The 1999 Atlantic Hurricane Season was 26 years ago. This season was above average with 12 named storms, 8 becoming hurricanes, and 5 becoming major hurricanes categories 3, 4 and 5. At that time an average season had 10/11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.

The 1999 season was above average due to a continuing La Nina. This was the same La Nina that developed in Spring 1998 and lasted until March 20001. Also 1999 was part of the second active phase in the Atlantic that started in 1995 and continues to this day. This season featured a lot of long tracked hurricanes similar to the previous year.

Here is a list of all the named storms from the 1999 Atlantic Hurricane season *Beside a hurricane's name means the hurricane was a major hurricane.

Tropical Storm Arlene (6/11-6/18) pressure 1006 millibars 60 mph max winds. Arlene developed in the Central Atlantic and stayed out to sea causing no problems.

*Hurricane Bret (8/18-8/25) pressure 944 millibars max winds 145 mph category 4 hurricane. Bret developed in the Gulf of Mexico and slowly moved Northwestward. Bret peaked as a category 4 hurricane. However, dry air weakened Bret to a 115 mph category 3 hurricane at landfall in Texas. Thankfully, Bret made landfall in a rural area causing 7 deaths and $60 million in damages.

*Hurricane Cindy (8/19-8/31) pressure 942 millibars max winds 140 mph category 4 hurricane. Cindy developed in the far Atlantic became a category 4 hurricane and stayed out to sea.

Hurricane Dennis (8/24-9/7) pressure 962 millibars max winds 105 mph category 2 hurricane. Dennis developed around the Gulf Stream and peaked as a category 2 hurricane. Drier air and wind shear weakened Dennis to a strong tropical storm at its landfall in North Carolina. However, Dennis caused severe flooding. Overall Dennis caused 6 deaths and $157 million in damages.

Tropical Storm Emily (8/24-8/28) pressure 1004 millibars max winds 50 mph. Emily developed in the far Atlantic and stayed out to sea.

*Hurricane Floyd (9/7-9/18) pressure 921 millibars max winds 155 mph category 4 hurricane. Floyd developed in the far Atlantic and steadily intensified into a major hurricane. Floyd made landfall in the Bahamas near peak strength and North Carolina as a category 2 hurricane. Floyd also caused severe flooding inland. Overall, Floyd caused 85 deaths and $6.5 Billion in damages.

*Hurricane Gert (9/11-9/23) pressure 930 millibars max winds 150 mph category 4 hurricane. Gert was a long lived major hurricane that developed in the far Atlantic and stayed out to sea. However, Gert did cause 2 drownings due to rip currents.

Tropical Storm Harvey (9/19-9/22) pressure 994 millibars max winds 60 mph. Harvey developed in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Florida. Harvey caused $23 million in damages.

Hurricane Irene (10/12-10/19) pressure 958 millibars max winds 110 mph category 2 hurricane. Irene developed in the Caribbean made landfall in Cuba as a minor tropical storm, South Florida as a high end category 1 hurricane. Irene would peak as a category 2 hurricane off the North Carolina coastline before going out to sea. Overall, Irene caused 16 deaths and $850 million in damages.

Hurricane Jose (10/17-10/25) pressure 979 millibars max winds 100 mph category 2 hurricane. Jose developed just to the east of the Antilles. Jose made landfall in Anguilla as a category 2 hurricane causing 3 deaths and $5 million in damages.

Tropical Storm Katrina (10/28-11/1) pressure 999 millibars max winds 40 mph. Katrina formed near the Nicaragua coastline in the Caribbean which is also were the storm made landfall. Katrina caused $100,000 in damages.

*Hurricane Lenny (11/13-11/21) pressure 933 millibars max winds 155 mph category 4 hurricane. Lenny developed in the Caribbean and moved eastward peaking as a category 4 hurricane. Lenny would make landfall in the Antilles as a category 4 and 3 hurricane before heading out to sea. Lenny claimed 17 lives and caused $850 million in damages.

The 1999 season featured a lot of long lived hurricanes as the season's Total Accumulated Cyclonic Energy was over 176. Also, all the major hurricanes were category 4 hurricanes at some point which was historic at that time. The season finished with 12 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 5 becoming major hurricanes.

While most of the storms in the 1999 season impacted land Floyd and Lenny were the most destructive hurricanes. Floyd and Lenny would have their names retired the following year. Overall, the 1999 season 136 deaths and $8.45 Billion. The 1999 season continued a trend of destructive hurricanes.

While this season has since been passed by other destructive hurricanes 26 years ago this season was historic due to the long lived hurricanes, all major hurricanes becoming category 4, and the impacts of Floyd and Lenny. Also the season started off slow but this season is now infamous for activity in the later months of the hurricane season.