Official damage reports from NOAA and insurance industry estimates

2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends with 18 Storms, 11 Hurricanes, $222 Billion in Damages

Nov 30, 2024, 02:32 PM

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has concluded today, marking one of the most active and destructive seasons on record. The hyperactive season saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, including two Category 5 storms. Notably, Hurricane Helene became the second costliest hurricane in history, causing an estimated $120 billion in damages and resulting in over 150 deaths in the United States. Hurricane Milton reached Category 5 status with winds of 180 mph and a pressure of 897 mb. The season's accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) was 161.6, reflecting its intensity. Overall, the season caused over $222 billion in damages, making it the second costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record. The U.S. was hit by five hurricanes, bringing widespread devastation across Florida, the Southeast, and the Gulf Coast, with several hurricanes making landfall in the U.S., Bermuda, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Grenada. Meteorologists noted that the season was unusually active due to warm ocean temperatures.