Hurricane Eta

Early on November 1, the governments of Honduras and Nicaragua issued Hurricane Watches and Warnings for the northeastern coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the Honduras–Nicaragua border and the northeastern coast of Nicaragua from the Honduras–Nicaragua border to Puerto Cabezas, respectively.[20][21] Later that day, a hurricane warning was issued from the Honduras–Nicaragua border to Sandy Bay Sirpi while a tropical storm warning was issued for areas from Punta Patuca to the Honduras–Nicaragua border.[22] A tropical storm watch was also issued from west of Punta Patuca westward to Punta Castilla late that same day.[23]

Hurricane Eta shortly before landfall in Nicaragua on November 3. Its rainbands covered most of Central America.

With the threat of 14–21 feet (4.3–6.4 m) of storm surge along the coastline, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega issued a yellow alert for the departments of Jinotega, Nueva Segovia, and the North Caribbean Autonomous Region on October 31, which were upgraded to a red alert by November 2.[24][25] Residents in coastal communities were advised to evacuate as supplies, including 88 tons of food, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, and plastic, were delivered to Puerto Cabezas according Nicaragua's National System for the Prevention, Mitigation and Attention of Disaster.[26] The Nicaraguan Navy helped evacuate more than 3,000 families from offshore islands to Puerto Cabezas as residents in the city waited in long lines to access cash machines while getting supplies.[27][28] Just before the storm's arrival, the Nicaraguan Army moved its Humanitarian and SAR Unit (Unidad Humanitaria y de Rescate - UHR in Spanish) to Bilwi, Puerto Cabezas, to help in search and rescue efforts that would occur due to Eta.[29][30] More than 10,000 people sought refuge at shelters in Puerto Cabezas and surrounding villages.[31]

A red alert was placed for Honduran departments of Gracias a Dios, Colón, Atlántida, Islas de la Bahía, and Olancho while a yellow alert was declared for Santa Bárbara, Francisco Morazán, Comayagua, El Paraíso, Yoro, and Cortés. A green alert was issued for Copán, Ocotepeque, Lempira, Intibucá, La Paz, Valle, and Choluteca.[32] The Honduran Air Force prepared two planes to send 4,000 pounds of food to La Mosquitia, Gracias a Dios.[33] The National Police of Honduras was tasked to advise passengers of roadways blocked by a landslide or flooding.[34] More than 20,000 pounds of food was stored at the Offices of Risk Management and National Contingencies in San Pedro Sula, ahead of the storm.[35] The national "feriado morazánico" holiday was also canceled.[36][37]

The Civil Protection Directorate of El Salvador evacuated residents in Tecoluca after setting up 1,152 shelters across the country. The Autonomous Executive Port Commission considered temporarily closing the El Salvador International Airport due to Eta.[38] The Executive Hydroelectric Commission of the Lempa River cleared pipes to prevent flooding in communities along the river.[39]

Costa Rica's National Meteorological Institute forecast widespread rainfall in association with the outer bands of Eta, primarily along the Pacific coastline. With flooding beginning during the overnight hours of November 2, the National Emergency Commission (NCE) established multiple shelters for evacuees. The agency planned to set up three types of shelters due to the COVID-19 pandemic: infected persons, suspected infected persons, and non-infected persons. Landslides were expected in many areas due to saturated soils.[40]

Although not in the direct path of Eta, the fringe effects of the hurricane were expected to cause disruptions in Panama. Seagoing vessels were alerted to dangerous swells in Caribbean waters along with wind gusts up to 37 mph (60 km/h).[41] The Ministry of Public Works advised residents to stay vigilant for possible flooding and landslides. MPO road crews were dispatched to ensure highways remained clear for travel.[42]

As flooding was a major threat because of heavy rainfalls, a flood warning was issued for all of Belize in preparation for Eta as the National Emergency Management Organization urged residents to evacuate.[43]

Eta shortly after regaining tropical storm status, approaching the Cayman Islands and Cuba on November 7.

