The World Meteorological Organization has retired four storms from the 2024 Hurricane Season

Written by Meteorologist Mary Wasson

Last updated 4/11/2025, 5:47:54 PM

During the 2024 Hurricane Season, four storms were so destructive that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Hurricane Committee has retired their names. They are Beryl, Helene, and Milton from the Atlantic basin name list and John from the eastern Pacific basin name list. 

Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Atlantic basin Category-5 hurricane on record. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused catastrophic damage in the United States while Hurricane John triggered deadly and extended flooding in the Mexican state of Guerrero.

According to the WMO, the names Brianna, Holly, and Miguel were selected as replacements in the Atlantic basin and Jake in the eastern Pacific. 

The naming of tropical cyclones help communicate storm warnings and help alert people about potentially life-threatening risks. The names are repeated every six years, unless a storm is so deadly that its name is retired.

HURRICANE BERYL

Hurricane Beryl formed on June 28 and by July 1, Beryl made landfall in Grenada, as a high-end Category 4 hurricane. The torrential rains, huge waves, and powerful winds caused severe flooding and widespread devastation. Significant damage was sustained on Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with upward of 98% of homes damaged or destroyed. 

Beryl intensified further as it entered the Caribbean Sea, peaking as a Category 5 hurricane early on July 2nd, with maximum Beryl sustained winds of 165 mph and a pressure of 932 millibar before gradually weakening over the next few days. It briefly re-intensified into a Category 3 hurricane before weakening to a Category 1 hurricane as it made landfall in Tulum, Mexico, on July 5. Once it moved over the Yucatan Peninsula, it weakened into a tropical storm and then moved into the Gulf of America re-emerging as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, just before making its final landfall near Matagorda, Texas. Beryl continued to weaken over land as it accelerated to the northeast, eventually becoming post-tropical over the state of Arkansas on July 9 and dissipating over Canada on July 11.

Beryl caused catastrophic damage in Grenada and Venezuela, resulting in 6 deaths with 1 person reported missing. While damage in the Yucatán was limited to trees, power poles, roofs, and some flooding, it still had a significant impact. In the United States, Texas experienced severe flooding and wind damage, which led to 42 deaths in the Houston area. Additionally, tornadoes were confirmed in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, and Ontario. Overall, Beryl resulted in 73 fatalities and caused over $8 billion in damages.

HURRICANE HELENE

Hurricane Helene was the 8th named storm, 5th hurricane, and 2nd major hurricane of the season. It made landfall on September 26 as a Category-4 storm on the Florida Gulf Coast, with winds up to 140 mph. 

Helene weakened as it moved inland before finally dissipating three days later in Tennessee on September 29. During those three days, Helene caused catastrophic flooding across the southern Appalachians, widespread wind damage from the Gulf Coast to the North Carolina mountains, and storm surge flooding along portions of the west coast of Florida. 

According to the WMO, Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 248 fatalities, the majority of which occurred in North Carolina and South Carolina. Damage was estimated at $78.7 billion making it the 7th costliest U.S. hurricane. 

HURRICANE MILTON

Just weeks after Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category-3 hurricane near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9. Top winds reached 180 mph.

Milton was extremely powerful and destructive, becoming the most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded over the Gulf. At peak intensity, Milton had a pressure of 895 millibars, making it the 4th most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, tying the pressure record of Hurricane Rita in 2005.  

15 people died with an estimated $34 billion in damages. The storm produced a historic and deadly tornado outbreak across Florida. 

HURRICANE JOHN

Hurricane John was a Category 3 hurricane with winds reaching up to 120 mph. It made landfall in Guerrero, Mexico, on September 24 and later made a second landfall as a tropical storm in Michoacán, Mexico. The storm dissipated on September 27.

Hurricane John was a significant rain producer, leading to extensive flooding in southern Mexico. At the Acapulco airport, a staggering 57 inches of rain were recorded. Tragically, 29 people lost their lives, and 150,000 homes were damaged. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), it was the third most expensive hurricane to strike the Pacific coast of Mexico, causing nearly $2.5 billion in damage, surpassed only by Hurricane Otis in 2023 and Hurricane Manuel in 2013.