Floridians pray that when Idalia hits the Gulf Coast it won’t join the long list of destructive Atlantic Ocean storms whose names started with “I.” Notorious I-storms in recent memory have included HURRICANE ISABEL, HURRICANE IVAN, HURRICANE IVAN, and HURRICANE IDA, according to the Associated Press:
Floridians pray Idalia won’t join long list of destructive storms
Since 1955, 13 Atlantic storm names beginning with “I” have been retired, according to the National Weather Service. That happens when a storm’s death toll or destruction is so severe that using its name again would be insensitive, according to the World Meteorological Organization, which oversees storm naming.
Some letter has to be No. 1, and hurricane season often reaches its peak around the time that the pre-determined alphabetical storm-name list gets to the “I.”
Members of the Tampa, Fla., Parks and Recreation Dept., help residents with sandbags Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. Residents along Florida’s gulf coast are making preparations for the effects of Tropical Storm Idalia. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
After “I” storms, 10 names that begin with “F” have been retired, as have nine storms beginning with “C,” University of Miami hurricane expert Brian McNoldy said.
In addition to the 13 retired “I” names from Atlantic Ocean hurricanes, a handful of Pacific Ocean storms beginning with “I” have been retired since 1982.
FILE – Flooded streets and homes are shown in the Spring Meadow subdivision in LaPlace, La., after Hurricane Ida moved through, Aug. 30, 2021. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples.(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
The U.S. began using female names for storms in 1953 partly to avoid confusion and make warnings more efficient by using easy-to-remember names, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Before then, radio stations used to broadcast warnings with numbers and names that confused people. By the late 1970s, male names were also being used for storms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, according to NOAA.
FILE – A tractor trailor rests on a section of I-10 bridge that crosses Escambia Bay, in Pensacola, Fla., Sept. 16, 2004, that was washed and damaged by Hurricane Ivan. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Notorious I-storms in recent memory have included:
HURRICANE ISABEL
FILE – A barge damages a bridge that divides Lafitte, La., and Jean Lafitte, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Aug. 30, 2021, in Lafitte, La. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
The 2003 storm reached Category 5 strength over the Atlantic. Though it weakened before making landfall on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, its winds caused extensive damage. More than 8 feet (2.4 meters) of seawater flooded rivers across the Chesapeake Bay region, according to accounts from the National Weather Service. The hurricane was blamed for 17 deaths.
HURRICANE IVAN
FILE – Fire destroys homes along the beach on Galveston Island, Texas, as Hurricane Ike approaches, Sept. 12, 2008. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
Ivan tore through Grand Cayman island in 2004, damaging or destroying an estimated 95 percent of the buildings there, the National Weather Service said. Then, it slammed into the United States near Gulf Shores, Alabama, spawning more than 100 tornadoes as it moved inland. More than 92 people were killed.
HURRICANE IKE
FILE – A large tanker rests on wrecked boats, Sept. 16, 2004, at Brown’s Marina in Bayou Chico in Pensacola, Fla. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (Douglas R. Clifford/St. Petersburg Times, File)
Ike “left a long trail of death and destruction” in Haiti, Cuba and the United States in 2008, the weather service said. An estimated 74 people in Haiti were killed by flooding and mudslides, the agency said. Later, it struck the U.S. as a Category 2 hurricane at Galveston Island in Texas.
HURRICANE IDA
FILE – This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Sept. 29, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
FILE – Boats and debris are piled up Sept. 13, 2008, in Galveston, Texas after Hurricane Ike hit the area. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool, File)
FILE – Cyclists ride past debris piled up on the seawall road after Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast, Sept. 14, 2008, in Galveston, Texas. Hurricanes beginning with the letter “I” have been among the most destructive to strike the United States, moreso than any other letter of the alphabet. Idalia is on a path to strike Florida’s Gulf Coast as a major hurricane to join the long list of catastrophic examples. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)