As the projected path for Eta showed the system coming close to Grand Cayman, a tropical storm watch and a flood warning were put into effect for Grand Cayman and all islands of the Cayman Islands on November 5. The watch became tropical storm warning the following day as Tropical Storm Eta moved closer. Government schools were closed in the islands, as were ports in George Town, Grand Cayman and Creek, Creek, Cayman Brac.[44]

On November 6, the Government of Cuba issued a tropical storm watch for the provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, La Habana, Havana, Pinar del Rio, and the Isle of Youth.[45] Later that day, these were upgraded to tropical storm warnings in some provinces.[46]

Late on November 6, the government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for its northwestern islands, including: the Abacos, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence.[47] The next day, these watches were upgraded to tropical storm warnings.[48]

On November 6, tropical storm watches were issued for the Florida Keys and parts of the coast of the Florida peninsula. The next day, these were upgraded to tropical storm warnings in the Florida Keys and the southern tip of the peninsula.[49] On November 7, Hurricane Watches and Warnings were issued parallelly for much of the Florida peninsula and both Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches were extended further north.[50] Residents of mobile homes and other vulnerable structures in the Florida Keys were told to evacuate ahead of Tropical Storm Eta as a state of emergency was declared in several counties including Monroe and Miami-Dade.[51] Later, Hurricane Warnings were issued for the Florida Keys.[52] All the warnings for Florida were cancelled by November 9, only to have more issued the next day along the western side of the state as Eta changed directions.[53][54]

Despite passing north of the San Andrés Island, part of the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Eta still brought considerable damage to the island. Wind speeds of 75 km/h (47 mph) downed the trees and damaged houses, and Eta also caused severe flooding on the island. Damage across the archipelago reached COL$3 billion (US$777,000).[55] Across the archipelago, two people were injured and 141 families were affected. A total of 6 homes were destroyed while another 64 homes and 24 businesses suffered damage.[74]

As Eta neared landfall, its powerful winds downed power lines and uprooted trees while causing flooding and damaging roofs in Puerto Cabezas.[75] A storm surge of 26 to 33 feet (7.9 to 10.1 m) was reported when Eta made landfall.[3] At the Getsemani School, where 215 people were sheltering, Eta's strong winds ripped 10 sheets of metal off the school's roof. There were no injures or fatalities in the incident.[76] Significant rainfall occurred across much of Nicaragua, with a peak of 26.55 in (674 mm) reported at Puerto Corinto on the country's northwest Pacific coast.[3] Eta was responsible for death of two people in the municipality of Bonanza died after they were buried in a landslide while working in a mine.[66] Overall, Eta caused C$6.128 billion (US$178.4 million) of damage in Nicaragua.[67]

Hurricane Eta had disastrous effects on Honduras, largely due to catastrophic flooding. Flooding caused 559 residents to flee their homes and two others had to be rescued.[77] An estimated 80 percent of the agricultural sector was reported as lost by the Ministry of Agricultural Livestock.[78] At least 457 homes were damaged by floodwaters, 41 communities were cut off by washed-out roads, and at least nine bridges were destroyed including one in La Ceiba.[79] In La Ceiba, floodwaters rushed through streets, and the flooding also washed away a structure at a local cemetery. A ferry leaving Roatán was rocked by large waves and winds with 300 passengers onboard while trying to reach the port of La Ceiba. Nobody was injured or killed on the ferry. 60 fishermen were lost at sea for days off the coast of Honduras before making it back to shore.[80][81] The Permanent Contingency Commission of Honduras reported that 14 roads and 339 homes were destroyed.[82] In Olanchito, 12 people, including two newborns, were trapped.[83] A wall collapsed at a prison in El Progreso letting in waist-deep floodwaters, causing the evacuation of more than 600 inmates.[84] At least 74 people have been killed across Honduras as a result of Eta, mainly due to landslides and drownings.[62] Among the dead were at least four people, including three children, who were killed in the mountains outside the north coast city of Tela due to different landslides.[79] In Santa Barbara, a 2-year-old girl was killed when she and her mother were swept away by floodwaters; the mother survived.[79] Four members of the same family died in the municipality of Gualala due to heavy rains.[85] A 13-year-old girl was killed when a mudflow caused her home to collapse in the village of Carmen.[86] In Sulaco, a 15-year-old boy drowned while trying to cross a rain-swollen river.[87] A 37-year-old man also drowned in San Manuel, in the western part of the Lempira Department.[88] Total economic losses in Honduras are estimated in excess of 125 billion lempiras (US$5 billion).[63][64]

