View source for Hurricane Mitch

{{Short description|Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in 1998}}
{{About|the 1998 Atlantic hurricane||Hurricane Mitch (disambiguation)}}<!--The hatnote link is NOT a set index article because it contains an entry that is not about a tropical cyclone.-->
{{pp-semi-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Mitch 1998-10-26 1845Z.png
| caption = Hurricane Mitch at peak intensity while northeast of [[Honduras]] on October 26
| alt = Satellite image of Hurricane Mitch over the Western Caribbean Sea with a large and well defined eye
| formed = October 22, 1998
| extratropical = November 5, 1998
| dissipated = November 9, 1998
}}{{Infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 155
| pressure = 905
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 1998
| fatalities = >11,374 <br/>{{small|([[List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes|Second-deadliest Atlantic hurricane]] on record)}}
| damage = 6080000000
| areas = [[Central America]], [[Yucatán Peninsula]], [[South Florida]], [[Jamaica]], [[British Isles]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[1998 Atlantic hurricane season]]
}}
'''Hurricane Mitch''' was a powerful, extremely deadly and catastrophic [[tropical cyclone]] in 1998 that became the second-deadliest [[Atlantic hurricane]] on record. Mitch caused 11,374 fatalities in [[Central America]], including approximately 7,000 in [[Honduras]] and 3,800 in [[Nicaragua]] due to cataclysmic flooding from the slow motion of the storm. It was the deadliest hurricane in Central American history, surpassing [[Hurricane Fifi–Orlene]], which killed slightly fewer people in the same area in 1974. Mitch was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane in the satellite era, and the second-deadliest on record in the Atlantic, only behind the [[Great Hurricane of 1780]] which killed at least 22,000 people.

The thirteenth [[named storm]], ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the [[1998 Atlantic hurricane season]], Mitch formed in the western [[Caribbean Sea]] on October 22, and after responding to extremely favorable conditions, it rapidly strengthened to peak at Category&nbsp;5 status, the highest possible rating on the [[Saffir–Simpson scale]]. After drifting southwestward and weakening, the hurricane hit [[Honduras]] as a minimal Category 1 hurricane. Mitch roved through Central America, regenerated in the [[Bay of Campeche]], and ultimately impacted Florida as a strong tropical storm. It then became extratropical and accelerated northeastward across the North Atlantic, before dissipating on November 9. At the time, Mitch was the strongest [[Atlantic hurricane]] observed in the month of October, surpassing [[Hurricane Hattie]] of the [[1961 Atlantic hurricane season|1961 season]]. The record would stand for seven years until it would be broken by [[Hurricane Wilma]] of the [[2005 Atlantic hurricane season|2005 season]]. In addition, Mitch is the tenth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, tied with [[Hurricane Dean]] in [[2007 Atlantic hurricane season|2007]] in terms of pressure.

Being "the deadliest Atlantic hurricane" in over 200 years,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/belize/noaa-delivers-life-saving-disaster-preparedness-infrastructure-and-systems-central|last=Viets|first=Patricia|date=17 August 2001|title=NOAA delivers life-saving disaster-preparedness infrastructure and systems to Central America|work=[[ReliefWeb]]|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=10 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710201038/https://reliefweb.int/report/belize/noaa-delivers-life-saving-disaster-preparedness-infrastructure-and-systems-central|url-status=live}}</ref> Mitch caused catastrophic impacts across its path, but the most disastrous impacts came from Honduras, which suffered over half of the total deaths. The president of Honduras, [[Carlos Roberto Flores]], estimated that Mitch set back about 50&nbsp;years of economic development. The storm wrecked about 35,000&nbsp;houses and damaged another 50,000, leaving up to 1.5&nbsp;million people homeless, about 20 percent of the country's population. Mitch directly caused $2.005&nbsp;billion in damage,{{#tag:ref|All damage totals are in 1998&nbsp;United States dollars unless otherwise noted.|group="nb"}} with an additional $1.8&nbsp;billion in indirect costs. Most of the damage were ruined crops, and cash crop exports were cut by 9.4 percent in 1999, largely due to the storm. Over 70 percent of the transportation infrastructure was damaged, mostly damaged highways and bridges. Widespread areas experienced power outages, and about 70 percent of the country lost its water sources after the storm. In [[Tegucigalpa]], a large landslide affected three neighborhoods and formed a temporary dam. Throughout the country, there were at least 7,000&nbsp;fatalities, some reported in each [[Departments of Honduras|department]]. Following the storm, officials in Honduras requested international assistance, which totaled $2.8&nbsp;billion over a several-year period. Despite this, the [[gross domestic product]] began decreasing at the end of 1998, and contracted by 1.9 percent in 1999. Officials enacted a widespread curfew following the storm, and for 15&nbsp;days temporarily restricted constitutional rights to maintain order. There were outbreaks of various diseases, and many residents faced food and water shortages.

Due to the slow motion from October 29 to November 3, Hurricane Mitch dropped historic amounts of rainfall in [[Honduras]], [[Guatemala]], and [[Nicaragua]], with unofficial reports of up to {{convert|75|in|mm|sigfig=2}}. Deaths due to catastrophic flooding made it the second deadliest Atlantic hurricane in history after the [[Great Hurricane of 1780]]; at least 11,374&nbsp;people were confirmed to have been killed with over 11,000 left missing by the end of 1998; the true death toll is unknown. Additionally, roughly 2.7 million were left homeless as a result of the hurricane. Total damages caused by the hurricane were estimated to be around $6&nbsp;billion (1998 USD). The name "Mitch" was retired, and will not be used for another Atlantic tropical cyclone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml|title=Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names|work=[[NOAA]]|access-date=10 July 2019|archive-date=27 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120627193026/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml#greek|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Meteorological history ==
{{main|Meteorological history of Hurricane Mitch}}
{{storm path|Mitch 1998 path.png|colors=new|left}}

Tropical Depression Thirteen formed on October&nbsp;22 over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, from a [[tropical wave]] that exited Africa on October&nbsp;10. It executed a small loop, and while doing so intensified into Tropical Storm Mitch. A weakness in a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] allowed the storm to track slowly to the north. After becoming disorganized due to [[wind shear]] from an [[upper-level low]], Mitch quickly intensified in response to extremely favorable conditions,<ref name="nhc">{{cite report|author=Guiney, John L. |author2=Miles B. Lawrence|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=28 January 1999|title=Hurricane Mitch Preliminary Report|access-date=12 May 2013|url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL131998_Mitch}}|format=PDF}}</ref> including warm waters and good [[outflow (meteorology)|outflow]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Lawrence, Miles |date=24 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 11|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=12 May 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.011|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031063200/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite report|author=Avila, Lixion |date=24 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 12|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=12 May 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.012|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031081233/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.012|url-status=live}}</ref> It became a hurricane on October&nbsp;24 and developed an [[eye (cyclone)|eye]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Rappaport, Ed |date=24 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 10|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=12 May 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.010|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031072530/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.010|url-status=live}}</ref> After turning to the west, Mitch [[rapidly intensified]], first into a [[Tropical cyclone scales#Atlantic, Eastern and Central Pacific|major hurricane]] on October&nbsp;25 and then into a [[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes|Category 5]] on the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]] the next day.<ref name="nhc"/>

