MIAMI (AP) — The names of four deadly hurricanes that slammed parts of the United States, Central America and the Caribbean last year are being retired.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Thursday that hurricane names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate will be replaced with Harold, Idalia, Margot and Nigel. The new names will make their debut during the 2023 hurricane season.
Eighty-six names have been retiredfrom the Atlantic basin list since 1954. The names are retired if the storms were so severe that their future use would be insensitive.
Harvey hit Texas Aug. 25, killing at least 68 people. Irma caused 44 deaths and 85 indirect deaths in the Caribbean and Florida. Maria killed 31 in Dominica and 65 in Puerto Rico. Nate's rainfall inundated Central America and killed 45.
Harvey, Irma, Maria & Nate are retired from the Atlantic tropical storm name list by the World Meteorological Organization Region IV Hurricane Committee, and replaced with Harold, Idalia, Margot, & Nigel. Will first appear on the 2023 list. @NWS@NOAAComms@NHC_Atlantic@NOAApic.twitter.com/0Z2lVU9VzA
— Natl Hurricane Ctr (@NWSNHC) April 12, 2018
