Tropical Storm Aletta (1982)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Aletta was a weak but destructive tropical storm that killed 308 people while meandering off the coast of Central America
. An area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical depression on May 20, and into a tropical storm around noon on May 21. The cyclone turned northeast, reaching its peak as a strong tropical storm on May 23. Aletta meandered and gradually weakened. Tropical Depression Aletta dissipated on May 29, a modest distance southwest of Acapulco
. Moisture from the tropical system spread over Honduras
and Nicaragua
, causing flooding. Throughout the two countries, 308 people were killed and total damage was at $457 million (1982 USD). In the aftermath of the storm, many programs provided relief to the victims of Aletta.
. On May 20, satellite imagery
showed evidence of a weak atmospheric circulation
. Based on this, the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Moving northwest, the depression became Tropical Storm Aletta 36 hours later over 86 °F (30 °C) sea surface temperatures. The system re-curved towards the northeast due to strong upper-level westerlies
, reaching its peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) on May 23.
Shortly after its peak, Tropical Storm Aletta began to weaken. However, the tropical cyclone
managed to maintain winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) for 30 hours before resuming a weakening trend. While the steering currents weakened on May 25, Aletta slowed and moved in a large clockwise loop until May 28. Shortly thereafter, Tropical Storm Aletta was downgraded into a depression. Tropical Depression Aletta dissipated on May 29 roughly 180 mi (290 km/h) southwest of Acapulco.
of Tropical Storm Aletta produced torrential rains and high winds over Central America
for several days, and precipitation
totals were as high as 23.3 in (591.8 mm) in some areas with a peak of 57.32 in (1,455.9 mm) in Chinandega. A red cross official stated that "Entire families were swept away by [flood waters] and we know nothing about them". Because all sewers in Nicaragua
were damaged, the water was contaminated. Ninety percent of the banana crop and 60 percent of the corn crop was completely destroyed. Throughout the country, 108 people were killed, (10 of which drowned in floodwaters). Roughly 20,000 people were homeless and total damage was estimated at $365 million (1982 USD); damage to highways, factories, and farms exceeded $100 million. In the northern portion of the country, a mudslide buried three small mountain villages, leaving 270 missing and only 29 survivors. About 15,000 sought to two emergency shelter
s. Many bridges were damaged. Since the capital city of Leon
was hardest hit, a disaster area
was declared for the nearby area. Aletta was considered the worst disaster in the country in three years.
Across Honduras
, 200 people were killed and 5,000 people were without food or water in just 13 communities. A total of 80,000 people were homeless which were later housed in schools, churches, and health victims. Total damage was placed at $101 million (1982 USD).
On May 27, the governments of both Honduras and Nicaragua appealed for international aid. Soldiers quickly sent food and medical to at least 50 communities in both countries. A second appeal was made shortly afterwards, which proposed for $5.1 million in medicine and other supplies. The red cross and United Nations
(UN) appealed for $3 million in international relief. The UN granted Nicaragua a month's worth of food supply, but officials feared that this would not be enough. The government of Cuba
announced that they would send 12,000 construction workers as well as 2,000 teachers, doctors, and officials to Nicaragua. Canada
donated $220,000 via the League of Red Cross Societies
. To prevent an epidemic of diseases such as typhoid fever
, the Health Ministry started a program to give out vaccines which costs $5.1 million. The U.S. Embassy in Managua
provided $25,000 in donations. The U.S. Embassy in Honduras attempted to outline a fact-fining mission to assess the damage and provide relief.
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. An area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical depression on May 20, and into a tropical storm around noon on May 21. The cyclone turned northeast, reaching its peak as a strong tropical storm on May 23. Aletta meandered and gradually weakened. Tropical Depression Aletta dissipated on May 29, a modest distance southwest of Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
. Moisture from the tropical system spread over Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, causing flooding. Throughout the two countries, 308 people were killed and total damage was at $457 million (1982 USD). In the aftermath of the storm, many programs provided relief to the victims of Aletta.
Meteorological history
The origins of Aletta are from a tropical disturbance that was first noted on May 18 about 500 mi (800 km) south-southwest of AcapulcoAcapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
. On May 20, satellite imagery
Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...
showed evidence of a weak atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....
