13 • Continued from previous page The naming of storms is an especially important principle of Crisis Management. Storms can last for more than a week and there can be many storms in the same region in the same week. Tropical cyclones around the globe are named by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The names are taken from an agreed list of names. There is a certain cultural awareness and sensitivity attached to the names selected. In the Atlantic and Caribbean region, the names often have English, Spanish or French influence. This means that there are guidelines and rules for names for each tropical region. The names are published in alphabetical order, with women’s and men’s names alternated. The names are created originally by regional meteorological centres (RSMCs) and associated Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs). There are six RSMCs and five TCWCs. The names for the Atlantic and Caribbean region for 2025 have been included in this newsletter. Older readers might recognise that a cyclone’s name is retired and replaced by another name if the cyclone was particularly deadly or costly. There will never be another Hurricane Donna, Andrew, Hugo, David or Irma. The story of how gender balance came into the names is interesting. Prior to 1975, storms and hurricanes were given only women’s names. However, it is reported that in recognition of International Women’s Year, former Australian Minister of Science Bill Morrison decided to start naming storms after both males and females. This was quickly adopted as a standard global practice. (https://www.eliteias.in/how-are-cyclones-named-inthe-world/. In terms of duration, on average, tropical cyclones last for six days – some last as long as 14 days and others only one or two days. In terms of size, tropical cyclones are usually bigger in the Pacific Ocean. Tropical cyclones are a major concern for all areas at risk. This is because our lived experience and the historical record tell us that the effects and devastating impacts of the storms when they make landfall, (even glancing blows) can last for decades. Those events change societies in unimaginable ways. Since the turn of the century, we can remember Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The impact can remain with the affected communities and relevant locations for several generations. • Continues on next page
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