The Many Deadly Storms Named Debby, Debbie, and Debra

As Tropical Storm Debby approaches landfall, its name rings familiar. Debby, Debbie, or Debra? The storm, expected to become a hurricane by Sunday night, shares similarities with previous cyclones bearing these names.

Atlantic storm names repeat every six years unless retired due to infamy. The most notable predecessor, Tropical Storm Debby (2012), wreaked havoc on Florida's Big Bend and Panhandle with rainfall, surges, and flooding, causing $250 million in damages, impacting a thousand structures, and killing eight.

Below is a list of all the storms with similar names:

• Debby is the correct name for the current storm ascending Florida's Gulf Coast.
• Debbie and Debra: Storm names from 1955-1972. Debra persisted until 1978.
• In 1979, the World Meteorological Organization opted for diverse names, keeping only Debby.

The Deadly History of Similar Storms:

• 1959, Hurricane Debra: Category 1, $7 million damage, no deaths.
• 1957, Tropical Storm Debbie: Near Fort Walton Beach landfall, minor damage, flooding, and four indirect deaths.
• 1961, Hurricane Debbie: Category 1, curved to Ireland, Norway, and the USSR, causing 78 deaths and $50 million damage.
• 1963, Hurricane Debra: Category 1, dissipated before reaching the US.
• 1965, Tropical Storm Debbie: Dissipated before Louisiana landfall, $25 million in damage.
• 1969, Hurricane Debbie: Peak Category 3, missed Bermuda, skimmed Newfoundland.
• 1978, Tropical Storm Debra: Made landfall in Louisiana, minimal damage.
• 1982, Hurricane Debby: Category 4, never approached the US, minimal damage.
• 1988, Hurricane Debby: Category 1 landfall in Mexico, massive flooding, circa 50,000 homeless, 20 deaths.
• 1994, Tropical Storm Debby: Weak but deadly, causing $194 million damage and nine deaths in the Caribbean.
• 2000, Hurricane Debby: Category 1, $735,000 damage, one indirect death.
• 2006, Tropical Storm Debby: Formed off Africa, quickly weakened.
• 2012, Tropical Storm Debby: Extensive Florida flooding, $250 million in damage, eight deaths.
• 2018, Tropical Storm Debby: Atlantic formation, no land impact.
• 2024, Tropical Storm Debby: The imminent storm.

When Will the Name Return?

Assuming no devastating impact, the name could reappear in 2030.