{{Most intense Atlantic hurricanes}}
At peak intensity, Mitch maintained [[maximum sustained wind]]s of {{convert|180|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} while off the northern coast of Honduras. [[Hurricane Hunters]] reported a minimum [[barometric pressure]] of {{convert|905|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}, which at the time was the lowest in the month of October and tied for the fourth lowest for any [[Atlantic hurricane]]. Initially, the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) and various [[tropical cyclone forecast model]]s anticipated a turn to the north, threatening the [[Yucatán Peninsula]]. Instead, Mitch turned to the south, due to a ridge that was not observed while the storm was active.<ref name="nhc"/> Land interaction imparted weakening,<ref>{{cite report|author=Rappaport, Ed |date=28 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 29|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=12 May 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.029|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031080459/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.029|url-status=live}}</ref> and the hurricane made [[landfall]] on Honduras on October&nbsp;29 with winds of {{convert|80|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="nhc"/>

While over land, Mitch moved slowly westward through Central America, while continuing to produce deep [[convection (meteorology)|convection]] over waters.<ref>{{cite report|author=Lawrence, Miles |date=30 October 1998|title=Tropical Storm Mitch Discussion Number 36|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=12 May 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.036|archive-date=31 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031082310/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.036|url-status=live}}</ref> The surface circulation dissipated on November&nbsp;1. The next day, the remnants of Mitch reached the [[Bay of Campeche]]. On November&nbsp;3, the remnants redeveloped into a tropical storm just off the coast of the Mexican state of [[Campeche]], and a day later the storm made another landfall just north of the city of [[Campeche, Campeche|Campeche]]. Mitch accelerated to the northeast ahead of a [[cold front]], moving across the Yucatán peninsula and re-entering the Gulf of Mexico. The storm retained winds of {{convert|70|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} before it made a final landfall near [[Naples, Florida]] on November&nbsp;5. Shortly after crossing the state, Mitch transitioned into an [[extratropical cyclone]]. The NHC tracked this storm until November&nbsp;9, when former Hurricane Mitch passed north of [[Scotland]].<ref name="nhc"/>

== Preparations ==
[[File:25 Years Later- Looking Back at the October Monster Named Mitch (NESDIS 2023-10-27 19981028-30HURMitchG08VISclose).gif|thumb|alt=Satellite animation of a large tropical cyclone moving over Central America|Hurricane Mitch moving over [[Central America]] between 28-30 October 1998]]
Various [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings]] were issued due to the hurricane.<ref name="nhc"/> The NHC recommended early on October&nbsp;26 for a [[tropical cyclone warnings and watches|hurricane warning]] to be issued for the northeastern Honduran coast, although difficulties in communications prevented their immediate implementation.<ref>{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|date=October 26, 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 18|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=May 13, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.018}}</ref> Within a few hours, a hurricane warning was in place between [[Limón, Honduras|Limón]] to the Honduras and Nicaragua border, including the offshore [[Swan Islands, Honduras|Swan Island]].<ref>{{cite report|author=Richard Pasch|author2=Max Mayfield|date=October 26, 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Intermediate Advisory Number 18A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=May 13, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/pub/PAAL1398.018}}</ref> When Mitch still failed to turn to the north, the government of Honduras issued a hurricane warning for the remainder of their coastline.<ref>{{cite report|author=Miles Lawrence|date=October 26, 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch Discussion Number 21|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=May 13, 2013|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/dis/NAL1398.021}}</ref> Due to the threat, the government of [[Honduras]] evacuated some of the 45,000 citizens on the [[Bay Islands (department)|Bay Islands]] and prepared all air and naval resources.<ref name="spare"/> On October&nbsp;26, the Honduran Permanent Contingency Commission coordinated with neighboring countries regarding the storm. Officials initially issued a state of emergency for the offshore islands and five coastal departments, which was later extended to the rest of the country. The government increased emergency spending and created a National Emergency Commission. Officials advised residents to evacuate in flood-prone areas, although many people stayed for fear of being looted. Some left to stay with relatives during the hurricane. Prisoners in Tegucigalpa Central Penitentiary were evacuated to the [[Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino|national stadium]].<ref name="un"/> Before the storm struck, Honduras was facing decreased food supplies due to ongoing [[El Niño–Southern Oscillation|El Niño]] conditions. The economy had been growing at a rate similar to the previous year until Mitch struck,<ref name="iadb"/> and was largely dependent on exports. About 73% of the population was living in poverty when the storm struck.<ref name="eclac"/> Hurricane Mitch set back the economies of various countries in the region, including Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador, after they had improved throughout the 1990s.<ref name="un">{{cite report|title=Honduras: Assessment of the Damage Caused by Hurricane Mitch, 1998|author=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|publisher=United Nations|date=April 14, 1999|access-date=May 23, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/6/15506/L367-1-EN.pdf|archive-date=May 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519074125/http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/6/15506/L367-1-EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The government of Belize issued a purple alert and asked for citizens on offshore islands to leave for the mainland.<ref name="spare">{{Cite news|date=27 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch could spare Honduras and slam into Yucatán|agency=Agence France-Presse|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=5 January 2012|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/40596|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111122445/http://reliefweb.int/node/40596|url-status=live}}</ref> Because the hurricane threatened to strike near [[Belize City]] as a Category&nbsp;4 hurricane, much of the city was evacuated in fear of a repeat of [[Hurricane Hattie]] 37&nbsp;years earlier.<ref name="ncdc"/> Guatemala issued a purple alert as well, recommending boats to stay in port, telling people to prepare or seek shelter, and warning of potential overflowing rivers.<ref name="spare"/> By the time hurricane Mitch made landfall, numerous people were evacuated along the western Caribbean coastline, including 100,000 in Honduras, 10,000 in Guatemala, and 20,000 in the Mexican state of [[Quintana Roo]].<ref name="standstill">{{Cite news|author=Ulate, Juan Carlos |date=29 October 1998|title=Hurricane Mitch at standstill, pounding Honduras|agency=Reuters|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=5 January 2012|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/40708|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111121921/http://reliefweb.int/node/40708|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Impact ==
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:right;"
|+ Impact by region
|-
! Region !! Deaths !! class="unsortable"|Ref !! Damages !! class="unsortable"|Ref
|-
| Belize || {{nts|11}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/> || {{ntsp|50000||$}} ||<ref name="EM-DAT">{{cite web|author=Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters|title=EM-DAT: The OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database|publisher=Université catholique de Louvain|access-date=30 November 2012|url=http://www.emdat.be/|archive-date=15 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215235623/http://www.emdat.be/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Costa Rica || {{nts|7}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/> || {{ntsp|92000000||$}} ||<ref name="iadbcr"/>
|-
| El Salvador || {{nts|240}} ||<ref name="iadbes">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |year=2004 |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch- El Salvador |access-date=25 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051026083640/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder4.htm |archive-date=26 October 2005 }}</ref> || {{ntsp|400000000||$}} ||<ref name="iadbes"/>
|-
| Guatemala || {{nts|268}} ||<ref name="iadbg">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |year=2004 |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch- Guatemala |access-date=25 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder5.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219124742/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder5.htm |archive-date=19 December 2005 }}</ref> || {{ntsp|748000000||$}} ||<ref name="iadbg"/>
|-
| Honduras || {{nts|7000}} ||<ref name="EM-DAT"/><ref name="7000 Honduras">{{Cite news | title=British Aid For Hurricane Victims | access-date=22 September 2007 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/207924.stm | work=BBC News | date=4 November 1998 | archive-date=1 October 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051001054109/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/207924.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> || {{ntsp|3800000000||$}} ||<ref name="EM-DAT"/><ref name="hondam">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |year=1998 |title=Central America after HurricaneMitch- Honduras |access-date=28 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219114814/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder2.htm |archive-date=19 December 2005 }}</ref>
|-
| Jamaica || {{nts|3}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/> ||Unknown||
|-
| Mexico || {{nts|9}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/><ref name="EM-DAT"/> || {{ntsp|1000000||$}} ||<ref name="EM-DAT"/>
|-
| Nicaragua || {{nts|3800}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/> || {{ntsp|1000000000||$}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/>
|-
| Panama || {{nts|3}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/><ref name="EM-DAT"/> || {{ntsp|50000||$}} ||<ref name="EM-DAT"/>
|-
| United States || {{nts|2}} ||<ref name="nhc"/> || {{ntsp|40000000||$}} ||<ref name="nhc"/>
|-
| Offshore || {{nts|31}} ||<ref name="ncdc"/> || {{ntsh|0}} ||
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total !! colspan=2|{{nts|11374}} || colspan=2|{{ntsp|6081100000||$}}
|}

