Hurricane Earl facts for kids

Hurricane Earl was a powerful tropical cyclone that formed in the Caribbean Sea in August 2016. It later moved into the Gulf of Mexico. This storm brought strong winds and heavy rain to countries like Belize and Mexico.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a type of powerful storm that forms over warm ocean waters. Scientists call these storms "tropical cyclones." They have strong winds that spin around a calm center called an "eye." Hurricanes are given names to help people track them and remember them.

How Hurricane Earl Formed and Grew

Hurricane Earl started as a tropical wave, which is like a disturbance in the atmosphere. This wave moved across the Atlantic Ocean. As it passed over the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, it gathered energy. The storm quickly grew stronger, becoming a tropical depression, then a tropical storm, and finally a hurricane.

Earl's Path and Landfall

Hurricane Earl first brought heavy rains to the Dominican Republic. After that, it moved westward. The storm then made landfall (meaning it hit land) in Belize. When it struck Belize, its winds were about 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour). This made it a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.

After hitting Belize, Earl moved over land and weakened. It then entered the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the warm waters there, it gained strength again before making another landfall in Mexico.

Impact and Damage Caused by Earl

Hurricane Earl caused significant damage and sadly, many deaths.

• In the Dominican Republic, the storm caused 13 deaths.
• In Mexico, more than 50 other deaths occurred, mostly due to mudslides and floods caused by the heavy rain.
• The strong winds and heavy rainfall from Earl led to widespread flooding. Homes, roads, and farms were damaged.
• The total cost of the damage from Hurricane Earl was estimated to be over $115 million. This money was needed to repair buildings, roads, and other things destroyed by the storm.

Staying Safe During a Hurricane

Hurricanes are dangerous, but there are ways to stay safe. Weather forecasters track these storms very carefully. They issue warnings to tell people when a hurricane is coming. It's important to listen to these warnings. Sometimes, people need to evacuate, which means leaving their homes to go to a safer place. Preparing for a hurricane can help keep people and their families safe.

See also

In Spanish: Huracán Earl para niños