Hurricane experts have been predicting a busier season than we've been used to recently, with 14 to 19 named storms.
Now that Hurricane Jose is looming in the Atlantic Ocean, and Hurricane Katia is swirling in the Gulf of Mexico, there have been 11 named storms so far, and Tropical Depression 14 shows signs of becoming a tropic storm, possibly another named hurricane in the second half of September.
Hurricane Harvey hit sections of Texas causing massive flooding, then Hurricane Irma cut a swath of destruction across the Caribbean before heading to the U.S. mainland. According to catastrophe modeling firm AIR Worldwide, the estimate of combined insured losses from Irma will be between $20 billion and $40 billion. For selected Caribbean islands, the estimates of insured losses vary from $5 billion to $15 billion. The complicating factor in estimating losses is that, as with many natural disasters, the extent of damage won't be known for days, weeks or even months.
Damage to many of the islands was nothing short of catastrophic. For many islands, the entire infrastructure has been destroyed, while other islands had minor damage, if any.
Here is a look at the havoc wrought by Irma to the Caribbean, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico:
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
A man walks past debris caused by Hurricane Irma in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photo: Associated Press/Ricardo Arduengo)
Streets are littered with debris and wreckage after Hurricane Irma's arrival. (Photo: Associated Press/Ricardo Arduengo)
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The U.S. & British Virgin Islands
This combination of natural-color images provided by NASA Earth Observatory shows the U.S. and British Virgin Islands islands on Aug. 25, 2017, top, before the the passage of Hurricane Irma, and after the storm passed, on Sept. 10, 2017. The islands, from left, are St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. (Photo: Associated Press via NASA Earth Observatory)
Splintered lumber, corrugated metal and broken concrete are spewed throughout the British overseas territory of Anguilla. (Photo: Associated Press/Garson Kelsick)
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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Aerial view shows flooded areas throughout local villages on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. (Photo: Associated Press via Ministry of Defence Crown)
Britain sent a navy ship and almost 500 troops to the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos islands. (Photo: Associated Press via Ministry of Defence Crown)
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Cuba
A mechanical shovel removes debris from a street after the passing of Hurricane Irma in Havana, Cuba. (Photo: Associated Press/Desmond Boylan)
People look to salvage any belongings in the remnants of their homes. (Photo: Associated Press/Ramon Espinosa)
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Saint Martin / Saint Maarten
Hurricane Irma inflicted heavy damage to the French-Dutch island of St. Martin. (Photo: Associated Press/Christophe Ena)
U.S. citizens are evacuated aboard an aircraft by U.S. Air Force personnel after the passage of Hurricane Irma. (Photo: Associated Press/Carlos Giusti)
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Haiti
Residents wade through flood waters in Fort-Liberte, Haiti. (Photo: Associated Press/Dieu Nalio Chery)
A woman salvages items from her home after heavy rains flooded her home. (Photo: Associated Press/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Dominican Republic
A home lies flattened by Hurricane Irma in Nagua, Dominican Republic. (Photo: Associated Press/Tatiana Fernandez)
A man begins the task of rebuilding his home after Hurricane Irma left thousands homeless. (Photo: Associated Press/Tatiana Fernandez)
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Puerto Rico
Rescue staff from the Municipal Emergency Management Agency investigate an empty flooded car. (Photo: Associated Press/Carlos Giusti)
More than 1 million people in Puerto Rico are without power after Hurricane Irma swept through the Caribbean. (Photo: Associated Press/Carlos Giusti)
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Antigua
A man looks at the damage to his property after Hurricane Irma lashed throughout the Caribbean with winds as high as 185 mph. (Photo: Associated Press/Johnny Jno-Baptiste)
People recover broken parts of the dock following Hurricane Irma's destructive path. (Photo: Associated Press/Johnny Jno-Baptiste)
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