The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1949. However, tropical cyclogenesis did not begin until August 21, over two months after the start of the season. Overall, there were 16 tropical storms, seven of which strengthened into hurricanes. Three of these intensified into major hurricanes, which are Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS). Four hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season, causing 26 deaths and $59.8 million in damage. The last storm of the season, Tropical Storm Sixteen, dissipated on November 5, about 10 days before the official end of the season on November 15.