Hurricane Martha (1969) facts for kids
Hurricane Martha on November 21, 1969
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| Formed | November 20 1969 |
| Dissipated | November 251969 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 150 km/h (90 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 979 hPa (mbar); 28.91 inHg |
| Fatalities | 5 direct |
| Damage | $300 million (1969 USD) |
| Areas affected | Caribbean Nicaragua Honduras el selvador |
| Part of the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Martha was a powerful storm that happened in November 1969. It was the very last hurricane of the 1969 Atlantic hurricane season. Martha was a Category 1 hurricane, meaning it had strong winds.
This hurricane was quite unusual because it made landfall in Colombia, which is rare for Atlantic hurricanes. After that, it moved on to hit Nicaragua and Honduras.
Hurricane Martha caused some damage, estimated at about $300 million. Sadly, it also led to the deaths of 5 people.
Hurricane Martha's Journey
Hurricane Martha officially formed on November 20, 1969. It quickly grew stronger as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. The storm reached its peak strength as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of about 80 miles per hour (130 km/h).
Martha first made landfall in Colombia. Then, it continued its path towards Central America. It brought heavy rains and strong winds to Nicaragua and Honduras. The hurricane finally weakened and disappeared by November 25, 1969.
Impacts of the Storm
When Hurricane Martha hit Nicaragua and Honduras, it caused some flooding. However, the damage was not as severe as it could have been for a hurricane. The total cost of the damage was around $300 million. Five people lost their lives because of the storm.
Hurricane Names and Why Martha Wasn't Used Again
After a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is sometimes "retired." This means the name will not be used again for another storm. This is done to honor the victims and to avoid confusion.
Even though Hurricane Martha caused some damage and deaths, its name was not officially retired. However, the name "Martha" has not been used again for an Atlantic hurricane. This is because the lists of hurricane names were changed in the 1970s. So, even without being retired, the name simply stopped being part of the regular rotation.