=== Central America ===
Hurricane Mitch was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since the [[Great Hurricane of 1780]], displacing the [[Galveston Hurricane of 1900]] as the second-deadliest on record. Nearly 11,000 people were confirmed dead, and almost as many reported missing. Deaths were mostly from flooding and [[landslide|mudslides]] in Central America, where the slow-moving hurricane and then [[tropical storm]] dropped nearly {{convert|36|in|mm|sigfig=1}} of rain. The flooding and mudslides damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes, with total damage amounting to over $5&nbsp;billion (1998&nbsp;USD, $6&nbsp;billion 2006&nbsp;USD), most of which was in [[Honduras]] and [[Nicaragua]]. Prior to Mitch, the deadliest hurricane in Central America was [[Hurricane Fifi]] in 1974, which killed an estimated 8,000–10,000.<ref name="nhc"/>

==== Honduras ====
[[File:Mitch-Tegucigalpa Damage.JPG|left|thumb|Damage in [[Tegucigalpa]]]]
Beginning on October&nbsp;26, the hurricane drew moisture from the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea to produce torrential rainfall across Honduras, producing high amounts of rainfall of over {{convert|300|mm|in|abbr=on}} per day.<ref name="ncdc"/><ref name="un"/> In some areas, high mountain peaks contributed to high precipitation totals,<ref name="nhc"/> and the highest amounts occurred in southern Honduras.<ref name="land"/> The highest official total was {{convert|928|mm|in|abbr=on}} at [[Choluteca, Choluteca|Choluteca]], which represented more than half of the annual precipitation average; at the same location, {{convert|466.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell in a 24-hour period on October&nbsp;31, which was more than double the previous record set in 1985.<ref name="un"/> At [[Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras]] in the capital [[Tegucigalpa]], rainfall totaled 294&nbsp;mm (11.58&nbsp;in).<ref name="nhc"/> The total of {{convert|120.4|mm|in|abbr=on}} on October&nbsp;30 broke the record set in 1966 for the wettest day. At La Ceiba near where the storm made landfall, Mitch produced {{convert|874|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall, which is 30% of its annual rainfall; of the total, {{convert|284.1|mm|in|abbr=on}} fell on October&nbsp;27, which was the third highest amount there on record.<ref name="un"/> There were unofficial rainfall totals in Central America as high as 1900&nbsp;mm (75&nbsp;in); rain gauges in mountainous areas were washed away.<ref name="ncdc"/> The high rainfall caused many rivers in the country to overflow "to an unprecedented extent this century", as described by the United Nations.<ref name="un"/> The greatest depth recorded was {{convert|12.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the [[Ulúa River]] near [[Chinda]], whilst the greatest width recorded was {{convert|359|m|ft|abbr=on}} on the [[Río Lean]] near [[Arizona, Atlántida|Arizona]]. The rainfall also caused widespread mudslides across the mountainous country.<ref name="flood">{{cite web|author=United States Geological Study|year=2002|title=Hurricane Mitch:Peak discharge for selected rivers in Honduras|access-date=25 April 2006|url=https://mitchnts1.cr.usgs.gov/data/floodhazard/Mitch.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060502192913/http://mitchnts1.cr.usgs.gov/data/floodhazard/Mitch.pdf |archive-date = 2 May 2006}}</ref> The flooding caused the [[Choluteca River]] to change its course, forming an [[Avulsion (river)|avulsion]]. Widespread flooding near the northern coast left behind about {{convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} of sediment, which ruined forests and shrimp ponds. Flooding also affected the Pacific coast along the [[Gulf of Fonseca]], leaving behind debris and sediment.<ref name="nwrc"/> In the country's interior, particularly the southern portion, the high rainfall caused hundreds of [[landslide]]s, many of them shallow and about 95% in the form of [[debris flow]]. However, two [[earthflow]]s caused significant damage near Tegucigalpa.<ref name="land">{{cite report|author=Edwin L. Harp|author2=Mario Castañeda|author3=Matthew D. Held|title=Landslides Triggered By Hurricane Mitch In Tegucigalpa, Honduras|publisher=United States Geological Survey|year=2002|access-date=May 24, 2013|url=http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnacr106.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926005211/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNACR106.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2006}}</ref>

While offshore northern Honduras, Hurricane Mitch passed over Guanaja island.<ref name="nhc"/> Two days of winds exceeding {{convert|200|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}} destroyed nearly all of the plants and trees on Guanaja, uprooting or knocking down almost the entire [[mangrove]] forest.<ref name="nwrc"/> It is estimated that the hurricane produced waves of {{convert|44|ft|m|abbr=on}} in height.<ref name="ncdc2">{{cite report|title=Mitch: The Deadliest Atlantic Hurricane Since 1780|date=23 January 2009|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=20 May 2013|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/mitch/mitch.html|archive-date=24 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224045502/http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/mitch/mitch.html|url-status=live}}</ref> High waves eroded northern coastlines and damaged lagoons.<ref name="eclac"/> Most of the [[Bay Islands Department|Bay Islands]] had damage to their water facilities.<ref name="iadb">{{cite report|publisher=Inter-American Development Bank |year=2000 |access-date=22 May 2013 |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch: The Challenge of Turning a Disaster into an Opportunity |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419061955/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder2.htm |archive-date=19 April 2013 }}</ref> 

Overall, Hurricane Mitch killed about 7,000&nbsp;people in Honduras,<ref name="un"/> with 11,000&nbsp;missing in the months after the storm.<ref name="ncdc"/> There were 8,000&nbsp;people listed as missing about ten days after Mitch struck, although problems with record-keeping made it difficult to determine the exact total. Choluteca Department in the southern portion of the country had the most deaths, with 1,200 fatalities. [[Francisco Morazán Department]], which includes Tegucigalpa, had about 1,000&nbsp;deaths, and [[Yoro Department]] had 911&nbsp;fatalities. There were deaths in every department, however.<ref name="un"/> Many of the dead were buried in [[mass grave]]s or were cremated.<ref name="ncdc"/> The storm injured 12,272&nbsp;people nationwide,<ref name="iadb"/> mostly in Choluteca and Cortés departments.<ref name="un"/> Throughout the country, damage was estimated at [[Honduran lempira|L]]52,345,000,000 ($3.8&nbsp;billion).<ref name="iadb"/> Of this, $2.005&nbsp;billion was from direct damages and the remainder from indirect costs. The overall impact represented about 70% of Honduras's annual gross domestic product (GDP).<ref name="eclac"/> The hurricane affected nearly the entire population and causing damage in all 18 [[Departments of Honduras|departments]].<ref name="un"/> The [[United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean]] estimated that Mitch caused the worst floods of the 20th century in the country.<ref name="eclac">{{cite report|publisher=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|date=April 1999|work=Honduras: Assessment of the damage caused by hurricane Mitch, 1998. Implications for economic and social development and for the environment|title=Description of the Damage|access-date=June 7, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/6/15506/L367-2-EN.pdf|archive-date=September 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054120/http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/6/15506/L367-2-EN.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Honduras's Social Fund for Housing estimated that 35,000&nbsp;houses nationwide were destroyed with another 50,000&nbsp;damaged,<ref name="iadb"/> many of which were poorly built or in flood-prone areas.<ref name="eclac"/> This left up to 1.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;people homeless – about 20% of the total population<ref name="ncdc"/> – and was the highest number of victims from any natural disaster in Honduras's history. Over 30% of the populations of Choluteca, Colón, and Cortés departments were left homeless.<ref name="un"/> Housing costs were estimated at $344&nbsp;million, including $221&nbsp;million in housing damage; the rest included the costs for shelters, removal of debris, and loss of rent.<ref name="eclac"/>

