Caribbean: The Atlantic hurricane season of 2022 has officially come to a close in the Caribbean region, and with it comes a sigh of relief from many who endured the long and tumultuous season. This year saw an especially active hurricane season, with 20 named storms, 12 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes.
The season began in early June with the formation of Tropical Storm Ana and concluded in late November with the formation of Tropical Storm Sebastien. In between, three major hurricanes wreaked havoc in the Caribbean region, with Hurricane Laura being the strongest of them all, making landfall as a Category 4 storm in Haiti with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph.
The Caribbean region experienced the brunt of the hurricane season, with an estimated $1.3 billion in damages caused by Laura alone. The hardest hit countries were Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. In Haiti, the storm left more than a million people homeless and caused extensive damage to the already fragile infrastructure.
The 2020 season also saw an increase in the number of storms that formed off the coast of Africa, with seven storms forming in the so-called Cape Verde region. This is an area that usually does not see many storms, and is especially vulnerable to storms that develop in the central Atlantic.
The end of the Atlantic hurricane season brings with it a sense of relief for many in the Caribbean region. The hurricane season of 2022 was an especially difficult one, with numerous storms causing significant damage in the region. Now that the season is over, the region can begin to rebuild and prepare for future storms. After a tumultuous year of devastating storms, residents of the region are grateful to have made it through relatively unscathed.
It is important to remember that the storm season is not over yet. The Pacific hurricane season is still underway, and there is always the possibility of storms affecting the region. It is important to remain vigilant and prepared for any storms that may form in the coming months.
The end of the Atlantic hurricane season marks a new beginning for the Caribbean region. With the destructive storms of the season now behind them, the region can begin to rebuild and prepare for the future. As the region looks ahead to a new year, let us all hope for a calmer and less destructive hurricane season in the coming years.
