2016 Atlantic hurricane season ends as the deadliest in more than 10 years
The most active Atlantic hurricane season in four years came to an end on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
The season spawned 15 named storms, seven of which were hurricanes. The season was the deadliest since 2005 and the costliest since 2012.
Hurricane Matthew was the strongest storm, reaching Category 5 status in early October. Matthew was the first hurricane to reach Category 5 status since 2007.
The storm lashed Haiti, killing more than 1,500 people. The system then trekked into the southeastern United States, spreading flooding and destructive winds from Florida into the Carolinas.
North Carolina suffered the worst flooding since Floyd in 1999. Dozens were killed in the U.S. Many fatalities were linked to motorists attempting to drive through flooded roadways.
In early September, Hurricane Hermine became the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Wilma in 2005.
The season lived up to early predictions. As the pattern transitioned toward La Niña, the basin was expected to be active.
Hurricane Earl slammed parts of Central America in early August, causing damage to infrastructure in Guatemala and Belize. At least 45 people were killed, mostly due to massive landslides.
Storm surge inundated parts of Belize City. Strong winds ripped roofs off some buildings, uprooted trees and caused widespread power outages.
Tropical Storm Julia formed over land, just outside of Jacksonville, Florida, in mid-September, marking a rare occurrence. Storms do not typically reach a tropical status over land.
The slow-moving storm caused flash flooding and produced 3 to 6 inches of rain across portions of eastern Georgia and South Carolina.
In late November, Hurricane Otto became the southernmost hurricane to make landfall in South America. The system hit Nicaragua with strong winds and intense rainfall. Nearly 10 people were killed.
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