[[File:Mitch-San Juancito Mudslide.JPG|right|thumb|Mudslide in [[San Juancito, Honduras]]]]
Across Honduras, agriculture sustained serious damage, with initial estimates of 70% of crops destroyed.<ref name="ncdc"/> Flooding affected about 29% of the country's arable land, much of covered for an extended period of time.<ref name="iadb"/> This washed away large areas of [[topsoil]], which would take a long period of time to recover.<ref name="eclac"/> About 85% of the banana crop was lost, along with the loss of 60% of melons,<ref name="iadb"/> 60% of sugar cane,<ref name="eclac"/> and 58% of corn.<ref name="iadb"/> About one-third of the corn crop had already been harvested.<ref name="eclac"/> About 50,000&nbsp;[[bovinae|bovine]] were killed, as were 60% of the [[fowl]] population.<ref name="iadb"/> Crop and agricultural damage totaled about $1&nbsp;billion,<ref name="eclac"/> which would take the country years to recover.<ref name="ncdc"/> Poor road conditions following the storm prevented crops from being dried, which caused further damage.<ref name="eclac"/> Mitch caused substantial damage to the nation's agricultural industry, particularly in areas inhabited by [[mestizo]]s and indigenous groups. Bananas, plantains, and [[manioc]], all of which are historically important export crops for Honduras, were all essentially destroyed, as were about 80% of rice farms.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=McSweeney|first1=Kendra|last2=Coomes|first2=Oliver T.|last3=Bebbington|first3=Anthony J.|date=2011|title=Climate-related disaster opens a window of opportunity for rural poor in northeastern Honduras|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|volume=108|issue=13|pages=5203–5208|doi=10.1073/pnas.1014123108|jstor=41125677|pmid=21402909|pmc=3069189|bibcode=2011PNAS..108.5203M|issn=0027-8424|doi-access=free}}</ref> 

An estimated 70–80% of the transportation network was destroyed, including most bridges and secondary roads,<ref name="ncdc"/> amounting to $236&nbsp;million in damage. In mountainous areas, floods carrying debris damaged roads and bridges. A total of {{convert|9198|m|ft|abbr=on}} of bridges were damaged or destroyed, and an additional {{convert|2045|m|ft|abbr=on}} of approach roads were likewise damaged. Several vehicles were washed away due to the floods. In contrast to roads, there was little railway damage. There was minor impact to the nation's airports, limited to some damage to air traffic equipment. Seaports also sustained minor damage, although many lost electronic equipment. Hurricane Mitch left widespread power outages after damaging more than {{convert|385|km|mi|abbr=on}} of power lines and several power plants. About 11% of Honduras's telephone lines were damaged during the storm.<ref name="eclac"/> Landslides and flooding contaminated aqueducts in several cities, including 1,600&nbsp;systems in rural areas.<ref name="iadb"/> Many cities sustained damage to their water network,<ref name="eclac"/> and about 70% of Honduras lost access to fresh water after the storm, although many rural areas had already been experiencing water shortages.<ref name="un"/> The combined damage to transportation, communication, utilities, including power and water, was estimated at $665&nbsp;million.<ref name="iadb"/> Communications were disrupted after power outages, and there were also fuel and water shortages.<ref name="ncdc"/> Flooding damaged or destroyed industrial areas of Honduras, which affected exports and domestic products.<ref name="iadb"/> Six [[maquiladora]] factories were damaged in the northern portion of the country, and one was destroyed in [[La Ceiba]].<ref name="eclac"/> Many businesses shut down, leaving many people unemployed who already lost their homes.<ref name="un"/> Mitch also destroyed 123&nbsp;health facilities nationwide and wrecked 4,835, or 23%, of the nation's classrooms.<ref name="iadb"/> As a result, most classes that would have gone until November&nbsp;30 were ended about a month early, allowing teachers to assist in helping others.<ref name="un"/>

Severe flooding occurred in the northern region,<ref name="un"/> which washed away more than 25&nbsp;entire villages.<ref name="ncdc"/> In [[San Pedro Sula]] in northwestern Honduras, flooding covered several neighborhoods and the [[Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport|international airport]].<ref name="un"/> Near the coast, high waves destroyed hotels and houses while swollen rivers flooded nearby areas. Damage was heaviest in [[Colón Department (Honduras)|Colón]] and [[Atlántida Department|Atlántida]] departments.<ref name="iadb"/> In the latter department, the [[Cangrejal River]] left heavy damage along its path after it flooded. In [[Choluteca Department|Choluteca]] and [[Valle Department|Valle]] departments in the southern portion of the country, river flooding swept away houses and affected neighborhoods.<ref name="eclac"/> High water levels along the Choluteca River affected the capital, Tegucigalpa,<ref name="iadb"/> reaching levels {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} above their banks.<ref name="un"/> Mitch largely destroyed the center of the city, including many residential buildings along river banks.<ref name="eclac"/> The floods damaged about one-third of buildings, including some more than 350&nbsp;years old.<ref name="ncdc"/> The storm destroyed the primary water mains in Tegucigalpa and neighboring Comayagüela, and {{convert|23|km|mi|abbr=on}} of water piping had to be repaired.<ref name="eclac"/> In central Tegucigalpa, there was a large earthflow along Cerro El Berrinche mountain that weighed {{convert|6000000|m3|ft3|abbr=on}}. This landslide, the largest generated by Mitch in the country, destroyed the Colonia Soto section and damaged portions of two other neighborhoods.<ref name="land"/> It carried debris, trees, and rocks, forming a temporary dam along the Choluteca River laden with sewage.<ref name="un"/><ref name="land"/> Because the landslide was slow-moving, officials were able to evacuate before the river was stopped due to the temporary dam. Another smaller landslide destroyed several houses in the Colonia El Reparto section of the capital, although it was also slow-moving, and the residents were able to evacuate. Other landslides destroyed over 20&nbsp;houses along the rivers in the city due to erosion along river banks.<ref name="land"/>

