Hurricane Odile Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Hurricane Odile
Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Odile as a Category 4 hurricane on September 14, 2014
Formed	September 10, 2014
Dissipated	September 19, 2014
(Remnant low after September 18)



Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure	918 mbar (hPa); 27.11 inHg



Fatalities	11 direct, 4 indirect
Damage	$1.22 billion (2014ƒ USD)
Areas affected	Mexico, Southwestern United States, Texas

Part of the 2014 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Odile was a very strong tropical storm, also known as a hurricane, that hit Mexico in September 2014. It caused a lot of damage, especially in the state of Baja California Sur. Many luxury hotels and resorts in places like Cabo San Lucas were badly affected.

What Was Hurricane Odile?
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What Was Hurricane Odile?

Hurricane Odile was a powerful storm that formed in the Pacific Ocean. It became a major hurricane in mid-September 2014. A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone with very strong winds and heavy rain. These storms get their energy from warm ocean waters.

Odile's Journey and Strength

Odile started as a tropical storm and quickly grew stronger. On September 15, 2014, it made landfall in Baja California Sur, a state in Mexico. When it hit land, Odile had wind speeds of about 140 miles per hour. This made it a very dangerous Category 4 hurricane.

How Strong Was Odile?

At its strongest, Hurricane Odile was a Category 4 storm on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. This means its winds were very fast and could cause extreme damage. The storm's lowest pressure was 918 millibars, which also shows how intense it was.

Impact and Damage in Mexico

Hurricane Odile caused widespread damage, especially in the popular tourist areas of Baja California Sur. Many buildings, including parts of several hotels, collapsed. About 135 people were injured during the storm. Sadly, 15 people lost their lives because of Odile.

Damage to Buildings and Infrastructure

The storm's strong winds and heavy rains damaged many homes and businesses. Roads were blocked, and power lines were knocked down, leaving many areas without electricity. The total cost of the damage from Odile was estimated to be about $1.22 billion in 2014 US dollars.

Areas Affected by Odile

The main area affected was the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. After hitting Mexico, the storm's leftover moisture also brought heavy rains to parts of the Southwestern United States, including Arizona and New Mexico, and even Texas.

Why Hurricane Names Are Retired

The name Odile was later retired because of the severe damage and loss of life it caused. When a hurricane causes a lot of destruction, its name is removed from the list of names used for future storms. This is done to avoid using a name that brings back bad memories.

New Name for Future Storms

After Odile was retired, a new name, Odalys, was chosen to replace it. This new name will be used for the 2020 Pacific hurricane season and beyond, following the regular naming cycle.