displaced thousands and left scores of people dead or missing. [18][19] Just 40 minutes later, at 06:40 UTC, Iota reached Category 4 intensity. A dog eats from the rubble of houses destroyed by the passage of Hurricane Eta, in Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, on November 15, 2020. After growing to a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Iota weakened to a Category 4 as it made landfall in Nicaragua. Costa Caribe Norte queda aislada por Iota", "Passenger truck crash kills at least 17 in Nicaragua", "Hurricanes Iota and Eta deal Honduras a catastrophic double-blow", "Llueve en todo Honduras por Iota que entrará por oriente del país", "Hurricane Iota blasts Nicaraguan coast, floods parts of Honduras", "Scenes of flooding, devastation lie in wake of monstrous Hurricane Iota", "In pictures: Hurricanes leave Hondurans homeless and destitute", "Bolívar y Cartagena recibirán inversiones por más de $500 mil millones", "Iota's devastation comes into focus in storm-weary Nicaragua", Updated Emergency Appeal: Hurricanes Eta and Iota in Central America, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hurricane_Iota&oldid=1000013290, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 13 January 2021, at 02:27. [63] One person was killed on the island. Numerous power outages were restored in the days following Iota's destruction. Civil Protection officials advised residents of possible flooding along the Matícora reservoir in Mauroa, the Barrancas river, and the Quebrada de Uca river. Iota developed later in the season than any other Category 5 storm on record, beating a November 8, 1932, Cuba hurricane, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. Iota is the 30th named storm of the record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, which has seen more named storms than any other, The Associated Press notes. Hurricane Iota's landfall location is approximately 15 miles south of where Hurricane Eta made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on November 3rd. [72] At least 16 people have died and one other is missing as a result of impacts from Iota in Honduras. Iota came ashore just 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of where Hurricane Eta made landfall Nov. 3, also as a Category 4 storm. [17] They also found intense lightning in Iota's southwest eyewall along with hail, which is extremely rare for a hurricane, given the warm temperatures that are present in those storms. [54] The situation on the island was difficult to ascertain as of November 17, though the island's hospital was assumed destroyed or rendered inoperable. [20] At 15:00 UTC, Iota intensified further to reach its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 917 mb (27.08 inHg). [61] Two shelters were known to have lost their roof before communication was lost. [25], Iota then rapidly weakened as it moved over the mountainous terrain of Central America, falling below major hurricane status at 09:00 UTC on November 17, and below hurricane status at 18:00 UTC. Hurricane and tropical storm warnings are also in effect for surrounding area. Project HOPE has given shipments of Personal protective equipment, 50,000 masks, as well as items for the WASH project. A fast-strengthening Hurricane Iota intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm as it swept over the western Caribbean. [36] On November 17, at least 30 people were buried in a landslide in Macizo de Penas Blancas, and a boy was found buried. Hurricane Iota made landfall in northern Nicaragua Monday night as a Category 4 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surge to the coast. [60] Every home on the island suffered damage, with 80 percent being destroyed. [40] Communication was lost with the island on November 16, lasting for over 20 hours. The National Hurricane Center warned of Iota's "potentially catastrophic" impact on parts of Central America. Rainfall accumulations throughout Central America are expected to be high, with Honduras, northern Nicaragua, Guatemala and southern Belize seeing between 8 and 16 inches and isolated accumulations of 20 to 30 inches possible in northeast Nicaragua and northern Honduras, according to the advisory. The passenger terminal experienced severe damages, and estimated repair times are more than a month. Families will also receive purified water, face masks, blankets, buckets, plastic sheets, eggs and beef (the last two for preferred protein sources). Powerful winds uprooted numerous trees, some of which fell on homes, and several homes lost their roof. "It's the first time that a category 5 Hurricane has reached our territory since records began," Duque said during a national press conference from the Colombian capital of Bogota. Extreme winds and a life-threatening storm surge are expected along portions of the coast of northeastern Nicaragua, where a hurricane warning is in effect. MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Hurricane Iota rapidly strengthened Monday into a Category 5 storm that is likely to bring catastrophic damage to the … [32][33] The rest of the coastline of Honduras, as well as the Bay Islands, were later put under tropical storm warnings on November 16. Central America braced for its second major hurricane in as many weeks as Hurricane Iota, now a record-setting Category 5 storm, roared ashore in Nicaragua Monday night. Dozens of people in the remote Guatemalan village of San Cristobal remain missing after a landslide swept through last week, leaving mud 50 feet deep in some places. Mudslides caused extensive damage and multiple deaths. [48], Heavy rains associated with a tropical wave and Iota caused extensive damage in Colombia. The maximum sustained winds in Iota hit 160 mph at 10 a.m. EST on Monday, according to the National Hurricane Center. [69] A preliminary damage estimate places the damages at 12.3 billion córdobas ($352.5 million USD). 