Hurricane Mitch

●A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain

Most intense Atlantic hurricanes
Intensity is measured solely by central pressure

Rank	Hurricane	Season	Min. pressure mbar (hPa)
1	Wilma	2005	882
2	Gilbert	1988	888
3	"Labor Day"	1935	892
4	Rita	2005	895
5	Allen	1980	899
6	Katrina	2005	902
7	Camille	1969	905
	Mitch	1998	905
	Dean	2007	905
10	"Cuba"	1924	910

●One of the most devestating hurricanes of our time to cripple the country of Honduras was Hurricane Mitch. Hondurans watched in disbelief as Mitch circled just off the coast, leading no clues as to where it would strike next. To the amazement of all, it took a surprising turn and tore through the very center of the country, destroying major cities such as San Pedro Sula, and even the capital of Tegucigalpa.

The flooding was indescribable. San Pedro Sula's newly completed ultra-modern airport was 6 feet underwater. Its brand new, top of the line computer systems were useless. All equipment would need to be replaced. In outlying areas, people stranded on rooftops, surrounded by water, were helicoptered out to safety. Guananja, the most heavily damaged of the Bay Islands, would take years to recover.

Rebuilding the country of Hondurastook the strength of all its people, and that of many generous and empathetic donators of money, and more importantly, time. Help poured in from such far away nations as Japan, England, andRussia. The majority of countries donated to the cause of rebuilding Honduras. Hurricane Mitch's only good outcome was the bonding of humanity, across several lands, to forge ahead and create beauty from chaos.

*aldara*