Tropical Storm Aletta was a weak but destructive tropical storm that killed 308 people while meandering off the coast of Central America in May 1982. An area of disturbed weather developed into a tropical depression on May 20, and into a tropical storm around noon on May 21. The cyclone turned northeast, reaching its peak as a strong tropical storm on May 23. Aletta meandered and gradually weakened, dissipating a few hundred miles southwest of Acapulco on May 29. Moisture from the tropical system spread over Honduras and Nicaragua, causing flooding. Throughout the two countries, 308 people were killed and total damage was at $466 million. In the aftermath of the storm, many programs provided relief to the victims of Aletta.
Meteorological history
The origins of Aletta are from a tropical disturbance that was first noted on May 18 about 500 mi south-southwest of Acapulco. On May 20, satellite imagery showed evidence of a weak atmospheric circulation. Based on this, the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Moving northwest, the depression became Tropical Storm Aletta 36 hours later over sea surface temperatures. The system re-curved towards the northeast due to strong upper-level westerlies, reaching its peak intensity of 65 mph on May 23. Shortly after its peak, Tropical Storm Aletta began to weaken. However, the tropical cyclone managed to maintain winds of 50 mph for 30 hours before resuming a weakening trend. While the steering currents weakened on May 25, Aletta slowed and moved in a large clockwise loop until May 28. Shortly thereafter, Tropical Storm Aletta was downgraded into a depression. Tropical Depression Aletta dissipated on May 29 roughly 180 mi southwest of Acapulco.
Impact and aftermath
The outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Aletta produced torrential rains and high winds over Central America for several days, and precipitation totals were as high as in some areas with a peak of in Chinandega. A red cross official stated that "Entire families were swept away by and we know nothing about them". Because all sewers in Nicaragua were damaged, the water was contaminated. Ninety percent of the banana crop and 60 percent of the corn crop was completely destroyed. Throughout the country, 108 people were killed,. Roughly 20,000 people were homeless and total damage was estimated at $365 million ; damage to highways, factories, and farms exceeded $100 million. In the northern portion of the country, a mudslide buried three small mountain villages, leaving 270 missing and only 29 survivors. About 15,000 sought to two emergency shelters. Many bridges were damaged. Since the capital city ofLeon was hardest hit, a disaster area was declared for the nearby area. Aletta was considered the worst disaster in the country in three years. Across Honduras, 200 people were killed and 5,000 people were without food or water in just 13 communities. A total of 80,000 people were homeless which were later housed in schools, churches, and health victims. Total damage was placed at $101 million. 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. A second appeal was made shortly afterwards, which proposed for $5.1 million in medicine and other supplies. The red cross and United Nations appealed for $3 million in international relief. The UN granted Nicaragua a month's worth of food supply, but officials feared that this would not be enough. The government of Cuba announced that they would send 12,000 construction workers as well as 2,000 teachers, doctors, and officials to Nicaragua. Canada donated $220,000 via the League of Red Cross Societies. 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. 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.
