Image - Screenshot of the web earth.nullschool.net
The Atlantic hurricane season is not over yet. The Hurricane Otto, located in Central America, has forced the evacuation of more than 10.000 people, and has caused the death of three in Panama.
Now it is approaching Costa Rica, with sustained winds of 120km / h.
Formation of Hurricane Otto
Image - NOAA, November 22, 2016.
Otto was formed last Monday, November 21, about 530 km east of Nicaragua. However, it quickly strengthened and on Tuesday 22 became a Category 1 hurricane, with winds with speeds exceeding 120km/h and with a travel speed of 4km / h. That day, from Costa Rica to Panama, the hurricane was closely watched, and the Panamanian cities of Colón and Nargana Island were given a tropical storm warning.
On November 23, it weakened and became a tropical storm again, with winds exceeding 100 km / h. At that time, it was located 300km from Costa Rica and 375km from Bluefields, in Nicaragua. Despite this, the authorities called on the population not to lower their guard: Otto could strengthen himself again before hitting Costa Rica.
Our History
Possible path of Hurricane Otto. Image - Wunderground.com
And that has been what has happened. Otto Category 1 hurricane again with winds of more than 120km / h. For security reasons, preventive alerts have been issued and evacuation plans have been implemented in coastal towns.
This is a situation that is further complicated by not having much experience with hurricanes, and by not having the adequate infrastructures to withstand strong winds. Thus, Costa Rican authorities have evacuated all the residents living in vulnerable towns, even against the will of many of them, before Hurricane Otto reaches the country.
For tomorrow Friday and the weekend, it is expected to weaken.
ADIEX
We leave you with a video recorded in Panama after Otto's passage: