Tropical Storm Erika facts for kids
| Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Tropical Storm Erika over the Leeward Islands on August 27
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| Formed | August 24, 2015 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | August 28, 2015 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 50 mph (85 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 1001 mbar (hPa); 29.56 inHg |
| Fatalities | 31 direct, 4 indirect |
| Damage | $509.1 million (2015 USD) |
| Areas affected | Antilles (particularly Dominica), The Bahamas, Florida |
| Part of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Tropical Storm Erika was a powerful storm that hit in August 2015. It caused a lot of damage and sadly, many people lost their lives. This storm was a type of tropical cyclone, which is a big, spinning storm system.
Erika struck the Leeward Islands on August 27, 2015. The storm caused over USD$500 million in damage. More than 30 people died as Erika moved through the Caribbean.
Why Storm Names Change
Sometimes, a storm is so destructive or deadly that its name is "retired." This means the name will never be used again for another storm. It's done to remember the serious impact of that particular storm.
Because of the big impact Erika had, its name was retired in April 2016. The name "Elsa" was chosen to replace "Erika" for the 2021 hurricane season. Tropical Storm Erika was the second storm name ever to be retired. The first one was Tropical Storm Allison.
Images for kids
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Official forecast positions (top left) and various forecast models for Erika versus its best track positions (black lines).
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The NHC's forecast track for Tropical Storm Erika on August 28, just before it weakened.
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Infrared satellite view of Erika over the Lesser Antilles on August 27.
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Rainfall from Erika's leftover parts across the Southeastern United States.
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Brazil sent medical supplies to Dominica in October 2015 after the storm.
See also
In Spanish: Tormenta tropical Erika para niños
