Overview
Hurricane Iris refers to two tropical cyclones that occurred in the Atlantic basin and were notable enough to be documented in meteorological records and encyclopedic sources. The name was subsequently retired from the Atlantic naming lists.
Hurricane Iris (1995)
- Season: 1995 Atlantic hurricane season
- Classification: Reached Category 4 on the Saffir‑Simpson hurricane wind scale, with peak sustained winds of approximately 150 mph (240 km/h).
- Track: Originated in the western Caribbean Sea, moved northward, and made landfall near Belize City, Belize, on October 9, 1995.
- Impacts: Caused severe wind damage, widespread flooding, and landslides, particularly in the Cayo District and the town of Dangriga. Reported fatalities ranged from 15 to 16, and estimated damage amounted to roughly US $100 million.
- Aftermath: The storm prompted international humanitarian assistance and highlighted vulnerabilities in Belize’s infrastructure.
Hurricane Iris (2001)
- Season: 2001 Atlantic hurricane season
- Classification: Achieved Category 2 status, with maximum sustained winds of about 100 mph (160 km/h).
- Track: Developed in the western Caribbean, moved northeastward, and made landfall near Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico, on October 4, 2001.
- Impacts: Produced heavy rainfall leading to flash floods and mudslides across southeastern Mexico and portions of Central America. Official death tolls varied, with estimates of 30–40 fatalities. Damage assessments placed total economic losses near US $150 million.
- Aftermath: Relief efforts focused on displaced populations and rebuilding of damaged housing and public facilities.
Retirement of the Name
Following the 2001 season, the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Regional Association IV hurricane committee retired the name “Iris” from the rotating Atlantic naming list due to the significant impacts of the 2001 storm. The name was replaced by “Irene,” which entered the list for the 2005 season.
Naming Context
The name “Iris” was part of the alphabetical naming scheme used for Atlantic tropical cyclones, alternating between male and female names and reusing the list every six years unless a name is retired for being particularly destructive or deadly.
Other Uses
A tropical storm named “Iris” also existed in the Eastern Pacific basin in 2007, but it did not attain hurricane strength and caused no notable impacts. This system is distinct from the Atlantic hurricanes listed above.