On October&nbsp;27, the ''[[S/V Fantome]]'', a [[schooner]], last reported its location to the south of [[Guanaja]], while trying to escape the brunt of the storm. The [[United States Coast Guard]] searched until November&nbsp;4, when they observed the debris from the ship. All 31 people on board were presumed killed.<ref name="ncdc"/> On the offshore Guanaja island, waters rose about {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} during the storm.<ref name="eclac"/> The combination of [[storm surge]] and high winds severely damaged offshore islands.<ref name="ncdc"/> High waves eroded northern coastlines and damaged lagoons.<ref name="eclac"/> Most of the [[Bay Islands Department|Bay Islands]] had damage to their water facilities.<ref name="iadb"/> Two days of winds exceeding {{convert|200|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} destroyed nearly all of the plants and trees on Guanaja, uprooting or knocking down almost the entire [[mangrove]] forest.<ref name="nwrc"/> Most mangrove trees were an average of {{convert|11.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} in height before they fell. Those remaining standing were damaged internally and unable to regrow. All trees lost their leaves on the island,<ref name="03m"/> and 70% of [[Pinophyta|conifer]] trees were knocked down.<ref name="land"/> [[Montane ecology|Montane trees]] likewise experienced severe damage, although they made a recovery within a year.<ref name="03m"/> However, no mangrove trees had regrown there by three years after the storm struck, indicating the level of destruction. Tree damage also occurred on nearby [[Roatán]] island, although to a much lesser degree,<ref name="nwrc">{{cite report|author=Philippe Hensel |author2=C. Edward Proffitt |date=October 7, 2002 |title=Hurricane Mitch: Acute Impacts on Mangrove Forest Structure and an Evaluation of Recovery Trajectories |publisher=United States Geological Survey |access-date=May 24, 2013 |url=https://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/hurricane/mitch/forstructexecsumfinalrevise.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218095716/http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/hurricane/mitch/forstructexecsumfinalrevise.pdf |archive-date=February 18, 2013 }}</ref> and occurring on the eastern end. Winds there were generally less than 185&nbsp;km/h (115&nbsp;mph), and the tree damage was more random.<ref name="03m">{{cite report|author=Thomas W. Doyle|author2=Thomas C. Michot|author3=Fred Roetker|author4=Jason Sullivan|author5=Marcus Melder|author6=Benjamin Handley|author7=Jeff Balmat|title=Hurricane Mitch: Landscape Analysis of Damaged Forest Resources of the Bay Islands and Caribbean Coast of Honduras|publisher=United States Geological Survey|year=2003|access-date=May 24, 2013|url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/175/pdf/twdmitch.pdf}}</ref>

==== Nicaragua ====
[[File:Mitch-Flooding in Managua.jpg|right|thumb|Flooding in [[Lake Managua]] after the hurricane]]
Though Mitch never entered [[Nicaragua]], its large circulation caused extensive rainfall, with estimates of over {{convert|50|in|mm|sigfig=2}}.<ref name="ncdc"/> In some places, as much as {{convert|25|in|mm|sigfig=2}} of rain fell on coastal areas.<ref name="reports">{{cite web|author=ERRI Watch Center|title=Real-Time Reports Concerning the Devastation Caused by Hurricane Mitch|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://www.emergency.com/hurmitch.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060422010920/http://www.emergency.com/hurmitch.htm |archive-date = 22 April 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> The flank of the [[Geography of Nicaragua|Casita]] Volcano failed and turned into a [[lahar]] from excessive rain. The resulting [[landslide|mudslide]] ultimately covered an area {{convert|10|mi|km}} long and {{convert|5|mi|km}} wide.<ref name="ncdc"/>

Two million people in Nicaragua were directly affected by the hurricane.<ref name="ncdc"/> Across the country, Mitch's heavy rains damaged 17,600 houses and destroyed 23,900, displacing 368,300 of the population.<ref name="usgs">{{cite web |publisher=United States Geological Study |author1=Thomas W. Doyle |author2=Thomas C. Michot |author3=Fred Roetker |author4=Jason Sullivan |author5=Marcus Melder |author6=Benjamin Handley |author7=Jeff Balmat |title=Hurricane Mitch: Landscape Analysis of Damaged Forest Resources of the Bay Islands and the Caribbean Coast of Honduras |access-date=28 February 2011 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/175/pdf/twdmitch.pdf |year=2002 |archive-date=24 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624182242/http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2003/175/pdf/twdmitch.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> 340 schools and 90 health centers were severely damaged or destroyed. Sewage systems and the electricity subsector were severely damaged, and, combined with property, damage totaled to $300&nbsp;million (1998&nbsp;USD).<ref name="nicdam">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch-Nicaragua |access-date=28 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051215121339/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder3.htm |archive-date=15 December 2005 }}</ref>

[[File:Mitch- Casita Mudslide.JPG|left|thumb|Casita volcano in western [[Nicaragua]] after deadly mudslide]]
Transportation was greatly affected by the hurricane, as well. The rainfall left 70% of the roads unusable or destroyed and greatly damaged 92&nbsp;bridges.<ref name="nic">{{cite web|author=United States Geological Survey|title=Hurricane Mitch, Central America|access-date=28 February 2011|url=https://landslides.usgs.gov/research/other/hurricanemitch/|date=21 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627021022/http://landslides.usgs.gov/research/other/hurricanemitch/|archive-date=27 June 2014}}</ref> Over {{convert|1,700|mi|km}} of highways or access roads needed replacement subsequent to the storm, especially in the northern part of the country and along portions of the [[Pan-American Highway]]. Total transportation damage amounted to $300&nbsp;million (1998&nbsp;USD). Agricultural losses were significant, including the deaths of 50,000 animals, mostly bovines. Crops and fisheries were affected greatly as well, and, combined with agricultural losses, damage totaled to $185&nbsp;million (1998&nbsp;USD).<ref name="nicdam"/>

The situation was further compounded by a total of 75,000 live [[land mine]]s—left over from the [[Contra (guerrillas)|Contra]] insurgency of the 1980s—that were calculated to have been uprooted and relocated by the floodwaters.<ref name="landmine">{{cite web| author = Alexa Smith | title = Call-In Day Set to Push For Landmine Ban | date = 23 November 1998 | publisher = World Faith News | url = http://www.wfn.org/1998/11/msg00207.html|archive-date=29 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094515/http://www.wfn.org/1998/11/msg00207.html}}</ref>

In all, Hurricane Mitch caused at least 3,800 fatalities in Nicaragua, of which more than 2,000 were killed in the towns of El Provenir and Rolando Rodriguez from the landslide at the Casita volcano. The mudslide buried at least four villages completely in several feet of mud. Throughout the entire country, the hurricane left between 500,000 and 800,000 homeless. In all, damage in Nicaragua is estimated at $1&nbsp;billion (1998&nbsp;USD).<ref name="ncdc"/>

==== Rest of Central America ====
{{Deadliest hurricanes|align=right}}
Due to Mitch's large circulation, it dropped heavy precipitation as far south as [[Panama]] and [[Colombia]], especially in the [[Darién Province|Darién]] and [[Chiriquí Province|Chiriquí]] provinces. The flooding washed away a few roads and bridges, and damaged numerous houses and schools, leaving thousands homeless.<ref name="Panama">{{cite web|title=Report from Panama|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/98/s-2.htm|archive-date=20 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620005322/http://www.godsdirectcontact.org.tw/eng/news/98/s-2.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The hurricane left three casualties in Panama.<ref name="ncdc"/>

In [[Costa Rica]], Mitch dropped heavy rains, causing flash flooding and mudslides across the country, mostly in the northeastern part of the country.<ref name="ncdc"/> The storm impacted 2,135 homes to some degree, of which 241 were destroyed,<ref name="iadbcr">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch- Costa Rica |access-date=28 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder6.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219111541/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder6.htm |archive-date=19 December 2005 }}</ref> leaving 4,000 homeless.<ref name="reports"/> Throughout the country, the rainfall and mudslides affected 126 bridges and {{convert|800|mi|km}} or roads, mostly on the [[Pan-American Highway|Inter-American Highway]] which was affected by [[Hurricane Cesar]], two years prior. Mitch affected {{convert|115|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} of crop lands, causing damage to both export and domestic crops. In all, Hurricane Mitch caused $92&nbsp;million in damage (1998&nbsp;USD)<ref name="iadbcr"/> and seven deaths.<ref name="ncdc"/>

