 2005 season set the record for the most US major hurricane strikes since 1851 and tied the record for the second-most hurricane strikes.
• Costly Catastrophes: Between 1980 and 2021, hurricanes have caused over $1.1 trillion total in damage, with an average cost of $20.5 billion per event.

What Is a Hurricane?

According to the National Ocean Service (NOAA), a hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone that forms over tropical or subtropical waters. A tropical cyclone is a low-pressure weather system that rotates. It has organized thunderstorms with no fronts. When the storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is considered to be a hurricane. For sustained winds of 39-73 mph, they are tropical storms. For maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph, they are called tropical depressions.

What Is a Hurricane Watch?

A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions are possible within a specific area. It is generally issued within 48 hours of the possible hurricane. This is in contrast to a hurricane warning, which is issued when hurricane-force winds are expected in a specific area within 24 hours. 

When Is Hurricane Season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30.

What States Have Had the Most Hurricanes?

What Will Future Hurricanes Be Named?

Names for the Atlantic hurricane seasons 2022-2026 have already been determined, and there are 55 boy names and 53 girl names; 8 are unisex. The most popular letters are:

What Were The Top 50 Deadliest Hurricanes?

Hurricanes are dangerously powerful and can be fatal.. Fortunately, as our ability to predict inclement weather has improved over the years, the number of victims listed in hurricane death statistics has decreased. Following are the top 50 deadliest hurricanes. Please note that many of these storms occurred before hurricanes received official names.

What Were the Deadliest Hurricanes of the 20th Century?

What were the top 20 most expensive hurricanes?

Hurricane damage facts reflect that these are the 20 most expensive hurricanes:

How Many Hurricanes Have Struck Mainland USA?

From 1851-2010, a total of 284 hurricanes struck the mainland USA. They consist of all strength levels from Category 1 to Category 5. The following is a breakdown:

What Were The Worst Years For Hurricanes and Major Hurricanes?

While some hurricane seasons come and go without much disturbance in the Atlantic, other seasons are full of activity. Hurricane history facts indicate that the following are some of the worst years for hurricanes.

What Were The Worst Years For Tropical Storms?

What were the top 4 most destructive hurricanes?

According to hurricane damage statistics, the four most destructive hurricanes were Andrew, Wilma, Ike, and Sandy.

• Hurricane Andrew: Andrew struck August 16 – August 28, 1992, and caused $26.5 billion in damage, or $44.4 billion in 2017 currency.
• Hurricane Wilma: Wilma wreaked havoc October 16 – October 27, 2005, leaving in her wake $29.4 billion in damage.
• Hurricane Ike: Ike struck September 1 – September 15, 2008. Damages from the United States coastal areas alone are estimated at $29.5 billion.
• Hurricane Sandy: Between October 22 – November 2, 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused $75 billion in damage. In the United States, it impacted the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine, as well as 24 states in total.

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