Hurricane Bertha (1996) Facts for Kids

Hurricane Bertha was a powerful storm that happened in July 1996. It was a type of storm called a hurricane. Bertha hit islands in the northeastern Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the eastern United States. The storm caused a lot of damage, about $335 million worth. Sadly, it also led to the deaths of nearly a dozen people. When Bertha hit eastern North Carolina on July 12, 1996, its winds were very strong, reaching 105 miles per hour. Even with all this damage, the name Bertha was not removed from the list of hurricane names.

What is a Hurricane?
Bertha's Path
How Strong Was Hurricane Bertha?
The Impact of the Storm
Why Bertha's Name Was Not Retired
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What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge, spinning storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It is a type of tropical cyclone. These storms have very strong winds and bring heavy rain. Hurricanes are given names to help people track them. They can cause a lot of damage when they reach land.

Bertha's Path

Hurricane Bertha started far out in the Atlantic Ocean. It grew stronger as it moved west. Bertha first affected islands in the northeastern Caribbean. These included places like Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guadeloupe. The storm then moved towards Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

After passing the Caribbean, Bertha turned north. It headed towards the eastern coast of the United States. The hurricane made landfall in eastern North Carolina. This happened on July 12, 1996.

How Strong Was Hurricane Bertha?

When Hurricane Bertha hit eastern North Carolina, its winds were very powerful. They reached speeds of 105 miles per hour. This made Bertha a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. A Category 2 hurricane has winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour. These strong winds can cause significant damage to homes and trees.

The Impact of the Storm

Hurricane Bertha caused a lot of problems in the areas it hit. In total, the storm led to about $335 million in damage. This money was needed to fix buildings, roads, and other things. Sadly, nearly a dozen people lost their lives because of the hurricane. The heavy rains also caused flooding in many places.

Why Bertha's Name Was Not Retired

Sometimes, if a hurricane causes extreme damage or many deaths, its name is "retired." This means the name will never be used again for another storm. This is done to honor the victims and to avoid confusion. For example, Hurricane Katrina's name was retired.

Even though Hurricane Bertha caused a lot of damage and some deaths, its name was not retired. The decision to retire a name is made by a special committee. They decided that Bertha's impact, while serious, did not meet the criteria for retirement. So, the name Bertha can still be used for future storms.