While drifting through [[El Salvador]], the hurricane dropped immense amounts of precipitation, resulting in flash flooding and mudslides through the country. Multiple rivers, including the [[Río Grande de San Miguel]] and the [[Lempa River]] overflowed, contributing to overall damage. The flooding damaged more than 10,000 houses, leaving around 84,000 homeless<ref name="iadbes"/> and forcing 500,000 to evacuate.<ref name="bbc">{{Cite news|title=Mitch: A path of destruction|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/202395.stm|date=3 December 1998|archive-date=12 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912220957/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/202395.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Crop damage was severe, with serious flooding occurring on {{convert|386|mi2|km2|abbr=on}} of pasture or crop land. The flooding destroyed 37% of the bean production, 19% of the corn production, and 20% losses in sugar canes. There were heavy losses in livestock as well, including the deaths of 10,000 cattle. Total agricultural and livestock damaged amounted to $154 million (1998&nbsp;USD). In addition, the flooding destroyed two bridges and damaged {{convert|1,200|mi|km|abbr=on}} of unpaved roads. In all, Mitch caused nearly $400 million in damage (1998 USD) and 240 deaths.<ref name="iadbes"/>

Similar to the rest of Central America, Mitch's heavy rains caused mudslides and severe flooding over [[Guatemala]]. The flooding destroyed 6,000 houses and damaged 20,000 others, displacing over 730,000 and forcing over 100,000 to evacuate. In addition, the flooding destroyed 27 schools and damaged 286 others, 175 severely. Flooding caused major damage to crops, while landslides destroyed crop land across the country. The most severely affected crops for domestic consumption were tomatoes, bananas, corn, other vegetables, and beans, with damaged totaling to $48 million (1998 USD). Export crops such as bananas or coffee were greatly damaged as well, with damage amounting to $325 million (1998 USD). Damage to plantations and soil totaled to $121 million (1998 USD). The flooding also caused severe damage to the transportation infrastructure, including the loss of 37 bridges. Across the country, flooding damaged or destroyed {{convert|840|mi|km}} of roads, of which nearly {{convert|400|mi|km}} were sections of major highways. In all, Hurricane Mitch caused $748 million (1998 USD) and 268 deaths in Guatemala.<ref name="iadbg"/> In addition, Mitch caused 11 indirect deaths when a plane crashed during the storm.<ref name="bbc"/>

In [[Belize]], the hurricane was less severe than initially predicted, though Mitch still caused heavy rainfall across the country.<ref name="bbc"/> Numerous rivers exceeded their crests, though the rainfall was beneficial to trees in mountainous areas.<ref name="unofbe">{{cite web|title=Unofficial Reports from Belize|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mbelize.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217170122/http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mbelize.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The flooding caused extensive crop damage and destroyed many roads. Throughout the country, eleven people died because of the hurricane.<ref name="bbc"/>

[[File:Mitch1998rain.gif|right|thumb|300px|Rainfall totals in Mexico and Florida]]
In Mexico, Mitch produced gusty winds and heavy rains on the [[Yucatán Peninsula]], with [[Cancún]] on the [[Quintana Roo]] coast being the worst hit.<ref name="bbc"/> Nine people were killed from the flooding, though damage was relatively minimal.<ref name="ncdc"/> The maximum 24-hour rainfall total from Mitch was {{convert|13.4|in|mm|sigfig=3}} in [[Campeche, Campeche|Campeche]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Servicio Meteorológico Nacional|year=1998|title=Huracán "MITCH" del Océano Atlántico|language=es|access-date=12 October 2006|url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo1998/atlantico/mitch/mitch.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061004115055/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo1998/atlantico/mitch/mitch.html |archive-date = 4 October 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the highest rainfall total was {{convert|16.85|in|mm|sigfig=4}} in [[Ciudad del Carmen]].<ref name="rain">{{cite web|author=David Roth|year=2006|title=Hurricane Mitch Rainfall Data|publisher=Hydrometeorological Prediction Center|access-date=16 October 2006|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/mitch1998rain.gif|archive-date=25 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925075929/http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/mitch1998rain.gif|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Caribbean Sea ===
Mitch was also responsible for the loss with all hands of [[Windjammer Barefoot Cruises]]' [[schooner]] ''[[S/V Fantome|Fantome]]''. The story was recorded in the book ''The Ship and The Storm'' by Jim Carrier. The schooner, which was sailing near the center of the hurricane, experienced over {{convert|50|ft|m}} waves and over {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} winds, causing her to sink off the coast of Honduras.<ref name="fantome">{{cite web|author=Cynthia Corzo, Curtis Morgan and John Barry Herald Staff Writers|title=The Loss of the Windjammer, Fantome|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://www.fortogden.com/fantommiamiherald.html|archive-date=26 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026133449/http://www.fortogden.com/fantommiamiherald.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On the south coast of [[Cuba]], the hurricane caused waves of up to {{convert|13|ft|m}} high and winds gusts peaking at {{convert|42|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, causing numerous tourists and workers on the [[Isle of Youth]] and [[Cayo Largo del Sur]] to leave for safer grounds.<ref name="mitchcar">{{Cite news|author=Angus MacSwan|date=27 October 1998|title=Ferocious Hurricane Mitch threatens Central America|agency=Reuters|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=5 January 2012|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/40590|archive-date=11 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111121955/http://reliefweb.int/node/40590|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[Jamaica]], where officials declared hurricane warnings 12&nbsp;hours prior to its closest approach,<ref name="nhc"/> Mitch caused moderate rainfall and gusty winds for days. Strong waves hit western Jamaica, with wave heights unofficially estimated at nearly {{convert|7|ft|m}} in height. The rainfall in outer rainbands, at times severe, flooded many roads across the island and left them covered with debris. One house in [[Spanish Town]] collapsed from the flooding, leaving four homeless. Many other homes and buildings were flooded, forcing many to evacuate. A river in northeastern Jamaica overflowed its banks, while heavy rainfall across the mountainous parts of the country caused numerous mudslides.<ref name="unofjam">{{cite web|title=Unofficial Reports from Jamaica|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mjamaica.htm|archive-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217170105/http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mjamaica.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In all, Mitch killed three people on Jamaica.<ref name="ncdc"/>

On the [[Cayman Islands]], the hurricane caused strong waves, gusty winds, and heavy rainfall at times. Damage was relatively minimal, amounting to blown out windows and [[beach erosion]]. Strong waves damaged or destroyed many docks on the south shore of the islands, and also sank one dive ship near [[Grand Cayman]]. In addition, numerous incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled.<ref name="unofcayman">{{cite web|year=1998|title=Unofficial Reports from the Cayman IslandsJamaica|access-date=28 April 2006|url=http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mcayman.htm|archive-date=22 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622180806/http://stormcarib.com/mitch/mcayman.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Florida and Europe ===
[[File:Mitch 1998-11-03 2044Z.gif|left|thumb|Mitch redeveloping in the Bay of Campeche on 3 November.]]
Then a tropical storm, Mitch caused a storm surge of up to {{convert|4|ft}} in the lower [[Florida Keys]] before making landfall on the Florida west coast. [[Key West International Airport]] reported peak wind gusts of {{convert|55|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and sustained winds of {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, the only report of tropical storm force in the state.<ref name="nhc"/> Offshore, the [[Fowey Rocks Light]] reported wind gusts of {{convert|73|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Jay Barnes|title=Florida's Hurricane History|publisher=0807830682|year=2007|page=304|isbn=978-0-8078-2443-6}}</ref> In addition, Mitch caused moderate rainfall, peaking at {{convert|7|in|mm|sigfig=1}} in [[Jupiter, Florida|Jupiter]], though some estimates indicate localized totals of up to {{convert|10|in|mm|sigfig=2}}. The storm spawned five tornadoes over the state, the strongest of which was rated [[Fujita scale|F2]].<ref name="nhc"/>

