Finally, I can hand out my 2005 awards

[hurricanefreak1988]

FINAL SCORE



This is why I decided to wait until 2005 ended to hand out my awards for the season. With the way the season went, you almost expected something to pop up late. Sure enough, we're tracking Zeta right now. But anyway, on to the awards...

Most pathetic storm: Tough call. It's between Lee and Gamma. Gamma lasted longer, and had to deal with the unfavorable conditions that come with November, so Gamma being a dud was more understandable. Lee wins the award, which I'm sure he does not appreciate.

Most annoying storm: Ophelia. Goodness. Not only were we clueless as to exactly where she was going, but she also took her sweet little time. That left a lot of us here pretty restless.

Most persistent storm (AKA the Hurricane Kyle Memorial Award): Epsilon, without a doubt. Every time the NHC wanted to write it off, Epsilon refused to die.

Most underrated storm: Rita. You-know-who overshadowed her big time. I'm sure those near the TX/LA border didn't underrate her, though.

And now, the big one, although it's not that much of a surprise...

STORM OF THE YEAR: Katrina. I'm hesitant to call her the greatest storm of all time, but she is certainly very close to the top. It was pretty amazing to watch her churn through the Gulf of Mexico with such high winds. Then, the nervousness and anticipation as she moved closer and closer to New Orleans. An unforgettable storm, no doubt.

It's safe to say that the 2005 season was the greatest of all time. There's no doubt in my mind, and I don't think anybody will argue that. I don't think we'll see a season like this ever again.

Feel free to hand out my awards to different storms if you disagree with my choices, or make your own awards. It'll be interesting to see what you all say.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

Katrina hands down in my opinion the GREATEST STORM IN RECORDED HISTORY. The Jaws of hurricanes if you will.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I think 2006 will do what 2005 did to 2004. 2006 will kick 2005 out like Emily did to Dennis.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

Only way that could happen is if one crushed NYC

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I think a 1926 like storm will happen this year...

[Astro_man92]

I think a 1926 like storm will happen this year...

why not a 2005 like storm ... ahem ... heh

[MGC]

Top Katrina? Easy, a storm of simular intensity hitting Galveston Bay area. Destroying the oil industry. We will all be walking to work.....MGC

[Astro_man92]

Top Katrina? Easy, a storm of simular intensity hitting Galveston Bay area. Destroying the oil industry. We will all be walking to work.....MGC

Yes, but to my knowledge Katrina isn't your everyday hurricane. Storms like her don't happen to often

[HURAKAN]

I think a 1926 like storm will happen this year...

THANK YOU!

[swampdude]

You have pegged Rita correctly! People outside our area and those non-weatherwise people know very little about Rita. We know her all too well.....along with all the insurance and FEMA folks!

[gilbert88]

Katrina the greatest of all time? Sorry, but no. Not even for the US, as the Great Galveston Hurricane was worse.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

The 1900 hurricane happen with no warning. Katrina on the other hand had warning. So Katrina was worst.

[Hybridstorm_November2001]

A storm hitting NYC would be far worse than a storm hitting Galveston. NYC has more population, more infrastructure, higher property values, and of course a key importance in the Economy of not only this country, but the world. The two doomsday scenarios that kept people in the NHC awake at night were NYC and NO, with good reason. One, as we all sadly know, has already come to pass. Let us pray that the absolute worse case doesn't anytime soon.

[Terrell]

I think you got it right with your hurricane awards hurricanefreak1988. Have any more categories?

[Brent]

Top Katrina? Easy, a storm of simular intensity hitting Galveston Bay area. Destroying the oil industry. We will all be walking to work.....MGC

Not only that but it would shut down the transportation system... trucks wouldn't be able to deliver stuff to stores, food wouldn't get delivered to restaurants, it would not be a pretty sight.

[Extremeweatherguy]

A storm hitting NYC would be far worse than a storm hitting Galveston. NYC has more population, more infrastructure, higher property values, and of course a key importance in the Economy of not only this country, but the world. The two doomsday scenarios that kept people in the NHC awake at night were NYC and NO, with good reason. One, as we all sadly know, has already come to pass. Let us pray that the absolute worse case doesn't anytime soon.

the only problem is that a major hurricane is much more likely to hit Galveston than to hit NYC. The chance of a cat. 4 or 5 hitting the big apple is a very very very slight one...but with Galveston it is a russian roulette game every year. A cat. 5 hitting Galveston would completely destroy the city...a cat. 1 or 2 in NYC would lead to a lot of damage, but it would not lead to strong enough winds for any serious damage such as the collapse of skyscrappers or a major storm surge, thus the city would be able to be rebuilt.

[Extremeweatherguy]

Top Katrina? Easy, a storm of simular intensity hitting Galveston Bay area. Destroying the oil industry. We will all be walking to work.....MGC

Yes, but to my knowledge Katrina isn't your everyday hurricane. Storms like her don't happen to often

Well may be...but then again we had 3 category 5 storms in this single season, so obviously it happens more than we think. In fact, both Rita and Wilma were stronger than Katrina was, but none of the three could hold Cat. 5 status at landfall. Both Rita and Katrina were only Cat. 3's at landfall, and Wilma was a 4 on the Yucatan and a 3 in Florida. If these would have hit as 5's, then there would be billions upon billions more in damages and probably 1000+ more people dead. Looking at the trend of the last 2 years...I think a strom like Katrina may be becoming more common.

[hurricanefreak1988]

I think you got it right with your hurricane awards hurricanefreak1988. Have any more categories?

That's for you guys to make. Be creative.

[Astro_man92]

Top Katrina? Easy, a storm of simular intensity hitting Galveston Bay area. Destroying the oil industry. We will all be walking to work.....MGC

Yes, but to my knowledge Katrina isn't your everyday hurricane. Storms like her don't happen to often

Well may be...but then again we had 3 category 5 storms in this single season, so obviously it happens more than we think. In fact, both Rita and Wilma were stronger than Katrina was, but none of the three could hold Cat. 5 status at landfall. Both Rita and Katrina were only Cat. 3's at landfall, and Wilma was a 4 on the Yucatan and a 3 in Florida. If these would have hit as 5's, then there would be billions upon billions more in damages and probably 1000+ more people dead. Looking at the trend of the last 2 years...I think a strom like Katrina may be becoming more common.

But wasn't Katrina Annular??

oh ... and ...

Might Irene or Franklin get an award? I remember them very well for some reason.

[NC George]

Only way that could happen is if one crushed NYC

Or how about downtown Miami, or Tampa/St. Pete.