At a time when many continue to deny the existence of climate change, countries around the globe are bracing for some of the most frequent natural disasters ever experienced, the likes of which are only going to become more frequent. A mere twelve days after torrential rainfall from Hurricane Eta led to flash flooding and mudslides in Central America, Hurricane Iota, the record breaking 30th named storm of the season, is pummeling towards the coastline following a similar path to its predecessor. This has led to over 140 deaths as well as the obliteration of many low-lying communities.
Iota’s blistering winds ripped some houses off of their foundations and destroyed crucial water services. In addition, the downpour has led to blockages of key roads which limit access to provisions for isolated and indigenous communities. The full extent of the damage is still unknown as strong winds and toppled trees caused widespread electricity outages. Many areas are without internet, thus the damage is likely worse than reported.
Decades ago, meteorologists, fearing the rapid onset of these storms, created a threshold of 56km/h wind speeds. Iota surpassed said threshold by twice the amount. An increased frequency and threat of natural disasters has led to the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of Central Americans to shelters or relatives’ homes. Experts have hypothesized that the sweeping destruction will lead to an uptick of immigration to the United States, as even before Hurricane Iota, the region was already struggling with an economic crisis and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Days afterward, the death toll across Central America reached 40 people and is expected to rise as rescuers make their way to remote towns. Amidst the chaos, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez pleaded for international aid, stating: “We are in a situation of great calamity and we need the world to help us rebuild our country. We in Central America aren’t the ones who caused climate change. But we are among the most affected.”
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Written by: Starla Lancia