What does it mean when a hurricane name is "retired?"

In the Atlantic Ocean basin, tropical cyclone names are "retired" (that is, not to be used again for a new storm) if it is deemed to be quite noteworthy because of the damage and/or deaths it caused. This is to prevent confusion with a historically well-known cyclone with a current one in the Atlantic basin. 2005's Hurricane Katrina will most likely be retired as it is expected to be the costliest hurricane in the history of the U.S., surpassing 1992's Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. For a full list of retired hurricane storm names, go to: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/B3.html

(Credit: NOAA/Gary Padgett, Jack Beven, and James Lewis Free)

This week's question comes from Rob Gutro. Rob is a meteorologist who works at NASA Goddard in Public Affairs. He did forecasting for the Weather Channel Radio Network, was a technical writer for NOAA, provided broadcasts on NOAA Weather Radio in Baltimore, and was a radio personality for 20 years in various cities.