BROOKHAVEN — The National Hurricane Center reports the 2024 Hurricane Season officially ended on Nov. 30. Although it is possible for tropical storms to form outside of the hurricane season, it is unlikely. 

NHC reports in the 2024 season there were 18 named storms with wind speeds of 39 mph or greater. Of the 18 storms, 11 were hurricanes and five of those intensified to major hurricanes with wind speeds around 111 mph. 

Storm activity this season fell within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predictions of an above average season. On average, there are 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. 

“As hurricanes and tropical cyclones continue to unleash deadly and destructive forces, it’s clear that NOAA’s critical science and services are needed more than ever by communities, decision makers and emergency planners,” NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said. “I could not be more proud of the contributions of our scientists, forecasters, surveyors, hurricane hunter pilots and their crews for the vital role they play in helping to safeguard lives and property.”

Hurricane Hunter aircrews flew 392 missions to collect atmospheric data critical in hurricane forecasting and research. These aircrews flew through the eyes of Hurricanes 80 times and deployed 1,246 scientific instruments according to the NOAA. 

Record setting storms

NOAA reports Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Atlantic basin Category-5 hurricane on record. It caused significant storm surge flooding across parts of Texas and Louisiana after making landfall near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category-1 storm. 

Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category-4 storm on the Florida Gulf Coast on September 26. The storm 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 western Florida. 

NOAA reports preliminary data indicate that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 direct fatalities, the majority of which occurred in North Carolina and South Carolina. Hurricane Helene marked the first time ever that the National Hurricane Center forecasted a system to become a major hurricane before it became a tropical depression or tropical storm. NWS was forecasting extreme rainfall totals and rates over western North Carolina more than 48 hours in advance.

Hurricane Milton made landfall as a Category-3 near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9 and resulted in a tornado outbreak that produced 46 tornadoes and caused torrential rainfall and localized flooding with total rainfall amounts of 10-15 inches (and higher). 

Milton produced a destructive storm surge between Siesta Key, Florida, and Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, including Charlotte Harbor. Milton’s rate of rapid intensification was among the highest ever observed, with a 90-mile-per-hour increase in wind speed during the 24-hour period from early October 6 to early October 7.