When the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended last Sunday, it became the ninth in the last decade to be classified either as above normal or extremely active, according to the Department of Disaster Management.
Three 2025 hurricanes — Erin, Humberto and Melissa — reached Category 5 strength, meaning they had sustained winds of 157 miles per hour or greater, according to DDM Director Jasen Penn.
A fourth hurricane, Gabrielle, was a Category 4, and the fifth, Imelda, reached Category 2 strength.
“This is only the second year on record with more than two Category 5 hurricanes,” Mr. Penn said.
In recorded history, he added, only about three percent of Atlantic storms have strengthened to Category 5.
Though researchers have found that the total average number of hurricanes has stayed steady, a greater percentage of them are reaching the very destructive Category 4 or 5 level, Mr. Penn said.
“This underscores the importance of preparedness for all of us,” he added.
13 named storms
All told, the 2025 season brought 13 named storms, including five hurricanes.
An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher, DDM said.
Accumulated cyclone energy, a measure of a storm’s potential to bring storm surge and wind damage, reached 133 — above the average 123, according to DDM.
Most damaging
In the Virgin Islands, Hurricane Erin caused the greatest impact this season, passing close enough to drop more than nine inches of rain on Road Town and cause flooding and mudslides.
Regionally, however, Hurricane Melissa caused the most damage by far, including 106 deaths in Jamaica and Haiti, according to DDM.
One of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, Melissa is estimated to have caused more than $10 billion in damage to the region, DDM said.
Though the June 1-Nov. 30 hurricane season is now over, storms can form outside that period, and the DDM urged residents to stay prepared throughout the year.
Go to bviddm.com for preparedness resources, such as a family emergency plan template, a list of emergency shelters, and a checklist of items to include in home emergency kit.
British Caribbean News
