Hurricane season 2006 ends peacefully

December 3rd, 2006

Miami, FL - The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season ended last week without a single hurricane striking the United States.

Last season hurricanes killed more than 1,500 people and left thousands homeless along the Gulf Coast.

"We got a much-welcome break after a lot of the coast had been compromised in the last several years, but this is a one-season type break," said Gerry Bell, lead hurricane forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Last year's hurricane season was the biggest on record, with 28 storms including Katrina and Rita.

Only two storms, Tropical Storms Alberto and Ernesto, actually hit the U.S. mainland in 2006. Both caused minor damage.