The 1981 Atlantic hurricane season featured direct or indirect impacts from nearly all of its 12 tropical or subtropical storms. Overall, the season was fairly active, with 22 tropical depressions, 12 of which became a namable storm, while 7 of those reached hurricane status and 3 intensified into major hurricanes. The season officially began on June 1, 1981, and lasted until November 30, 1981. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, tropical cyclogenesis can occur before these dates, as demonstrated with the development of two tropical depressions in April and Tropical Storm Arlene in May. At least one tropical cyclone formed in each month between April and November, with the final system, Subtropical Storm Three, becoming extratropical on November 17, 1981. Although many tropical cyclones impacted land, few caused significant damage. Tropical Depression Eight was the most devastating storm of the season, causing five fatalities and $56.2 million in damage due to flooding over southeast Texas in August. During the same month, Hurricane Dennis produced heavy rainfall across Florida's Miami metropolitan area and in parts of southeastern North Carolina, killing three people and leaving about $28.5 million in damage. Tropical Depression Two, Tropical Storm Bret, and Hurricane Katrina also resulted in fatalities. Collectively, the Atlantic tropical cyclones of this season were responsible for about $88.7 million in damage and 14 deaths. Seasonal summary The 1981 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30. The season was high in activity, with 22 cyclones, 12 of which intensified into tropical or subtropical storms. Of those, seven intensified into a hurricane, while three strengthened into a major hurricane. This activity exceeded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s 1950-2005 average of 11 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes. Although most of the systems made landfall or otherwise impacted land, few caused extensive damage or fatalities. Collectively, the tropical cyclones of the 1981 Atlantic hurricane season caused about $88.7 million in damage and 14 deaths. Tropical cyclogenesis began early, with two tropical depression forming in April, the first of which developing on April 6. Both tropical depressions were operationally unnumbered. Tropical Storm Arlene formed on May 6. The storm made landfall in Cuba two days later, before being absorbed later by a low. Tropical Depression Two moved out of the Gulf of Mexico into eastern