Hurricane Eta, a devastating Category 4 hurricane, caused widespread destruction in Central America in early November 2020. As the record-tying twenty-eighth named storm of the hyperactive 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Eta rapidly intensified, reaching a peak intensity of 150 mph before making landfall in Nicaragua. It weakened over land but regenerated over the Caribbean, striking Cuba and making three separate landfalls in Florida. Eta's erratic path and fluctuating intensity brought torrential rainfall, severe flooding, and landslides, resulting in significant damage and loss of life across Central America and parts of the United States.
1932: Historic November Atlantic Hurricanes
The 1932 Cuba hurricane stands out as a particularly intense hurricane in November, with Hurricane Eta's intensity in November 2020 later being surpassed by Hurricane Iota just two weeks later.
1998: Hurricane Mitch's Impact on Mental Health
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) drew parallels between the potential increase in post-traumatic stress disorder after Hurricane Eta to the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
2000: Homes Destroyed in Chiapas Highlands
Over 2000 homes were destroyed in the Chiapas highlands of Mexico due to heavy rains from Hurricane Eta and a cold front.
2005: Previous Record for Earliest 28th Tropical Storm
Before Tropical Storm Eta formed in 2020, the record for the earliest 28th tropical or subtropical storm in an Atlantic hurricane season was December 30, set by Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005.
November 2020: Hurricane Eta devastates Central America
In early November 2020, Hurricane Eta, a powerful Category 4 hurricane, caused widespread destruction in parts of Central America.
December 2020: Estimated Damages from Hurricane Eta
By December 2020, the estimated cost of damages caused by Hurricane Eta, primarily in Central America, was around $8.3 billion USD.
March 2021: Retirement of Hurricane Eta Name
Due to the significant damage and loss of life caused by Hurricane Eta, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) decided to retire the name "Eta" in March 2021, and it will no longer be used for Atlantic tropical cyclones.
June 2021: Partial Recovery in Honduras
As of June 2021, Honduras had made progress in restoring water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and the economy had begun to recover following the devastation caused by Hurricane Eta.