The WMO Hurricane Committee has retired the names of Dean, Felix and Noel, which were three of the most devastating storms of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season. Almost 200 people died after Dean and Noel struck the Caribbean and Bahamas; 130 people died in Nicaragua and Honduras with Felix.

The names will be replaced in 2013 with Dorian, Fernand and Nestor.

Since tropical storms were first given names in 1953, 70 have been retired.

This season’s names are: Arthur, Bertha, Christobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.

Source: World Meteorological Organization (WMO)