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Hurricanes Eta and Iota
Two ferocious hurricanes slammed into Honduras, Nicaragua and other parts of Central America in November 2020.
Learn more about the disasters and how we’re helping.
Hurricane Eta left families reeling after it struck Central America last November. Soon after, Hurricane Iota brought another wave of destruction across the same region.
Initially making landfall as a category 4 hurricane on November 3, slow-moving Eta caused extreme damage in Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and beyond. Its heavy rains and resulting flooding and landslides have torn down homes during a time when families need shelter the most to protect themselves from coronavirus.
Just weeks later, Hurricane Iota followed a similar path. It was the strongest hurricane of 2020, breaking records by being the 30th named storm of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Read on to learn more about Hurricane Eta and Iota and find out how we’re helping in Honduras.
Who was affected by Hurricane Eta and Iota?
Flooding and landslides from Hurricane Eta resulted in cutting off more than 103,000 people across 69 communities.
Over 55,000 people had to evacuate, staying in temporary collective centres in Honduras.
We have been extremely concerned about the potential for coronavirus to spread amongst families who have already survived one devastating storm. These disasters have put more strain on the health and social care systems still struggling to cope with coronavirus.
As if this wasn’t enough, Eta and Iota also came during the region’s rainy season, which often sees spikes in seasonal illnesses such as flu and vector-borne diseases including dengue, zika and chikungunya.
How are we helping?
We are working to help families in Honduras who have lost their homes to Hurricanes Eta and Iota.
Honduras was the worst affected by the hurricanes, with 3 million people affected and at least 55,000 people staying in emergency shelters.
We are working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Honduras and the Rotary Club of San Pedro Sula.
Together, we’re supporting over 3,000 families with shelter kits, mosquito nets, kitchen sets, blankets, water carriers and water filters, solar lights and other essential items.
How many hurricanes have we seen in 2020?
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season has broken records for all the wrong reasons, with a whopping 30 named storms. 13 of them, including Eta and Iota, became hurricanes.
When the regular list of 21 names ended with Tropical Storm Wilfred in September 2020, the Greek alphabet was used.
This is only the second time the Greek alphabet has been used to name storms. The first was during the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, where the last-named storm was Zeta.
Coronavirus: an additional threat
Whilst families are exposed to disasters and conflict, coronavirus continues to spread.
Our shelter saves lives. Please donate today and help vulnerable families who are facing a double threat.
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