The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially retired four hurricane names from the 2024 season Beryl, Helene, Milton, and John after these powerful storms caused major destruction and loss of life across the Americas.
These names will never be used again due to the severe damage they brought to countries like the U.S., Mexico, and Caribbean nations. In their place, new names have been chosen: Brianna, Holly, and Miguel for the Atlantic region, and Jake for the eastern Pacific.
Hurricane names are retired when a storm is so deadly or expensive that using the same name again in the future would be disrespectful to victims or confusing to the public. This is part of a global effort to improve public safety and disaster communication.
Michael Brennan, Chair of the WMO Hurricane Committee, said, “We’ve saved many lives through teamwork, but it only takes one storm to erase years of progress.”
What Made 2024’s Hurricanes So Devastating
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was the ninth year in a row with above-normal storm activity. There were 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes. Meanwhile, the eastern Pacific had fewer storms but still saw major damage.
Beryl became the earliest Category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic. It hit Grenada hard on July 1, damaging nearly all homes on Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It then swept through Jamaica, Mexico, and even reached the U.S., killing 34 people in total.
Helene hit the U.S. on September 26 as a strong Category 4 hurricane. It caused deadly flooding and storm surges in North and South Carolina, killing 248 people. Damage costs reached $78.7 billion, making it the seventh most expensive hurricane in U.S. history.
Milton grew stronger very quickly before hitting Florida on October 9. It peaked as a Category 5 storm over the Gulf and made landfall as a Category 3. The storm killed 15 people and caused $34.3 billion in damages. It also sparked one of Florida’s worst tornado outbreaks.
John slammed into Mexico’s southern coast on September 24, dropping record rainfall in places like Acapulco. It caused floods, destroyed homes, and killed 29 people. It’s now the third costliest Pacific storm to ever hit Mexico.
To better prepare for future storms, the WMO has updated how warnings are given. Now, alerts for possible tropical cyclones can be issued up to 72 hours earlier. This gives people and officials more time to get ready and stay safe.
This update supports the global “Early Warnings For All” campaign, which wants every person on Earth to have early warning access by 2027.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo reminded the world that while wealthy countries like the U.S. suffer major financial losses, it’s smaller island nations and developing countries that face the worst impacts on daily life and survival.
Thanks to global cooperation, fewer lives are being lost in disasters but as climate change increases storm risks, the need for early action, awareness, and strong support systems remains more urgent than ever.
As the 2025 hurricane season approaches, communities across the Americas are urged to stay informed, invest in early warning systems, and build resilience because while storm names may change, the threat remains the same.