The National Hurricane Center is now tracking the newly formed Tropical Storm Fernand in the Atlantic, as well as another system.

Here's how hurricanes get their names, why some are retired, and how naming storms improves communication and public safety.

Erin is the fifth named storm to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season, which started just over two months ago. Last week, Tropical Storm Dexter formed in the western Atlantic but didn't pose a threat to land. In early July, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the Carolina coast, bringing deadly flooding to the region.