Tropical Storm Agatha (2010) Facts for Kids

Tropical Storm Agatha was a powerful storm that caused a lot of damage in Central America. Even though it was not a very strong storm, it brought very heavy rain. This rain led to severe flooding and dangerous landslides. Agatha was the first storm of the 2010 Eastern Pacific hurricane season. It became the deadliest storm in that region since Hurricane Pauline in 1997. Tropical Storm Agatha caused 190 deaths and about $1.1 billion in damage across countries in Central America.

What Was Tropical Storm Agatha?
- When Did Agatha Happen?
- How Did Agatha Cause Damage?
  - Landslides and Mudslides
  - Impact on Central American Countries
    - Guatemala's Challenges
    - Help and Recovery Efforts
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What Was Tropical Storm Agatha?

Tropical Storm Agatha was a type of weather system called a tropical cyclone. These storms form over warm ocean waters. They bring strong winds and heavy rain. Agatha was not as strong as a hurricane, but it still caused a lot of trouble. It formed in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Central America.

When Did Agatha Happen?

Agatha formed on May 29, 2010. It quickly moved towards the coast. The storm made landfall, meaning it hit the land, on the same day. It crossed the border between Guatemala and Mexico. Agatha then weakened as it moved over land. It disappeared by May 30, 2010. Even though it lasted only a short time, its impact was huge.

How Did Agatha Cause Damage?

The biggest problem with Tropical Storm Agatha was the heavy rainfall. The storm dropped huge amounts of rain over Central America. This led to widespread flooding in many areas. Rivers overflowed their banks. Homes and roads were covered in water.

Landslides and Mudslides

The heavy rain also made the ground very unstable. This caused many landslides and mudslides. A landslide is when a large amount of earth or rock slides down a slope. These slides buried homes and roads. They made it very hard for people to escape or for help to arrive. Many people were trapped or lost their lives because of these landslides.

Impact on Central American Countries

Agatha affected several countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Guatemala was hit the hardest. The storm caused a lot of damage to buildings and farms. It also destroyed important roads and bridges. This made it difficult to deliver food and supplies to people who needed help.

Guatemala's Challenges

Guatemala faced the most severe problems. The capital city, Guatemala City, experienced a huge sinkhole. A sinkhole is a hole in the ground that opens up suddenly. This one was very deep and wide. It swallowed a three-story building and a house. The sinkhole was caused by the heavy rain and poor drainage systems.

Help and Recovery Efforts

After the storm, many groups worked to help the affected people. Soldiers and rescue teams helped to find survivors. They also delivered food, water, and medical supplies. Countries around the world sent aid to help Central America recover. It took a long time for the affected areas to rebuild and get back to normal. The damage from Agatha was a big challenge for these countries.

Images for kids

The remnants of Agatha in the western Caribbean Sea on June 1
Flooding triggered by Agatha in Guatemala
Tropical Storm Agatha making landfall near the Mexico–Guatemala border on May 29
Guatemalan soldiers unloading relief supplies from a Joint Task Force-Bravo UH-60 Blackhawk