In the Florida Keys, multiple buildings that had been damaged by [[Hurricane Georges]] were leveled by Mitch.<ref name="ncdc"/> Tornadoes from the storm damaged or destroyed 645 houses across the state, in addition to injuring 65&nbsp;people.<ref name="nhc"/> Gusty winds left 100,000 without power during the storm's passage.<ref name="ncdc"/> In all, Mitch caused $40&nbsp;million in damage (1998&nbsp;USD) in Florida and two deaths from drowning when two boats capsized.<ref name="nhc"/>

As an extratropical cyclone, Mitch passed west of Ireland and the United Kingdom. In Ireland, the storm produced gusts as high as {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on}} waves. The winds knocked down trees and power lines, leaving over 30,000&nbsp;homes without power. One tree fell onto a car in [[County Louth|Louth]], severely injuring the driver. In [[Dublin]], high winds knocked the roof off of a building, and several other buildings nationwide were damaged. The storm caused airports to close and ferry service to be suspended.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lynne Kelleher|title=Hurricane Mitch leaves 30,000 homes in dark out after night of chaos|newspaper=The Mirror|location=London|date=10 November 1998|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hurricane+Mitch+leaves+30,000+homes+in+dark+out+after+night+of+chaos%3B...-a060612825|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109161134/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hurricane%2BMitch%2Bleaves%2B30%2C000%2Bhomes%2Bin%2Bdark%2Bout%2Bafter%2Bnight%2Bof%2Bchaos%3B...-a060612825|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Aftermath ==
[[File:Mitch-Tegucigalpa Cleanup.JPG|right|thumb|Cleanup in [[Tegucigalpa]]]]
{{See also|List of retired Atlantic hurricane names}}
As a result of the extreme damage and catastrophic loss of life caused by Hurricane Mitch, particularly in Central America, the name ''Mitch'' was retired by the [[World Meteorological Organization]] following this storm, and will never again be used for a North Atlantic tropical cyclone. It was replaced with ''Matthew'' for the [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|2004 season]].<ref name="2002–07names">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030411092257/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml|archive-date=11 April 2003|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|date=4 March 2003|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>

After the disaster, countries around the world donated significant aid, totaling $6.3&nbsp;billion (1998&nbsp;USD). Throughout Central America, which was recovering from an economic crisis that occurred in 1996, many wished to continue the growth of the infrastructure and economy. In addition, after witnessing the vulnerability to hurricanes, the affected governments endeavored to prevent such a disaster from occurring again.<ref name="iadbca">{{cite web|author=Inter-American Development Bank |year=2004 |title=Central America After Hurricane Mitch |access-date=25 April 2006 |url=http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219115619/http://www.iadb.org/regions/re2/consultative_group/backgrounder1.htm |archive-date=19 December 2005 }}</ref>

Hundreds of thousands of people lost their homes, but many took this as an opportunity to rebuild stronger houses. With a new, structurally improved foundation, homes were redesigned to be able to withstand another hurricane. However, lack of arable crop land took away the jobs from many, decreasing an already low income even lower.<ref name="care.org">{{cite web|title=Remembering Hurricane Mitch for Better and for Worse|author=Allen Clinton, CARE Press Officer|access-date=30 April 2006|url=http://www.care.org/newsroom/articles/2003/10/10282003_hondurasmitch_elporton.asp|archive-date=15 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115010737/http://www.care.org/newsroom/articles/2003/10/10282003_hondurasmitch_elporton.asp|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Costa Rica]], reconstruction after the hurricane increased the number of jobs by 5.9%, lowering the unemployment rate slightly.<ref name="iadbcr"/>

Following the passage of Mitch, disease outbreaks occurred throughout Central America, including [[cholera]], [[leptospirosis]], and [[dengue fever]]. Over 2,328 cases of cholera were reported, killing 34&nbsp;people. Guatemala was most affected by the bacterium, where most of the deaths occurred from contaminated food. 450 cases of leptospirosis were reported in Nicaragua, killing seven people. There were over 1,357 cases of dengue reported, though no deaths were reported from the disease.<ref name="paho">{{cite web|title=Disease Threat following Hurricane Mitch|author=Pan-American Health Organization|access-date=30 April 2006|url=http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedep07.htm|archive-date=26 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626203758/http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedep07.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

While stalling over the western Caribbean Sea, Mitch's strong winds produced strong waves, damaging local [[coral reef]]s. Later, the storm's immense rainfall led to runoff polluted with debris and fresh water. This resulted in diseases occurring within the coral. However, the hurricane's [[upwelling]] cooled the warm water temperatures, preventing significant bleaching and destruction of the coral reef.<ref name="coral">{{cite web|title=Coral Reefs in Honduras: Status after Hurricane Mitch |author=United States Geological Survey |access-date=30 April 2006 |url=https://coastal.er.usgs.gov/education/mitch-movie/transcript.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060417080119/http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/education/mitch-movie/transcript.html |archive-date=17 April 2006 }}</ref>

===Honduras===
[[File:HN002Teguci MtchSclptr.jpg|thumb|A completely-destroyed building caused by Mitch]]
Then-president [[Carlos Roberto Flores]] estimated that Mitch reversed 50&nbsp;years of progress in the country. Officials estimated it would take at least 15&nbsp;years to rebuild completely.<ref name="ncdc">{{cite report|title=Mitch: The Deadliest Atlantic Hurricane Since 1780|date=January 23, 2009|publisher=National Climatic Data Center|access-date=May 20, 2013|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/reports/mitch/mitch.html}}</ref> The national gross domestic product (GDP) only grew at a rate of 3% due to the storm, compared with 5.1% in 1997, due to damaged infrastructure and lingering effects.<ref name="iadb"/> In 1999, the economy of Honduras contracted by 1.9%, largely due to the storm.<ref name="eclac99">{{cite report|publisher=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|title=General Trends 1999–2000|year=2000|access-date=June 8, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/0/6030/Honduras.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Honduran government increased spending by 24.7%,.<ref name="eclac98">{{cite report|publisher=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|title=General Trends 1998–1999|year=1999|access-date=June 8, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.cl/publicaciones/xml/8/4918/honduras_eng.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> much of it emergency funds to restore communications and provide relief, which caused economic deficits.<ref name="iadb"/> This caused inflation to increase from 13.6% to 15.7%.<ref name="eclac98"/> The Honduran government adjusted its economic plan, including [[privatization]] of various federal entities.<ref name="eclac99"/> For two years, the government temporarily halted taxes to businesses affected by the hurricane.<ref name="eclac02">{{cite report|publisher=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|title=General Trends 2001–2002|year=2002|access-date=June 8, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/5/14955/lcg2179-i_Hon.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In the storm's immediate aftermath, officials enacted a widespread curfew after reports of looting and vandalism. The government temporarily restricted constitutional rights for 15&nbsp;days. Officials urged residents to restrict water and fuel use, and alcohol sales were halted.<ref name="un"/> The widespread flooding and the crippled infrastructure forced officials to rely on a limited number of helicopters to operate [[search and rescue]] missions and deliver supplies. A helicopter carrying four&nbsp;people, including Tegucigalpa mayor and potential [[2001 Honduran general election|presidential candidate]] [[César Castellanos (politician)|César Castellanos]], crashed on November&nbsp;1 while touring flood damage, killing everyone aboard. In some areas, residents did not receive assistance until November&nbsp;12, more than two weeks after Mitch's landfall.<ref name="ncdc"/> About 285,000&nbsp;people remained in 1,375&nbsp;shelters, many of them schools, by three weeks after the hurricane struck. Some sports stadiums and churches were also used as makeshift shelters. Overcrowding at shelters caused various diseases.<ref name="un"/>

