Hurricane season nearing its end after record damage by Tomasz Schafernaker
As the 2008 Atlantic Hurricane season comes to a close, officials at the National Hurricane Centre in Miami report that there has above average storm activity. A total of 16 storms, including 8 hurricanes have formed since the season began on June 1st, with forecasters expecting a few more to form before the season officially ends on November 30th.
Two of the most intense and devastating hurricanes were Gustav and Ike which lashed parts of the US and the Caribbean with winds of up to 109mph (178kph). Ike struck the Texas coast in September, while Gustav; the second major hurricane of the season brought heavy rain across the Caribbean.
In a typical season, an average of 11 tropical storms form, five of which strengthen into hurricanes. Due to the intensity of the storms this year, with five intense hurricanes developing, there has been record damage across the US amounting to around 20 billion dollars.
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