According to the country's president, Alejandro Giammattei, at least 60% of the eastern city of Puerto Barrios was flooded with another 48 hours of rain expected. About 100 homes were damaged by flooding and landslides.[56] A bridge crossing the Río Grande de Zacapa in Jocotán was washed away.[89] At least 53 people died across Guatemala, while an additional 96 remain missing.[61] An estimated 343,000 people were directly affected by the storm.[90] The village of Queja near San Cristobal Verapaz in the center of the country was particularly hard-hit, with a landslide burying 150 homes.[60] Over 100 people were buried from the landslide, and rescuers began searching them on November 9.[91] However, the searching was called off two days later.[92] Infrastructural damage were amounted to be exceed Q3 billion (US$386 million).[61]

Heavy rainfall affected much of El Salvador as Eta passed to the northeast. Accumulations generally exceeded 2.8 in (70 mm) with a maximum of 6.3 in (160 mm) in the La Unión Department. A total of 107 communities experienced power outages. Nationwide, 1,991 people required evacuation due to floods and landslides.[93] Despite a ban on fishing activities, one fisherman drowned off the coast of Playa El Espino in the Usulután Department.[58][93]

The outer bands of Hurricane Eta brought heavy rainfall to portions of Costa Rica. The heaviest rains were concentrated along the nation's Pacific coast, especially in Guanacaste Province.[94] Multiple reports of flooding and landslides occurred nationwide, 12 rivers saw increased levels, prompting concern for further flooding, and 26 people required evacuation in Corredores and Parrita.[95] In southern Costa Rica, a landslide onto a house killed two residents, a Costa Rican woman and an American man.[56] Preliminary damage in the nation were almost ₡10 billion (US$16.5 million).[57]

The National Civil Protection System in Panama, Sinaproc, reported that 200 homes were damaged by rainfall, possibly associated with Eta.[96] The highway that connects the province of Chiriquí with Bocas del Toro collapsed near Hornito, blocking the passage of vehicles in both directions.[97] Flooding in Panama's Chiriqui province, near the Costa Rica border killed 19 people.[68] Agricultural loss was estimated at US$11 million.[69]

Hurricane Eta brought approximately 20 inches of rain to Belize causing severe flooding in Cayo District and Belize District. The worst effects were felt in Cayo District, where the Macal and Mopan rivers rose more than 8.8 metres (29 ft), inundating communities from Arenal (on the border with Guatemala) to Roaring Creek.[98][99][100][101] Residents in low-lying areas had to be evacuated from their homes.[99][102] Approximately 60,000 people in Belize were affected.[98]

At least 27 people died as heavy rains attributed to Eta caused swelled streams and rivers.[65] Over 80,000 people were affected in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Tabasco by rains of Hurricane Eta and a cold front. In the Chiapas highlands, more than 2000 homes were destroyed. In San Cristóbal de las Casas, many neighborhoods were damaged by the flooding Amarillo and Fogótico rivers. An increase of 1500 m³s⁻¹ in flow at the Peñitas Dam prompted evacuation plans. In Tabasco, more than 10 rivers overflowed their banks.[103]

Eta brushed by the Cayman Islands just as it intensified back into a tropical storm, producing major impacts across the islands with Grand Cayman being hit the hardest. Wave action off the coast caused minor flooding on the coasts. Downed trees and tree branches also resulted. Power outages became widespread across the islands with tropical-storm force winds causing damage to power lines.[104]

Eta bought heavy rainfall in areas already dealing with overflowing rivers.[105] Coastal zones in Cuba were also flooded and about 25,000 people were forced to evacuate.[106]

Tropical Storm Eta making landfall in the Florida Keys early on November 9.

