In late May 1982, an extended period of heavy rain associated with a long-lived Central American gyre led to disaster. Particularly hard-hit were Honduras and Nicaragua where at least 308 people were killed. Throughout the two countries, 308 people were killed and total damage was at $466 million (1982 USD). In the aftermath of the storm, many programs provided relief to the victims.
| Duration | Late May 1982 |
|---|---|
| Fatalities | 308 dead, 275 missing |
| Damage | At least $466 million (1982 USD) |
| Areas affected | Central America |
Impact and aftermath
Torrential rains fell across Central America for several days,[1][2][3] and precipitation totals were as high as 23.3 in (590 mm) in some areas[4] with a peak of 57.32 in (1,456 mm) in Chinandega.[5] A red cross official stated that "Entire families were swept away by [flood waters] and we know nothing about them". Because all sewers in Nicaragua were damaged, the water was contaminated.[6] Ninety percent of the banana crop and 60 percent of the corn crop was completely destroyed.[1] Throughout the country, 108 people were killed,[3] (10 of which drowned in floodwaters).[4] Roughly 20,000 people were homeless[1] and total damage was estimated at $365 million (1982 USD);[7] damage to highways, factories, and farms exceeded $100 million.[3] In the northern portion of the country, a mudslide buried three small mountain villages, leaving 270 missing and only 29 survivors.[8] About 15,000 sought to two emergency shelters. Many bridges were damaged. Since the capital city of Leon was hardest hit, a disaster area was declared for the nearby area.[4] The floods were considered the worst disaster in the country in three years.[3]
Across Honduras, 200 people were killed[1] and 5,000 people were without food or water in just 13 communities.[6] A total of 80,000 people were homeless[2] which were later housed in schools, churches, and health victims.[9] Total damage was placed at $101 million (1982 USD).[7]
On May 27, the governments of both Honduras and Nicaragua appealed for international aid. Soldiers quickly sent food and medical to at least 50 communities in both countries.[10] A second appeal was made shortly afterwards, which proposed for $5.1 million in medicine and other supplies.[11] The red cross and United Nations (UN) appealed for $3 million in international relief.[12] The UN granted Nicaragua a month's worth of food supply, but officials feared that this would not be enough.[6] The government of Cuba announced that they would send 12,000 construction workers as well as 2,000 teachers, doctors, and officials to Nicaragua.[13] Canada donated $220,000 via the League of Red Cross Societies.[1] To prevent an epidemic of diseases such as typhoid fever, the Health Ministry started a program to give out vaccines which costs $5.1 million.[3] The U.S. Embassy in Managua provided $25,000 in donations. The U.S. Embassy in Honduras attempted to outline a fact-fining mission to assess the damage and provide relief.[14]