In October 2016, Hurricane Matthew made landfall in the Caribbean, causing significant damage and loss of life before moving on to the southeastern United States. The Category 5 storm left a trail of destruction in its wake, causing billions of dollars in damage and resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.
Hurricane Matthew first formed in late September 2016 near the Lesser Antilles, quickly gaining strength as it moved westward across the Caribbean. By October 3, it had reached Category 5 status, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. The storm then began to make its way north, skirting the eastern coast of Cuba and the Bahamas before turning toward the United States.
The first major impact of Hurricane Matthew was felt in Haiti, which was still recovering from the devastating earthquake that struck in 2010. The storm made landfall on October 4, bringing heavy rains and high winds that caused widespread flooding and landslides. More than 500 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The storm also damaged infrastructure and disrupted the country's already fragile economy.
As Hurricane Matthew moved north, it began to affect other countries in the region, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas. While these areas were spared the worst of the storm, they still experienced significant damage and loss of life.
The storm then made landfall in the United States, first hitting the state of Florida on October 6. While the storm had weakened slightly, it still had winds of up to 120 mph, causing extensive damage and power outages. The storm also brought storm surges and heavy rain, resulting in widespread flooding.
Hurricane Matthew then moved up the coast, affecting Georgia and South Carolina before finally dissipating over the Atlantic Ocean. The storm caused significant damage in these states as well, including power outages, flooding, and widespread property damage.
Overall, Hurricane Matthew caused over $10 billion in damage and resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people. The storm served as a stark reminder of the destructive power of hurricanes and the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of such disasters. In the years since, efforts have been made to improve infrastructure and disaster response in affected areas, with the hope of mitigating the impact of future storms