The outer bands of Eta brought tropical storm-force gusts to South Florida beginning on November 7. A peak wind gust of 53 mph was reported in these outer bands near Dania Beach on November 7.[107] Florida Power & Light reported just over 30,000 power outages in the Miami metropolitan area, including nearly 16,000 in Miami-Dade County alone.[108][109] Overall, about 48,500 businesses and homes lost electricity throughout South Florida.[108] Heavy rainfall also impacted the region, with a peak total of 20.74 in (527 mm) in Pembroke Pines, while rain gauges elsewhere in Pembroke Pines and nearby Miramar observed more than 14 in (360 mm) of precipitation.[110] Street flooding occurred in Broward, northern Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties. One person was taken to the hospital in South Florida after being rescued from flooded roads.[108] In Brickell, recently installed storm water pumps to deal with tidal flooding and storms helped clear the flood water from the rain and high tide event.[111] One of the state's largest COVID-19 testing sites, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, was flooded.[112]

On November 11, a sailboat became lodged partially underneath the Matlacha Bridge, causing the bridge to be temporarily closed thus cutting off transportation to and from Pine Island.[113] Around the same area two other boats sank due to turbulent surf caused by the storm and a dock at the Bridgewater Inn floated away.[113] A man died in Bradenton Beach when he was electrocuted by an appliance in standing water caused by the storm and a firefighter was injured as he tried to access the home.[114][115] Flooding in Pinellas County caused 33 people to be rescued by the Pinellas County Sheriff Office from homes and roadways and in Gulfport, five sailboats became unanchored and ran aground or were pushed up against a seawall.[116] An EF0 tornado also ripped the porch off a house in Verna on November 11.[117] Losses statewide were estimated at US$1 billion.[73]

Officially, Eta made two landfalls in Florida - it hit the central part of the Florida Keys late Sunday, November 7, and made landfall again at about 4 a.m. Thursday, November 12, near Cedar Key, roughly 130 miles north of Tampa.[118]

Moisture from Eta combined with a cold front moving eastward across the Eastern United States, generating extremely heavy rainfall across Virginia and the Carolinas. At least eleven [72] people were killed due to flooding in the Carolinas, including a child, while over 33 people were rescued in a flooded campground. In Charlotte, North Carolina, more than 140 people were rescued from a school when floodwaters reached the first-floor windows. In Raleigh, North Carolina, multiple car accidents occurred due to slick roads. All lanes of Interstate 95 near the city were closed due to flooding. Over 10 inches (250 mm) of rain fell in some areas of North and South Carolina.[119]

Initial relief efforts in Nicaragua were stymied by extensive flooding and persistent rainfall. The Nicaraguan Red Cross coordinated distribution of supplies with the nation's government. By November 8, 14,362 people remained in shelters and required hygiene supplies. The Nicaraguan Government provided 88 tons of food to the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region, the hardest hit area.[122] The governments of Japan and Spain pledged to donate relief items.[128][129]

With extensive damage across the country, Honduras's Secretary of Infrastructure and Public Services and Institute for Community Development and Water and Sanitation divided relief operations into three zones. The Government of Honduras allocated US$2 million in funds and formally appealed for international aid on November 5. By November 7, more than 16,000 people had been rescued while 65,912 people remained isolated across 64 communities. The IFRC expressed concern over an increase in post-traumatic stress disorder, similar to what took place after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Access to clean water was significantly disrupted due to high turbidity and power outages, though 60% of service was restored by November 7.[122] Together, Hurricanes Eta and Iota killed around 100 Hondurans, and local analysts estimated the damage would cost the country more than $10 billion (L244.1 billion) in damages.[130]

Though distribution systems in some regions of Honduras collapsed after Hurricane Eta, some of the water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH) have been restored as of June 2021.[131] The economy has slowly began to recover in the months after destruction.[131]

With assistance from CONRED (Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres), the Government of Guatemala focused relief efforts in the departments of Izabal, Petén, and Alta Verapaz.[122] By November 7, Taiwan and the United States collectively provided US$320,000 in funding to Guatemala to purchase food and water.[132] Israeli humanitarian aid agency IsraAID's locally based team arrived in Alta Verapaz, on November 9 and provided psychological first aid, medical support, relief items, hygiene kits, and water filters.[133]