Hurricane Mitch

Adapted from: https://waterandhealth.org/newsletter/new/winter-1999/hurricanemitch.html

As hurricane Mitch approached Honduras, Nicaragua and the other nations of Central America in late October 1998, the storm carried winds blowing at 180 miles per hour and gusts estimated at more than 200 miles per hour. When the storm reached these nations, it stalled for 72 hours, dumping torrential and constant rains. The widespread flooding and mudslides wiped out entire villages.

Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, injured, reported missing or left homeless by the wrath of Mitch. As of late December 1998, over 9,000 Central Americans had died as a direct result of the hurricane. Another 9,200 were missing, and 13,000 were injured. Homelessness is rampant; in Honduras alone, officials estimate that 20% of the population was displaced. In total, an estimated $5.4 billion worth of damage was incurred.

Mitch has proven to be the deadliest Atlantic storm in over 200 years, with the death toll expected to rise sharply in the coming mont

Health officials throughout Central America faced outbreaks of disease in the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch. The destruction of drinking water supplies represented the most serious health risk facing the population at large. Many water filtration plants and water transport systems were destroyed as the storm raged through the region. As a result, most residents were forced to obtain their drinking water from unpurified sources, such as muddy rivers and streams. Medical practitioners were concerned that diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, leptospirosis, acute diarrhea and malaria could spread to epidemic proportions.

The contaminated drinking water presented a major public health challenge in this region as a result of the devastation. The risk of an epidemic had risen greatly in Honduras and Nicaragua, countries where cholera is already endemic. As of mid-December, cholera figures began to rise sharply, and hemorrhagic dengue was on the increase throughout Central America. Over 4,800 cases of cholera have been confirmed or suspected, and over 4,000 cases of dengue have been confirmed. In Nicaragua, leptospirosis is an increasing cause of concern, with 612 suspected cases to date.

Massive preventive efforts  to combat the looming threats of potential epidemics were undertaken. Even two months after the height of the storm, tens of thousands of people were still without water, sanitation, power or other municipal services.

Thousands of residents continue to work in sewage-filled fields. Reports of people rinsing themselves, their clothes and their dishes in contaminated streams were rampant. Few residents were aware of the dangers of contaminated water, and fewer still had the resources to do anything about it.

The relief community, governments, industry and private donors mounted a vigorous campaign to assist Central Americans. The U.S. government estimates that its efforts following Hurricane Mitch already have surpassed the entire Berlin Airlift, the massive effort undertaken by Western allies following a Soviet-imposed blockade of Berlin in 1948 - 1949.

Drinking water disinfectants and housing supplies continue to be an essential need of the relief community. The chlorine industry has responded by making a major donation of chlorine-based products, including calcium hypochlorite and vinyl sheeting.