Suffolk News-Herald

Hurricane Isabel was one of the state’s costliest disasters, causing widespread devastation and disrupting the lives of thousands of Virginians.

Yet, this storm was only a Category 1 hurricane when it reached Virginia.

Everyone needs to be prepared for the possibility that a hurricane stronger than Isabel will make landfall in the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management, in cooperation with the National Weather Service and local emergency management officials recently released the names of hurricanes predicted to strike the Atlantic coast during the 2004 hurricane season.

Names of hurricanes are selected by the World Meteorological Organization’s Hurricane Committee, which has representatives from all the countries that are affected by hurricanes.

If a storm has had extraordinary impact, its name is retired.

For instance, the names Hugo, David, Gloria, Bob, and Andrew have been retired.

A storm is named when its winds travel counterclockwise and reach 39 mph, tropical storm strength.

For more information, visit NOAA’s hurricane naming page.

2004 Hurricane Names

Alex, Bonnie, Charley, Danielle, Earl, Frances, Gaston, Hermine, Ivan, Jeanne, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie.