Hurricane Paloma facts for kids
| Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Paloma nearing Cuba after reaching peak intensity.
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| Formed | November 5, 2008 |
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| Dissipated | November 10, 2008 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 145 mph (230 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 944 mbar (hPa); 27.88 inHg |
| Fatalities | 1 indirect |
| Damage | $315 million (2008 USD) |
| Areas affected | Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, coastal regions of Honduras and Nicaragua, Florida Panhandle, southern Bahamas |
| Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Paloma was a very strong storm that happened in November 2008. It was the fifth "major hurricane" of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. A major hurricane means it had winds of at least 111 miles per hour (178 km/h). Paloma was also the last big storm of that year.
This hurricane was the second strongest storm ever recorded in November. Only Hurricane Lenny in 1999 was stronger. Hurricane Paloma caused a lot of damage, especially in Cuba, where it cost about $300 million. The Cayman Islands saw about $15 million in damage, and Jamaica had about $100,000 in damage. Luckily, only one person died because of this storm.
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Hurricane Paloma's Journey and Strength
Hurricane Paloma started forming on November 5, 2008. It quickly grew stronger as it moved across the Caribbean Sea. By November 8, it became a very powerful Category 4 hurricane. This means its winds were extremely fast and dangerous.
Paloma hit the Cayman Islands first, causing damage there. Then, it moved towards Cuba. It made landfall, which means it came ashore, in Cuba as a strong hurricane. After hitting Cuba, Paloma weakened and eventually disappeared on November 10, 2008.
Interesting Facts About Paloma
Hurricane Paloma set a special record in 2008. It was the first time that major hurricanes formed in five different months in one Atlantic hurricane season. These months were July, August, September, October, and November. This shows how active the 2008 hurricane season was.
Paloma was also the fourth storm in the Atlantic to start with the letter "P" since 1950. Other "P" storms included Tropical Storm Pablo in 1995, Tropical Storm Peter in 2003, and Hurricane Phillippe in 2005.
Why Hurricane Names Are Retired
When a hurricane causes a lot of damage or deaths, its name is often "retired." This means the name will not be used again for another storm. This is done to remember the serious impact of the storm and to avoid confusion in the future.
In the spring of 2009, the name Paloma was retired because of the significant damage it caused. A new name, Paulette, was chosen to replace it for future hurricane seasons, starting in 2015.
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Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season |
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Images for kids
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Infrared satellite image of Hurricane Paloma at 10:08 UTC on November 8, shortly before peak intensity
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Infrared satellite image of Hurricane Paloma at 11:09 UTC on November 7 as it approached the Cayman Islands
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The NHC's forecast track of Hurricane Paloma and associated watches/warnings at 15:00 UTC on November 8
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Infrared satellite image of the remnants of Paloma over the Florida Panhandle
See also
In Spanish: Huracán Paloma para niños