2. [76], Nicaragua's power company, Enatrel, dispatched more than 100 crews to the Caribbean Coast to restore electricity. [35] Duque pledged 150 billion pesos (US$41 million) for infrastructure repair. [55][41] This marked the first time a Category 5 hurricane struck the country directly. [35] The government of Taiwan donated 800 tons of rice to the areas expected to be impacted by the storm. Iota was a Category 5 storm with 160 mph … [5], Together Eta and Iota have killed around 100 Hondurans and local analysts estimate the damage will cost the country more than 10 billion dollars (L244.1 billion). Iota had intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm early in the day, but the U.S. National Hurricane Center said it weakened slightly to Category 4, … News Hurricane Iota reaches Central America as 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm. [13] After struggling somewhat due to wind shear and dry air, Iota began to rapidly intensify over warm waters late on November 14, as convection started to wrap around the storm's center. [5] Total damage estimates for the hurricane are currently at $1.4 billion (2020 USD).[6]. The predicted storm surge along the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras will be accompanied by "large and destructive waves," along with swells that cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," according to the advisory. Extremely heavy rain fell on much of Nicaragua widening flash flooding caused by the hurricane's high storm surge. [79], As of November 25, 2.5 million people had limited or no access to health services due to impacts. Hurricane Iota made landfall as a Category 5 storm in Colombia on Monday, killing one person and damaging at least 98% of the infrastructure in the island of Providencia. Hurricane Iota strengthens to Category 5 as it nears Nicaragua. By November 17, 700 people had relocated from their homes. Iota made landfall in northeastern Nicaragua at 10:40 p.m. Eastern time Monday as a Category 4 storm, with wind speeds up to about 155 miles per hour, according to the hurricane … Central Pacific Hurricane Center 2525 Correa Rd Suite 250 Honolulu, HI 96822 W-HFO.webmaster@noaa.gov Over the next few days, the wave began to become better organized and by November 13, it developed into a tropical depression north of Colombia. Late on November 11, the wave started to become better organized, and by 15:00 UTC on November 13, it had developed into Tropical Depressio… [1][2][3][4] As many as 41 people are currently missing. [77] Nicaragua's army had sent 100 rescuers to a site where a landslide caused damage. At 18:00 UTC on November 8, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began to monitor the Central Caribbean for a tropical wave forecasted to enter the area and potentially become a low-pressure area within a few days. Eta’s torrential rains saturated the soil in the region, leaving it prone to new landslides and floods, and that the storm surge could reach 15 to … Cumulative total across the three states were nearly 297,000 affected people, as well as almost 59,000 homes being damaged. CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the latest. [47] Some flooding occurred in the state of Miranda. [43] Two people died in the San Pedro neighborhood when the motorcycle they were riding was swept into a canal. The storm … The local airport is also unusable because of debris, Duque said. Donations worth hundreds of millions of USD have been given to affected countries. [22] After peaking in intensity, Iota's pressure fluctuated somewhat before it weakened slightly to a high-end Category 4 hurricane at 03:00 UTC on November 17 as the storm began to interact with land. [68] On November 23 a passenger truck plunged off a road in a mountainous area that had been devastated by Iota, an accident which caused the deaths of 17 people and 25 injuries. A fast-strengthening Hurricane Iota intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 5 storm as it swept over the western Caribbean. The storm hovered for days over Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, with heavy rains creating flooding and landslides that wiped entire communities off the map. Iota then rapidly weakened as it moved inland, dissipating on November 18. Damage to homes was reported in El Cayude and El Tranquero. Iota will be the second major hurricane to hit the area in as many weeks. Several families were evacuated from Cimitarra due to rising water along the Carare River. A hurricane warning is in effect for the coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras/Nicaragua border to Sandy Bay Sirpi, and the northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Nicaragua border, according to the hurricane center. [35] An estimated 100,000 people remained isolated across Honduras in the aftermath of Hurricane Eta as Iota made landfall. Hurricane Iota space views show record-breaking Category 5 monster. Iota first impacted the islands of San Andres and Providencia, which have been part of Colombia for centuries, but are geographically closer to Central America than to the Colombian mainland. Hurricane Iota is a dangerous category four storm that is expected to dump heavy rains and bring life-threatening surge to Central America, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Monday. Hurricane "Iota" strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane -- peak winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) -- on November 16, 2020, as it was passing over the Colombian Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, making it the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and the strongest-ever to hit Colombia. Before it weakened, Iota was the first Category 5 storm of this record-breaking hurricane season and is threatening many areas of Central America that are still recovering from the devastating effects of. Iota is