The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on Nov. 30
and produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became
hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. This level of
activity matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of
active hurricane seasons that began in 1995. Surprisingly, none
of the first eight tropical storms reached hurricane status, a
record since reliable reports started in 1851. Hurricane Irene's
effects in the Caribbean and the United States led to 43 deaths
and accounted for the bulk of this season's damage at $7.3
billion. Irene was the first landfalling hurricane in New Jersey
in 108 years. Hurricane Katia had far-reaching effects causing
severe weather in Northern Ireland and Scotland and power
blackouts as far east as Saint Petersburg in Russia. Tropical
Storm Lee caused major flooding in Pennsylvania, New York and
into the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The strongest
storm of the season was Ophelia, which reached category four
strength in the Atlant