Due to the hurricane and the widespread destruction, the hurricane caused outbreaks of [[malaria]], [[dengue fever|dengue]], [[cholera]], and various fever and respiratory illnesses.<ref name="ncdc"/> Ongoing flooding caused an outbreak of [[Leptospirosis]], notably in Cortés Department.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Mariela Naranjo|title=Study of a Leptospirosis Outbreak in Honduras Following Hurricane Mitch and Prophylactic Protection of the vax-SPIRAL® Vaccine|journal=MEDICC Review|date=Summer 2008|volume=10|number=3|url=http://www.medicc.org/mediccreview/articles/mr_21.pdf|display-authors=etal}}</ref> There were widespread food and water shortages, leaving villagers near-starvation.<ref name="ncdc"/> Damaged crops also prevented the export of cash crops,<ref name="eclac"/> and exports decreased by 9.4% in 1999.<ref name="eclac99"/> Many of the people left homeless also became unemployed, and there were reductions in exports and economic growth. Officials set up shelters that housed 285,000&nbsp;people for about a month.<ref name="iadb"/> In Tegucigalpa, where the Choluteca River was dammed by a landslide, a temporary lagoon filled with sewage persisted for about two months, until a crew from the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]] and [[United States Geological Survey]] dug a channel to drain the water.<ref name="land"/>

Even before the storm struck, the government of Honduras issued an appeal for international assistance. In the immediate aftermath, the United States provided $875,000 in aid. A portion went to purchasing and delivering food, while the majority used airplanes to participate in rescue missions and deliver supplies, such as plastic sheets and water. The United States ultimately gave $15&nbsp;million in aid to Honduras through various United Nations organizations. Mexico donated food, medicine, and clothing, and Cuba sent a team of doctors and mobile hospitals. Uruguay donated a pump for the city of Choluteca to restore water there. Several European Countries sent aid to Honduras, in addition to donations from the [[European Union]]. France sent medical equipment, and the government of Japan provided a [[field hospital]] that helped 300&nbsp;patients per day in the center of Tegucigalpa. Following the storm, the [[United Nations Development Programme]] sent a team to Honduras and El Salvador to determine the needs of the population. The Honduran government requested the team to assess the socio-economic impact of the storm. The [[World Food Programme]] provided $17&nbsp;million worth of food to the country. The [[Pan American Health Organization]] focused on restoring water systems by providing latrines, while [[UNICEF]] sent large water tanks.<ref name="un"/>

The [[Inter-American Development Bank]] approved $197.4&nbsp;million in loans in 1998, most of which due to Hurricane Mitch. The loans were to assist in rebuilding damaged infrastructure, including for water systems, transportation, and houses.<ref name="iadb"/> Various countries provided nearly $2.8&nbsp;billion to the country in aid,<ref name="eclac99"/> which limited the annual debt following the hurricane's damage.<ref name="eclac98"/> The foreign aid due to the storm largely ended by 2003.<ref>{{cite report|publisher=Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean|title=General Trends 2002–2003|year=2003|access-date=June 8, 2013|url=http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/0/15000/Honduras.pdf}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Overall cost for reconstruction was estimated at $2.5&nbsp;billion, which was estimated to take four years. The cost for repairing the damaged houses was estimated at $484.8&nbsp;million. Following the storm, workers made emergency repairs to the destroyed bridges and roads. The cost for rebuilding roads was higher than their damage cost due to planning for future flooding. Within a month, there were repairs to the power grid to a level of 550&nbsp;[[Megawatt|MW]], or 91.7% of what it was before Mitch struck. Water companies restored water to 60% of Tegucigalpa within a month of the storm striking.<ref name="eclac"/>

Millions of Hondurans were left homeless as a result of Mitch, and the most substantial reconstruction efforts took place in Honduras and neighboring [[Nicaragua]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hurricane Mitch {{!}} storm, Central America [1998]|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Hurricane-Mitch|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> Hundreds of refugee centers each holding thousands of displaced Hondurans were set up in cities. However, many of these centers were ineffective at providing food and resources. Part of this was due to confusion between the government, churches, and local commerce groups over how supplies were to be allocated and distributed. There were significant resources intended for refugees, but authorities often hoarded it in heavily-guarded warehouses. The entire hurricane and subsequent refugee crisis did bring to light the problems Hondurans faced relating to contagious diseases, and the country received considerable medical attention in the aftermath of Mitch.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Symanski|first=Richard|date=1998|title=Honduras: When the Saints Arrive|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/215713|journal=Geographical Review|volume=88|issue=4|pages=571–579|doi=10.2307/215713|jstor=215713|issn=0016-7428|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Outside of cities, the recovery took longer, with rural areas receiving little areas compared to urban areas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Honduras: About Honduras|url=https://www.basilthegreat.org/honduras-about-honduras/|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=St. Basil the Great Catholic Church|language=en-US|archive-date=March 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321211702/https://www.basilthegreat.org/honduras-about-honduras/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The destruction of crops also led to malnourishment and starvation for Hondurans, worsening the already existing problems related to disease.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|date=1999|title=Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Mitch|journal=Environmental Health Perspectives|volume=107|issue=3|pages=A139–A140|doi=10.2307/3434497|jstor=3434497|pmid=10391735|pmc=1566390|issn=0091-6765|doi-access=free}}</ref> Despite the damage, the hurricane helped some rural populations because it forced a change in how the groups used their land. A study in 2002 found that the damaged forests allowed for more agriculture space.<ref name=":1" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones|1990s}}

*[[List of deadliest Atlantic hurricanes]]
*[[List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes]]
*[[List of wettest tropical cyclones]]
*[[List of Honduras hurricanes]]
*[[List of Nicaragua hurricanes]]

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist|group=nb}}

=== Cited sources ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category-inline|Hurricane Mitch}}
*[https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL131998_Mitch.pdf NHC tropical cyclone report for Mitch]
*[https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/1998/1998MITCHadv.html NHC advisory archive for Mitch]
*[http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/mitch1998.html HPC Mitch Rainfall Page]

{{Retired Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes}}
{{1998 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitch}}
[[Category:Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Florida|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in El Salvador|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guatemala|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Honduras|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Nicaragua|Mitch]]
[[Category:Atlantic hurricanes in Mexico|Mitch]]
[[Category:Retired Atlantic hurricanes|Mitch]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Europe|Mitch]]
[[Category:1998 Atlantic hurricane season|Mitch]]
[[Category:1998 natural disasters]]
[[Category:1998 in Mexico]]
[[Category:1998 in Florida]]
[[Category:1998 in El Salvador]]
[[Category:1998 in Guatemala]]
[[Category:October 1998 in North America]]
[[Category:November 1998 in North America]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Panama]]