Hurricanes have been named after saints, girlfriends, years, and even first ladies (one was named "Bess" after President Harry Truman's wife). In 1979, though, the current system was adopted. When a tropical storm reaches wind speed of 39 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center names the storm from one of the six lists below. After each list has been used, the six-year cycle begins again.
Have any of these names been used this year? Do you see your name on one of the lists?
| 1993 Arlene Bret Cindy Dennis Emily Floyd Gert Harvey Irene José Katrina Lenny María Nate Ophelia Philippe Rita Stan Tammy Vince Wilma |
1994 Alberto Beryl Chris Dabby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helène Isaac Joyce Keith Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sandy Tony Valerie William |
1995 Allison Barry Chantal Dean Erin Felix Gabrielle Humberto Iris Jerry Karen Luís Marilyn Noël Opal Pablo Roxanne Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy |
1996 Arthur Bertha César Dolly Edouard Fran Gustav Hortense Isidore Josephine Kyle Lili Marco Nana Omar Paloma René Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred |
1997 Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fabian Grace Henri Isabel Juan Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda |
1998 Alex Bonnie Charley Danielle Earl Frances Georges Hermine Ivan Jeanne Karl Lisa Mitch Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tomás Virginie Walter |
Once a hurricane has caused great damage, its name is retired
from the six-year cycle. The following names have been retired.
| Alicia, 1983 Allen, 1980 Andrew, 1992 Bob, 1991 |
Camille, 1969 David, 1979 Elena, 1985 Fredrick, 1979 |
Gilbert, 1988 Gloria, 1985 Hugo, 1989 Joan, 1988 |
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