Hurricane Otto facts for kids
| Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Hurricane Otto nearing landfall in southern Nicaragua at peak intensity on November 24
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| Formed | November 21, 2016 |
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| Dissipated | November 26, 2016 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 115 mph (185 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 975 mbar (hPa); 28.79 inHg |
| Fatalities | 23 total |
| Damage | $34 million (2016 USD) (Costa Rica total only) |
| Areas affected | Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua |
| Part of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season and 2016 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Otto was a powerful and unusual storm that happened in November 2016. It was a very special storm because it was the farthest south any hurricane had ever hit land in Central America. Otto also did something very rare: it started in the Atlantic Ocean and then crossed over land to become a storm in the Pacific Ocean! This hadn't happened since 1996.
The storm began forming on November 21, 2016, in the warm waters of the southwest Caribbean Sea. It caused a lot of damage in countries like Costa Rica, southern Nicaragua, and Panama. Sadly, at least 23 people lost their lives because of Hurricane Otto.
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What Was Hurricane Otto?
Hurricane Otto was a strong tropical cyclone, which is a type of powerful swirling storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It reached its strongest point as a Category 3 hurricane, meaning it had very fast winds.
Otto was the seventh hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season. It was also the latest-forming hurricane in the Atlantic since 1851.
How Did Otto Form?
Tropical cyclones like hurricanes need warm ocean water to grow stronger. Otto started as a tropical depression, which is a weaker type of storm. It slowly gained strength in the Caribbean Sea.
The storm moved very slowly at first, which allowed it to gather more energy from the warm waters. This slow movement helped it become a hurricane.
Otto's Path and Strength
Hurricane Otto moved westward across the Caribbean Sea. On November 24, 2016, it made landfall in southern Nicaragua. This means the center of the storm moved over land.
When it hit Nicaragua, Otto was a strong Category 3 hurricane. It had winds of about 120 miles per hour (195 km/h).
An Unusual Journey: Atlantic to Pacific
What made Hurricane Otto truly unique was its journey. After hitting Nicaragua, it continued moving westward across Central America. Most Atlantic hurricanes weaken quickly over land.
However, Otto managed to stay strong and even kept its eye, which is the calm center of a hurricane. It then emerged into the Pacific Ocean as a tropical storm. This was a very rare event, showing how powerful and resilient Otto was.
Impact on Central America
Hurricane Otto caused significant damage in several Central American countries. The storm brought heavy rains, strong winds, and dangerous flooding.
Impact in Nicaragua
Nicaragua was hit directly by Hurricane Otto. The strong winds and heavy rainfall caused widespread damage to homes, roads, and farms. Many people had to leave their homes to find safety.
Impact in Costa Rica
Costa Rica also experienced severe effects from Otto, even though the storm's eye didn't pass directly over it. The heavy rains led to major flooding and landslides, especially in the northern parts of the country.
Roads were blocked, and some communities were cut off. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage in Costa Rica alone.
Impact in Panama
Before making landfall, Otto also affected Panama. There were heavy rains and some flooding, leading to disruptions and safety concerns for residents.
Aftermath and Recovery
After the storm passed, rescue teams worked hard to help those affected. They cleared debris, restored power, and provided aid to communities. The recovery process took a long time in the affected areas.
Hurricane Otto is remembered as a powerful and unusual storm. Its rare journey from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean makes it a notable event in hurricane history.
Images for kids
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A series of microwave satellite images depicting the inner structure of Hurricane Otto as it traversed Central America. Note that despite crossing land, its eye remained largely intact.
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Tropical Storm Otto intensifying to the north of Panama on November 22
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Infrared satellite loop of Hurricane Otto making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Nicaragua on November 24
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Otto para niños
