2004 What-might-have-been Atlantic hurricane season (Cooper - New)

The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active season in recorded history in the north Atlantic. The season was hyperactive, shattering numerous records and causing widespread destruction and casualties across the entire basin. The season officially began on June 1, 2004, and ended on November 30, 2004. However, the season's final system, Tropical Storm Walter, formed in December, after the season's official end.

The strongest storm of the season was Hurricane Ivan, an extremely powerful Cape-Verde type hurricane that had devastating impacts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States. Ivan was the second-most powerful tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Only Hurricane Gilbert of the 1988 season was more intense. Five of the season's seven major hurricanes—Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, and Mitch—were responsible for the majority of the season's damages.