. Based on this, the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Moving northwest, the depression became Tropical Storm Aletta 36 hours later over 86 °F (30 °C) sea surface temperatures. The system re-curved towards the northeast due to strong upper-level westerlies
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...
, reaching its peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) on May 23.
Shortly after its peak, Tropical Storm Aletta began to weaken. However, the tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
managed to maintain winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) for 30 hours before resuming a weakening trend. While the steering currents weakened on May 25, Aletta slowed and moved in a large clockwise loop until May 28. Shortly thereafter, Tropical Storm Aletta was downgraded into a depression. Tropical Depression Aletta dissipated on May 29 roughly 180 mi (290 km/h) southwest of Acapulco.
Impact and Aftermath
The outer rainbandsRainband
A rainband is a cloud and precipitation structure associated with an area of rainfall which is significantly elongated. Rainbands can be stratiform or convective, and are generated by differences in temperature. When noted on weather radar imagery, this precipitation elongation is referred to as...
of Tropical Storm Aletta produced torrential rains and high winds over Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
for several days, and precipitation
Precipitation
Precipitation may refer to:* Precipitation , rain, sleet, hail, snow and other forms of water falling from the sky* Precipitation , the condensation of a solid from a solution during a chemical reaction...
totals were as high as 23.3 in (591.8 mm) in some areas with a peak of 57.32 in (1,455.9 mm) in Chinandega. A red cross official stated that "Entire families were swept away by [flood waters] and we know nothing about them". Because all sewers in Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
were damaged, the water was contaminated. Ninety percent of the banana crop and 60 percent of the corn crop was completely destroyed. Throughout the country, 108 people were killed, (10 of which drowned in floodwaters). Roughly 20,000 people were homeless and total damage was estimated at $365 million (1982 USD); damage to highways, factories, and farms exceeded $100 million. In the northern portion of the country, a mudslide buried three small mountain villages, leaving 270 missing and only 29 survivors. About 15,000 sought to two emergency shelter
Shelter
Shelter is a basic architectural structure or building that provides cover. The word may also refer to:-Places:*Port Shelter, Hong Kong*Shelter Bay , various locations*Shelter Cove , various locations...
s. Many bridges were damaged. Since the capital city of Leon
Leon
-Europe:* Kingdom of León, an independent state in the Iberian Peninsula from 910 to 1230 and again from 1296 to 1301* Viscounty of Léon, a feudal state in France during the 11th to 13th centuries* Léon, Landes, a commune in France* Isla de León, a Spanish island...
was hardest hit, a disaster area
Disaster area
A disaster area is a region or a locale heavily damaged by either natural hazards, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, technological hazards including nuclear and radiation accidents, or sociological hazards like riots, terrorism or war. The population living there often...
was declared for the nearby area. Aletta was considered the worst disaster in the country in three years.
Across Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, 200 people were killed and 5,000 people were without food or water in just 13 communities. A total of 80,000 people were homeless which were later housed in schools, churches, and health victims. Total damage was placed at $101 million (1982 USD).
On May 27, the governments of both Honduras and Nicaragua appealed for international aid. Soldiers quickly sent food and medical to at least 50 communities in both countries. A second appeal was made shortly afterwards, which proposed for $5.1 million in medicine and other supplies. The red cross and United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(UN) appealed for $3 million in international relief. The UN granted Nicaragua a month's worth of food supply, but officials feared that this would not be enough. The government of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
announced that they would send 12,000 construction workers as well as 2,000 teachers, doctors, and officials to Nicaragua. Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
donated $220,000 via the League of Red Cross Societies
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 186 distinct National Societies...
. To prevent an epidemic of diseases such as typhoid fever
Typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as Typhoid, is a common worldwide bacterial disease, transmitted by the ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of an infected person, which contain the bacterium Salmonella enterica, serovar Typhi...
, the Health Ministry started a program to give out vaccines which costs $5.1 million. The U.S. Embassy in Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
provided $25,000 in donations. The U.S. Embassy in Honduras attempted to outline a fact-fining mission to assess the damage and provide relief.
See also
- 1982 Pacific hurricane season1982 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 1982 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1982 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1982 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1982. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.The...
- Other tropical cyclones named Aletta