Insider Blog: Hurricane season recap

This year saw a total of 20 named storms in the Atlantic basin. Of which, 7 became hurricanes and 3 became major hurricanes. The total number of storms is slightly above average, however, the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes exactly matched the 30-year average.

Three Atlantic storms made landfall in the United States. These were Tropical Storm Harold which impacted south Texas, Tropical Storm Ophelia which impacted the Carolinas, and most notably, Hurricane Idalia which heavily impacted the Big Bend region of Florida as a category 3 storm.

The Pacific basin saw a near-normal number of named storms, but an above-average number of hurricanes and major hurricanes. A total of 17 storms formed in the Pacific, with 10 becoming hurricanes and a whopping 8 major hurricanes. This compares to an average of 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. 

Three of these storms were highly notable for their impacts. Of course, Tropical Storm Hilary impacted Southern California as a once-in-a-generation event which heavily affected the Coachella Valley. However, Hurricanes Otis and Dora also deserve a special mention. 

Hurricane Otis rapidly intensified to a category 5 exceptionally fast and before landfall near Acapulco, Mexico. It made history as the first Pacific storm to ever make landfall as a category 5. While not making landfall, Hurricane Dora helped create the conditions that led to the tragic Maui wildfires.

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