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The 'I' storm: Why tropical systems that start with the letter 'I' tend to be impactful

The 'I' storm: Why tropical systems that start with the letter 'I' tend to be impactful
WATER WAS SO DEEP. JUST LIKE THAT. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY FRIGHTENING. YEAH. IT WAS WORRY ABOUT THESE ICE STORMS AND I ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT SEPTEMBER 10. >> YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN GET THROUGH IS IS THERE A COINCIDENCE HERE? I MEAN, IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, SEPTEMBER'S WHEN WE SEE THE PEAK OF HURRICANE SEASON, THE WATERS OUT THERE IN THE ATLANTIC AND THE GULF VERY, VERY WARM. SO MAKE SENSE WHY THOSE ICE STORMS ALWAYS PACK A PUNCH. I ALSO THE LETTER BEFORE, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE NEXT ON THE LIST IS AN ICE STORM IMELDA AND WE HAVE AN AREA TO WATCH THAT VERY WELL COULD BE EMELDA IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. LIKE I SAID THIS SEASON, WE HAVE MADE IT TO THROUGH 8 NAMED STORMS. SO FAR. MELT IS NEXT ON THE LIST IS IT'S SET TO BE ONE OF THOSE CRAZY EYES. STORMS WILL WEAKEN EVER SAY THAT FOR SURE. UNTIL WE GET A LITTLE BIT MORE CLARITY ON THE FORECAST. BUT WHY ARE THOSE ICE STORMS SO INFAMOUS ALL SAY AT LEAST AT THIS POINT WHY STORMS ARE THE MOST COMMON RETIRED LETTER FROM ALL HURRICANE LISTS. WHAT WE SEE IS ABOUT 14 RETIRED. I NAMED STORMS OUT OF 99 IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN SINCE 1954. INTEREST HERE IN FLORIDA. WE'VE HAD A FEW IMPACTFUL ICE STORMS OBVIOUSLY E AND YOU JUST HEARD ABOUT THAT. BUT A SETBACK IN 2017 RETIRED STORM THAT PACKED A PUNCH HERE AS WELL. THE DALIA WASN'T RETIRED, BUT IT WASN'T I NAMED IN 2023 AND THAT MADE LANDFALL AS A CATEGORY 3 IN FLORIDA'S BIG BEND REGION. DIDN'T GET RETIRED, THOUGH, ICH HONESTLY THAT'S OK, WE DON'T WANT STORMS GET RETIRED BECAUSE THAT MEANS THEY'RE USUALLY IMPACTFUL. AND HOPEFULLY YOU DON'T SEE ANY OF THOSE THIS 2025 SEASON. NOW, DON'T BE AFRAID. THERE ARE STILL SOME ICE STORMS THAT DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY IMPACTS. EVEN LAST YEAR. ISAAC STATE OUT OVER OPEN WATERS, MAYB
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Updated: 6:08 PM CDT Sep 26, 2025
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The 'I' storm: Why tropical systems that start with the letter 'I' tend to be impactful
Gulf Coast News logo
Updated: 6:08 PM CDT Sep 26, 2025
Editorial Standards
Out of the 99 retired Atlantic hurricane season names, 14 of those are "I" storms. Tropical systems that have names that start with the letter "I" get a bad rap, but should they be feared? It's safe to say the Gulf has seen its fair share of impactful "I" storms. As we near the third anniversary of Hurricane Ian, which devastated southwest Florida, it's understandable that there's some anxiety around "I" storms. >> TRACKING THE TROPICS: Latest maps and models for what could become ImeldaOn average, the ninth storm of the season usually falls on Sept. 16. That date falls just after the peak of hurricane season, Sept. 10, and there is usually plenty of fuel for storms to thrive.Ocean water is very warm this time of year, and temperatures off the coast of Fort Myers Beach average 85.4 degrees during the month of September. When you think of impactful "I" storms, hurricanes Ian and Ida come to mind.The full list alphabetically includes:Ian (2022)Hurricane Ida (2021)Hurricane Igor (2010)Hurricane Ike (2008)Hurricane Inez (1966)Hurricane Ingrid (2013)Hurricane Ione (1955)Hurricane Iota (2020)Hurricane Irene (2011)Hurricane Iris (2001)Hurricane Irma (2017)Hurricane Isabel (2003)Hurricane Isidore (2002)Hurricane Ivan (2004). Not every "I" storm is a monster. In 2024, Isaac peaked at Category 2 strength and stayed out at sea. While "I" storms have quite the reputation, nothing is guaranteed, and no storm or season is alike.

Out of the 99 retired Atlantic hurricane season names, 14 of those are "I" storms. Tropical systems that have names that start with the letter "I" get a bad rap, but should they be feared?

It's safe to say the Gulf has seen its fair share of impactful "I" storms. As we near the third anniversary of Hurricane Ian, which devastated southwest Florida, it's understandable that there's some anxiety around "I" storms.

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>> TRACKING THE TROPICS: Latest maps and models for what could become Imelda

On average, the ninth storm of the season usually falls on Sept. 16. That date falls just after the peak of hurricane season, Sept. 10, and there is usually plenty of fuel for storms to thrive.

Ocean water is very warm this time of year, and temperatures off the coast of Fort Myers Beach average 85.4 degrees during the month of September.

the "i" storm
Gulf Coast News
Recently retired "I" storms

When you think of impactful "I" storms, hurricanes Ian and Ida come to mind.

The full list alphabetically includes:

  • Ian (2022)
  • Hurricane Ida (2021)
  • Hurricane Igor (2010)
  • Hurricane Ike (2008)
  • Hurricane Inez (1966)
  • Hurricane Ingrid (2013)
  • Hurricane Ione (1955)
  • Hurricane Iota (2020)
  • Hurricane Irene (2011)
  • Hurricane Iris (2001)
  • Hurricane Irma (2017)
  • Hurricane Isabel (2003)
  • Hurricane Isidore (2002)
  • Hurricane Ivan (2004).

Not every "I" storm is a monster. In 2024, Isaac peaked at Category 2 strength and stayed out at sea.

While "I" storms have quite the reputation, nothing is guaranteed, and no storm or season is alike.

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