Hurricane Cleo facts for kids

Hurricane Cleo was a very powerful storm, also known as a hurricane, that happened in late August and early September of 1964. It was one of the strongest hurricanes that year.

What Was Hurricane Cleo?

Hurricane Cleo was a major storm that formed in the Atlantic Ocean. It grew very strong, with its winds reaching speeds of 140 miles per hour on August 23, 1964. This made it a very dangerous hurricane.

Cleo's Path and Power

The hurricane traveled across several places. It first hit islands in the Caribbean Sea, including Guadeloupe and Hispaniola. Hispaniola is an island shared by two countries, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Cleo caused a lot of trouble in these areas.

After moving through the Caribbean, Hurricane Cleo continued its journey. It then struck parts of the United States, affecting areas from southeastern Florida all the way up to Virginia.

Impact and Damage

Sadly, Hurricane Cleo caused a lot of harm. In the places it hit, especially in the Caribbean, 214 people lost their lives because of the storm.

The hurricane also caused a lot of damage to buildings, homes, and other property. The total cost of the damage was estimated to be over $198 million. This was a huge amount of money back in 1964.

Why Was the Name Retired?

Because Hurricane Cleo caused so many deaths and so much damage, its name was officially "retired." This means that the name "Cleo" will never be used again for another Atlantic hurricane. This is a special rule for hurricanes that are very deadly or destructive, to remember their serious impact. The name Cleo was retired in the spring of 1965.

Images for kids

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  Cleo's rainfall in the United States