2009’s Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season quietest in over a decade

November 20 marks the official end of the 2009 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season.  Before the season, long-range forecasters expected near to below-average hurricane activity in the Atlantic Basin – and they were exactly right!  2009 featured nine named storms, including three hurricanes – the quietest season in 12 years.  Bill and Fred were the only so-called “major” hurricanes (Category 3 strength or higher). 

Eastern North Carolina season highlights include:

- Hurricane Bill generated some big waves and rip currents for our beaches on / around August 22, but thankfully, the center of the beastly Category 4 storm stayed far to the east of the Outer Banks.
- Tropical Storm Danny generated some extra waves, swell, and rip currents for our beaches on / around August 28.
- Tropical Storm Ida made landfall in Alabama, but its remnants morphed into a fierce Carolina Nor’easter on / around November 12.  The storm system smacked our region with 3 – 9” of rain, tropical storm force winds, and severe erosion on the Outer Banks.

The United States fared very well in the 2009 Hurricane Season, too.  Only two tropical storms and zero hurricanes made landfall in the U. S. this year: Claudette in Florida and Ida in Alabama.