**Retired Hurricane Names: Helene, Milton & Beryl Gone Forever** The World Meteorological Organization has officially retired **Hurricane Helene,

# Hurricane Names Helene, Milton, and Beryl Retired: A Look at the Impact

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has officially **retired** the hurricane names **Helene, Milton, and Beryl** after the devastating impacts of storms bearing these names in recent years. This decision, announced on April 3, 2025, reflects the lasting damage and historical significance of these storms, ensuring their names won't be reused in future hurricane seasons.

## Why Are Hurricane Names Retired?

Hurricane names are retired when a storm is so **catastrophic** or deadly that reusing the same name would be **insensitive** or confusing for future reference. The WMO follows strict guidelines to determine which names should be permanently removed from the rotating lists.

### **The Retired Storms: A Recap**

1. **Hurricane Helene (2024)**
- Caused widespread flooding and landslides in the Caribbean.
- Resulted in **over 100 fatalities** and billions in damages.
- One of the most destructive storms of the 2024 season.

2. **Hurricane Milton (2024)**
- Made landfall as a **Category 4 hurricane** in Florida.
- Triggered a **massive evacuation** effort but still caused significant destruction.
- Responsible for **record-breaking storm surges** along the Gulf Coast.

3. **Hurricane Beryl (2023)**
- The earliest-forming **Category 5 hurricane** in recorded history.
- Devastated several Caribbean islands, leaving thousands homeless.
- Prompted major humanitarian relief efforts.

## How Are Replacement Names Chosen?

The WMO replaces retired names with new ones that follow the same alphabetical sequence. The new names for the 2025 list include:

- **Humberto** (replacing Helene)
- **Maeve** (replacing Milton)
- **Bryan** (replacing Beryl)

These names will be cycled every **six years**, unless another storm forces their retirement.

## The Future of Hurricane Naming

With climate change increasing the **frequency and intensity** of hurricanes, more names may be retired in the coming years. The WMO continues to assess naming conventions, including discussions on whether to **expand the list** or adjust naming protocols.

### **Did You Know?**
- The **most retired name** in Atlantic hurricane history is **"Katrina"** (2005).
- The **first name ever retired** was **"Carol"** (1954).

## What Do You Think?

- **Should hurricane names be retired based on economic damage or just fatalities?**
- **Is the current alphabetical naming system outdated? Should we switch to a different method?**
- **Could retiring names actually make people forget the lessons learned from past storms?**
- **Should hurricanes be named after influential figures instead of using generic names?**

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

*(Source: Breaking Now News - BNN)*