As we approach the final weeks of hurricane season, which officially ends on Nov. 30, the year has proven to be one of devastating storms.

In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-normal hurricane season for 2024, forecasting between eight and 13 hurricanes, with four to seven expected to be major storms. With 11 hurricanes already recorded, NOAA’s predictions have proven accurate. As of now, we’ve already seen the 17th named storm, Hurricane Rafael.

Typically, an average hurricane season sees around six hurricanes, but this year’s activity has already far surpassed that number, with the potential for even more storms to develop in the final weeks of the season.

Experts have attributed this active hurricane season to several key environmental factors, including less wind, warm ocean temperatures, and La Niña, which cools the surface waters of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. La Niña has also played a role in fueling more frequent and intense storms.

While the loss of life and destruction caused by hurricanes is always tragic, the economic toll of this year’s storms has also been staggering. As of Nov. 1, experts estimate that the total damage from this year’s hurricane season could range between $127 billion and $129 billion, according to USA Today.

However, Hurricane Helene is expected to account for a large portion of these losses. According to AccuWeather, the damage from Hurricane Helene alone could range between $225 billion and $250 billion.

The cost of a hurricane can vary significantly depending on its size, intensity, and the region it affects. On average, a single hurricane causes about $23 billion in damage. However, 2017 remains the costliest year for weather events, with over $300 billion in damages from hurricanes like Harvey, Irma, and Maria.

One of the most notable developments of this hurricane season was the early arrival of Hurricane Beryl, which became the earliest Category 5 storm on record for the Atlantic hurricane season.

Research in the Journal of Scientific Records found that hurricanes in the Atlantic from 2001 to 2020 were twice as likely to rapidly intensify into Category 3 or higher storms within 24 hours, compared to those in earlier decades (1971 to 1990). This change is linked to warmer sea surface temperatures, which provide hurricanes with more energy and fuel their rapid intensification.

In addition to its early intensity, Hurricane Beryl also brought significant economic losses. AccuWeather estimates the economic damage from Beryl at $28 billion to $32 billion.

Have a news tip? Contact Janae Bowens at jnbowens@sbgtv.com or at x.com/JanaeBowens.