Names that should have been retired

[Jam151]

After looking in-depth at many of the past storms since 1979, I think the following storms should have been retired:


Beryl 1982 (killed 115 people in Cape Verde)

Juan 1985 ($3 billion in adjusted damage, over 20 US deaths) note: it was retired after the 2003 version

Bret 1993 (killed 173 people and demolished over 10,000 homes in Venezuela, worst Venezuela natural disaster since 1967)

Gert 1993 (killed 76 people in its path, left 100,000 people in Central America homeless, damaged or destroyed almost 30,000 homes in Mexico)

Alberto 1994 (deadliest US storm since Agnes in 1972, worst Georgia natural disaster in the century, almost $1 billion damage from inland flooding)

Gordon 1994 (killed over 1,000 people in Haiti, nuff said)


These are certainly up for debate. Others could be argued (Lili 1996, Emily 2005, etc). There are also some retired storms that could have stayed, although I am personally satisfied with all the retired names since 1979. Any thoughts?

[Cyclenall]

The one that really should have been retired a long time ago was Emily.

[Hurricanehink]

1979 - Claudette - $1.19 billion in 2008 USD in damage, not to mention record rainfall
1982 - Alberto - unusual choice, but it caused 23 deaths and the worst flooding in Cuba in over 3 decades, per the Wikipedia page on it
1985 - Kate - $1.4 billion in damage overall, brought more damage to the U.S. after a very busy year
1989 - Allison - Almost $1 billion in damage, brought severe flooding to Texas; name was later retired for another tropical storm of the same name, in the same area, in the same general time of year
1995 - Erin - Just under $1 billion in damage
1998 - Bonnie - $1.3 billion in damage
1999 - Irene - Over $1 billion in damage

[MiamiensisWx]

Hilda (1955) is rarely mentioned, but it definitely deserved retirement. Hilda killed +200-1,000 (?) in Mexico, striking the mainland at Category 3 intensity. It contributed to heavy precipitation, and it affected Mexico shortly prior to Janet. The quadruplets of pre-existing rainfall, Gladys, Hilda, and Janet influenced significant flooding on the Mexican mainland. It remains one of the nation's deadliest natural disasters.

[Cyclone1]

Tropical Storm Isabel 1985.

(Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind yet.)

It cost more than Gloria, I think, due to more than 30 inches of rain in Puerto Rico. It was retired in 2003.

[Hurricanehink]

Tropical Storm Isabel 1985.

(Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind yet.)

It cost more than Gloria, I think, due to more than 30 inches of rain in Puerto Rico. It was retired in 2003.

That one I personally disagree with, since most of its damage occurred before the storm actually formed.

[Cyclone1]

Tropical Storm Isabel 1985.

(Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind yet.)

It cost more than Gloria, I think, due to more than 30 inches of rain in Puerto Rico. It was retired in 2003.

That one I personally disagree with, since most of its damage occurred before the storm actually formed.

Oh well, yeah that's a good point.

How do you feel about Paul 82?

Killed 2000+ as a numbered depression.

[HurricaneRobert]

All of them. The lists are too old and the same names have repeated several times.

[Hurricanehink]

Tropical Storm Isabel 1985.

(Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind yet.)

It cost more than Gloria, I think, due to more than 30 inches of rain in Puerto Rico. It was retired in 2003.

That one I personally disagree with, since most of its damage occurred before the storm actually formed.

Oh well, yeah that's a good point.

How do you feel about Paul 82?

Killed 2000+ as a numbered depression.

Well, that one's tough. If EPAC names were commonly retired, Paul might have had a chance, because it caused heavy damage and 8 deaths in Mexico. Here's my EPAC should-be retired list (1978-present, excluding Paul).

1981 - Lidia and Norma - both caused heavy damage in southern Mexico, the former killing 73 people from a dam collapse. Norma caused heavy damage in Texas
1983 - Tico - heavy damage and many deaths, Cat. 3 landfall
1989 - Cosme - caused 30 deaths
1993 - Calvin - 34 deaths
1997 - Nora - heavy damage in NW Mexico and SW United States
2001 - Juliette - heavy damage in Baja California, 7 deaths
2006 - John and Lane - both caused heavy damage

Some oddball candidates
1989 - Kiko - Cat. 3 landfall on Baja California
1992 - Either Virgil or Winifred
1997 - Olaf
1998 - Isis
1999 - Greg
2001 - Juliette

[Aslkahuna]

For scientific reasons, Lester in 1992 which hit SE AZ with hurricane force gusts and flooding rains should have been retired-after all, how many times do we get a sub 1000 mb Tropical Storm in the SE corner of Arizona which maintains TS intensity after crossing the Sierra Madre?

Steve

[HurricaneBill]

My EPAC list of retirees would be these:

1961: Hurricane Tara (Killed 500 in Mexico)

1971: Hurricane Bridget (Killed 40 in Mexico and sank several ships)

1975: Hurricane Olivia (Category 3 landfall and killed at least 30 in Mexico.)

1976: Hurricane Kathleen (Hit Baja California as a Category 1 and reached southern California as a tropical storm. Some areas of southern California saw sustained TS winds. Produced heavy amounts of rain that flooded many areas. 7 deaths and $160 million in damage.)

1976: Hurricane Liza (Hit Baja California as a Category 4. Caused a dam to collapse, resulting in floodwaters sweeping through La Paz. At least 650 died as a result. Death toll may have been as high as 990.)

1976: Hurricane Madeline (Hit Mexico as a strong Category 4 with sustained winds of 125KT. The second most intense hurricane to hit the Pacific side of Mexico. Only the 1959 hurricane (140KT) was stronger.)

1983: Hurricane Tico (Hit Mexico as a Category 3. Caused 135 deaths and $66 million in damage.)

[StormScanWx]

The one that really should have been retired a long time ago was Emily.

I have to agree completely with this statement. (After 2005, especially!)

What were they thinking not retiring this name?

[masaji79]

Maybe the NHC should consider going to a continuing list like the West Pacific, South Pacific and Australia. Then we wouldn't end up with 5 storms named Ana, Alberto, Bertha, Beryl, Emily etc.