Why there never again will be a murmur of Irma
Storm season is upon us and Hurricane Irma is barrelling its way over the Caribbean. So far the ravages of the storm have brought about “near apocalyptic” scenes with millions affected, homes bulldozed, and people killed – and still she rolls on.
Scant solace, I realise, but it may be some cheer for those poor souls caught in her wake that when she is finally departed they will at least in all likelihood never hear her name spoken on the weather bulletins again.
The World Meteorological Organisation, which has responsibility for naming tropical cyclones, will often retire names for good if they have proven particularly destructive.
Earlier this year it was announced 2016’s infamous Matthew and Otto had been permanently removed from the Atlantic list (which otherwise is repeated every six years).
Expect Harvey and Irma (one of the most powerful storms ever recorded with persistent wind speeds of 185mph) to become the 83rd and 84th names to be permanently removed.
So farewell Irma, you will not be missed. Indeed if similar storms continue to batter the Caribbean with such devastating intensity one wonders what names will eventually be left?
In Britain, the Met Office has also just released its list of storm names for the 2017-2018 season.
I count among them an ex-girlfriend (Rebecca) a favourite song writer (Dylan) and a couple of former editors of suitably tempestuous character who shall remain nameless.
As with previous years the names have been selected by public poll with Q,U, X, Y and Z absent to comply with international storm naming conventions.
To coincide with the release of the names some stormy weather is also coming our way. But of course, nothing like on a Caribbean scale.