Hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated Nicaragua (includes video story)

As the most active hurricane season in history fades into memory, it’s worth looking back at the damage a couple of its most powerful storms. Tropical storm Eta made landfall in the Florida Keys on Nov. 8, causing severe flooding in south Florida up the coast to West Palm Beach. Heavy rainfall caused up to 15 to 20 inches of flooding.

In Nicaragua, Eta made landfall as a category 4 hurricane. It tore through Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and Panama. Over 40 inches of rain led to deadly landslides, causing locals to climb onto their roofs for safety.

Only two weeks after Eta, Central America was battered by Iota, the record-breaking 30th storm of the season. Iota made landfall on November 17 as a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 130 mph, causing more than 60,000 to be evacuated in Nicaragua. More than 145 deaths have been confirmed across Central America so far and the toll is expected to rise.

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active in history, producing a total of 31 storms. Of those, 13 became hurricanes — six of those with winds of 111 mph or greater.

 

Maria is an aspiring journalist from Venezuela studying at FIU’s College of Communication. She is passionate about politics and culture and hopes to pursue a career in digital media.