GeoResources - Geography website: Hurricane Mitch

Reports of the damage and destruction left by Hurricane Mitch from each country affected

HONDURAS
The entire country was affected by Hurricane Mitch. Early estimates said 6,500 people had died with up to 11,000 missing. Up to 1.5 million people were displaced and made homeless. There were critical food, medicine, and water shortages. Hunger and near-starvation were widespread in many villages. Epidemics became a danger as malaria, dengue, and cholera made an appearance. Fever and respiratory illnesses were widespread amongst the survivors. Helicopters were required to take supplies to areas cut off by floods, but were in short supply. At least 20% of the country's population became homeless. Many of the unidentified dead were buried in mass graves or their bodies were cremated.

The infrastructure of Honduras was devastated. Whole villages were washed away and an estimated 70-80% of transportation infrastructure was destroyed. The majority of the country's bridges and secondary roads were washed away. Even airports were under water. Helicopters were required for most rescues and aid because of transportation difficulties. Fuel, electricity and running water became scarce commodities. Damage was so severe that it was calculated that it could take 15-20 years or more to rebuild the country. One third of all buildings in the capital were damaged by the floods. In outlying areas, over 25 small villages in the northern part of the country were swept away. Survivors were still clinging to roof tops a week or more after the storm. Heavy damage was caused along the coastline and off-shore islands from the storm surge and hurricane-force winds. Severe damage was inflicted on tourist resorts. Estimated damage was $4 billion in Honduras alone.

At least 70% of crops were destroyed, including 80% of the banana crop. Crop losses were estimated at $900 million. Large warehouses and storage rooms for coffee were flooded. Maize and corn crops were devastated. The damage by Hurricane Mitch to Honduran agricultural production will take years for recovery.

NICARAGUA:
Northwest and northern parts of the country were most affected. An estimated 3800 died with perhaps as many as 7,000 others still missing. Two million people were directly affected and 500,000 - 800,000 were made homeless. Intense near-stationary rain bands over western Nicaragua on Thursday and Friday (October 29-30) caused tens of inches of rain to fall. The crater lake atop the dormant Casita volcano filled and part of the walls collapsed on Friday, October 30, causing mud flows that eventually covered an area ten miles long and five miles wide. At least four villages were totally buried in the mud that was several feet deep. Over 2,000 of the dead were from the areas around the collapsed volcano near Posoltega. In many cases, survivors had to wait days before the mud had dried enough to walk to rescuers. Damage was extensive from flooding in other parts of the country, also. As late as November 8, over a thousand people were in urgent need of supplies on the Coco River near the border with Honduras. On November 5th, 500 bodies were found in the Coco River near the town of Wiwili. An additional 500 unidentified bodies had washed up on the Pacific shore after flood waters had washed their bodies out to sea. As with Honduras, there were critical food and water shortages in flooded areas. The infrastructure in affected regions was devastated. Several villages were buried under mud slides near the Casita Volcano. Damage estimates for Nicaragua are at $1 billion. Over 30% of the coffee crop was destroyed and there was serious damage to the bean, sugar, and banana crops.

EL SALVADOR
The western part of the country was most affected by rain bands spiralling into Mitch from the Pacific Ocean. 230 people died and 500,000 were forced from their homes by the flooding. As much as 80% of the maize crop was lost. Coffee plantations and the sugar cane crop was severely affected.

GUATEMALA
Over 200 people were killed by the floods. Ten U.S. citizens and one other person was killed in a plane crash supplying humanitarian aid on November 1. Nearly 80,000 people were evacuated from their homes because of the flooding. There was extensive damage to the coffee and banana plantations.

Foreign Aid Provided
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter visited the region and called for re-structuring and scaling back of international debt owed by Honduras and Nicaragua. The United States gave $80 million in aid for Central America. Spain provided $105 million in aid and Sweden promised $100 -$200 million over a three year period. In addition, tons of food and grain were flown in by humanitarian organizations. Mexico provided an airlift of urgently needed supplies, and European countries donated $8 million. Canada supplied over $7 million in assistance. Additional help came from Japan and other countries.


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