2024 Hurricane season ends, deadliest since 2005

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher), marking the ninth consecutive above-average season for the region.

The year’s storms were fueled by the ongoing climate crisis, which continues to break records and lead to more extreme weather events, including rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, and flooding. One of the most notable events was Hurricane Beryl, which made history as the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Striking in July, Beryl caused widespread devastation across the Caribbean. However, despite its severity, the impact on human life was significantly reduced due to advancements in early warning systems.

Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), highlighted that while the hurricane caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, fewer lives were lost compared to previous storms. This reduction in fatalities was attributed to the improvements in early warning systems, which allowed for better preparedness and response to the storm’s threat.