Monday, August 29, 2011

Here comes the story of the Hurricane...

After this weekend's battle with Hurricane Irene, I thought it fitting to look at hurricane naming here on the Atlantic coast.

Before 1953, hurricane's did not get named, but just earned noteriety through destruction and devestation.  Two of the most notable are the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and 1938's "Long Island Express," which many thought Irene would imitate.  The names are lengthy, but informative.  However, in 1953 the World Meterological Organization, who no doubt convenes in a cave in an undisclosed location, decided to begin naming the storms.  The first lists contained only women's names (analyze that!), but to reflect changing ideas about gender, the lists were revamped to include male names in 1979.

Here is a list of the retired storms: (alphabetical)

Agnes  1972; Alicia  1983; Allen  1980; Allison  2001; Andrew  1992; Anita  1977;  Audrey  1957; Betsy  1965; Beulah  1967; Bob  1991; Camille  1969; Carla  1961; Carmen  1974;  Carol  1954; Celia  1970; Cesar  1996; Charley  2004; Cleo  1964; Connie  1955; David  1979; Dean  2007; Dennis  2005; Diana  1990; Diane  1955; Donna  1960; Dora  1964; Edna  1968; Elena  1985; Eloise  1975; Fabian  2003; Felix  2007; Fifi  1974; Flora  1963; Floyd  1999; Fran  1996; Frances  2004; Frederic  1979; Georges  1998; Gilbert  1988; Gloria  1985; Gustav  2008; Hattie  1961; Hazel  1954; Hilda  1964; Hortense  1996; Hugo  1989; Igor  2010; Ike  2008; Inez  1966; Ione  1955; Iris  2001; Isabel  2003; Isidore  2002; Ivan  2004; Janet  1955; Jeanne  2004; Joan  1988; Juan  2003; Katrina  2005; Keith  2000; Klaus  1990; Lenny  1999; Lili  2002; Luis  1995; Marilyn  1995; Michelle  2001; Mitch  1998; Noel  2007; Opal  1995; Paloma  2008; Rita  2005; Roxanne  1995; Stan  2005; Tomas  2010; Wilma  2005.

Trivia Geek has lapsed in the past few years, but I'll try to keep it updated more often.  Comment with questions, and I'll do posts based on the answers!

- TG.

No comments: