Most deadly 2024 hurricane names retired from use: UN agency

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced Wednesday that the names Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John will be permanently retired from future use in naming tropical storms due to the severe destruction and loss of life they caused. These storms were among the deadliest in recent memory: Beryl, Helene, and Milton in the Atlantic, and John in the eastern Pacific.

To replace them, the WMO has added Brianna, Holly, and Miguel to the Atlantic storm name list, and Jake to the eastern Pacific list. These names, like all on the WMO’s storm rosters, are selected for being short, clear, and easy to pronounce, rotating every six years and alternating between male and female.

Storm names are retired when the hurricanes or cyclones they’re attached to are so devastating that reusing the names in future seasons would be insensitive or confusing. For example, in 2024:

Hurricane Beryl became the earliest-ever Category 5 storm in the Atlantic, severely impacting the Caribbean.

Helene and Milton caused catastrophic destruction in the U.S.

John unleashed deadly flooding across Guerrero, Mexico.

Experts warn that climate change is intensifying these storms. Tropical cyclones, which include hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons, draw energy from warm ocean waters and moisture in the air. As sea surface temperatures rise, so does the intensity and frequency of powerful storms.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season marked the ninth year in a row with above-average activity. There were 18 named storms, of which five became major hurricanes—reaching Category 3 or higher with winds over 178 km/h (111 mph), according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The WMO continues to emphasize that the proportion of severe storms (Categories 4–5) is likely to rise globally with ongoing global warming, making storm preparedness and clear communication more important than ever.