After 2022 devastation: Hurricane names Fiona & Ian retired

Both Fiona and Ian have been retired as hurricane names after causing multiple deaths and extensive damage in the US last year.

The World Meteorological Organisation has announced that the names will no longer be used, joining the 96 previously retired names.

It is common practice to retire the names of hurricanes which resulted in large-scale damages, almost all retired names were withdrawn following events causing billions of dollars in damage and multiple losses of life.

Hurricane Fiona resulted in approximately $3 billion in damages principally across the Caribbean where it impacted Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic among others, and Canada last September.

Final figures suggest the hurricane was responsible for 29 deaths, peaking as a category 4 hurricane and becoming the most intense post-tropical cyclone to ever hit Canada.

In the system’s aftermath Puerto Rico, still recovering from Hurricane Maria, experienced widespread blackouts and severe flooding.

Hurricane Ian formed on September 23rd and would go on to become the deadliest system to hit Florida for over 80 years and the costliest ever.

Before reaching the US, Ian first impacted Cuba before intensifying en-route to Florida. It arrived as a category 4 system with sustained wind speeds of 150 mph leaving a trail of destruction.

At least 150 people were killed by, or as a result of, the system with Florida accounting for the majority of those reported.

Hurricane names are rotated annually and repeat every six years, from 2028 Fiona and Ian will be replaced by Farrah and Idris respectively.

Names are chosen by the World Meteorological Organisation and are used to help deliver information regarding severe events.

This year’s Atlantic hurricane season begins in June and will be kicked off by Hurricane Arlene.