expected to be even more devastating than Hurricane Eta, which ravaged Central America less than two weeks ago. Hurricane Iota made landfall at 10:40 p.m. EST in Nicaragua, with maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, about 2 mph shy of Category 5 status. [35], Total damage from the storm is estimated at US$1.4 billion. [54][63] Communications with San Andrés were temporarily lost during the storm and approximately 60 percent of the island lost power. Iota is the strongest Atlantic hurricane of the year and only the second November hurricane to reach category five - the last was in 1932. A total of 497 people were affected in the community. #Iota is now a Category 5 #hurricane with max winds of 160 mph. [67] Torrential rains on already saturated soils led to extensive flooding and landslides. Iota's landfall location was approximately 15 miles (25 km) south of where Hurricane Eta made landfall on November 3. Eta’s torrential rains saturated the soil in the region, leaving it prone to new landslides and floods, and that the storm surge could reach 15 to … News November 17, 2020 Hurricane Iota slams Central America as Category 4 The powerful storm made landfall overnight just 15 miles from where Eta … Hurricane Iota makes landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 4 with 155 mph winds. [26] The roof was torn off of a makeshift hospital that was serving as a replacement to an older hospital, requiring an evacuation of the patients there. Hurricane Iota's landfall location is approximately 15 miles south of where Hurricane Eta made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on November 3rd. An estimated total of 5.2 million people were affected by the storm,[7] while hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. [61] The relative lack of casualties in Providencia is attributed to residents adhering to warnings and seeking refuge in sturdy structures or interior bathrooms. [71] La Ceiba, Honduras reported a wind gust of 58 mph (93 km/h). Tropical cyclone watches and warnings were first issued on November 14 in parts of Colombia, Nicaragua, and Honduras, with the latter two countries still recovering from Eta just two weeks prior. The storm recorded maximum sustained winds near 155 mph upon landfall. Planning for relief efforts soon followed, which include placing tents, opening temporary hospitals, and delivering food and water to those in need. [30], Tropical storm warnings were first issued for the Colombian islands of San Andrés and Providencia around midday on November 14. [7], Spreading of disease, ranging from colds and skin rashes to gastrointestinal problems has become much more common. #Iota is now a Category 5 #hurricane with max winds of 160 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Providencia, while San Andres is under a hurricane watch, the hurricane center said. Iota made landfall in Nicaragua as a "catastrophic" Category 5 hurricane Monday, threatening to deliver more drenching rains and fierce winds to … [66] In Mexico, the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, and Veracruz all experienced effects from Iota's rainfall. Hurricane Iota rapidly strengthened Monday into a Category 5 storm that is likely to bring catastrophic damage to the same part of Central America already battered by a powerful Hurricane … [15][16], By 06:00 UTC on November 16, hurricane hunters discovered that Iota had become a high-end Category 3 major hurricane, marking the first time that two major hurricanes were recorded in November. [10][11][12] Six hours later, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Iota. CNN meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the latest. A landslide killed two people in Wiwilí de Jinotega and another person died in Quilalí. Flooding reached a depth of 6 in (15 cm) at the Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport, preventing usage of the runways. Iota will be the second major hurricane in two weeks to strike C. America. [37][38], Approximately 80,000 people were evacuated from flood-prone areas. Hurricane Iota, the second Category 4 landfall in less than two weeks in Central America, unleashed destructive winds, more inundating rain and storm … CNN's Madeline Holcombe, Gene Norman and Robert Shackelford contributed to this report. Costa Rica and Panama should also see about 4 to 8 inches, with up to 12 inches possible in some areas. [24] As Iota was moving ashore, Puerto Cabezas airport reported sustained winds of 72 knots (85 mph; 135 km/h) with gusts to 98 knots (115 mph; 180 km/h) at 02:53 UTC on November 17. At 18:00 UTC on November 8, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began to monitor the Central Caribbean for a tropical wave forecasted to enter the area and potentially become a low-pressure area within a few days. A Hurricane Hunters mission even reported hail at flight degree within the eyewall Sunday evening, nearly remarkable in hurricane eyewalls. Iota made landfall in Nicaragua late Monday as a powerful and "extremely dangerous" Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it catastrophic winds … [42] City officials converted the Coliseo de Combate into a shelter capable of accommodating 200 people. [50], An estimated 70 percent of Cartagena saw flooding due to the direct effects of Iota,[51] affecting an estimated 155,000 people. Downed trees blocking the road hampered the effort. Hurricane Iota surged to Category 4 strength Monday morning shortly before its expected to bring catastrophic winds to Central America, but could grow even more into a devastating Category 5 storm. [9][10] Late on November 11, the wave started to become better organized, and by 15:00 UTC on November 13, it had developed into Tropical Depression Thirty-One in the southern Caribbean, tying 2005 for the most tropical depressions recorded in one season. 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