Hurricane Maria Facts for Kids

Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria was a severe Atlantic tropical cyclone in September 2017 which ended in early October 2017.

It was the 13th named storm, 8th hurricane, 5th major hurricane, and a 2nd Category 5 hurricane of the hyperactive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.

Maria is regarded as the worst natural disaster in Dominican and Puerto Rican history. It struck Dominica as a Category 5 hurricane, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico as a high-end Category 4 hurricane. Maria was a Category 5 hurricane when she hit Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico.

At her peak, Maria had maximum sustained winds of 175 miles per hour. The storm brushed the Eastern United States.

Tropical storm and hurricane notices were posted from Dominican Republic to the Windward Islands.

The damage from Hurricane Maria was inflicted at $90 billion, especially in Puerto Rico after it made a direct hit and landfall in Puerto Rico as a high-end Category 4 hurricane.

As of August 28, 2018, 3,057 people were estimated to have been killed by the hurricane: 2,975 in Puerto Rico, 65 in Dominica, 5 in the Dominican Republic, 4 in the United States, 3 in Haiti, 2 in Guadeloupe, and 3 in the United States Virgin Islands.

Due to the large number of deaths and amounts of damage it caused especially in Puerto Rico, the name Maria was retired in April 2018 by the World Meteorological Organization, and it was replaced with Margot for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Images for kids

Maria making landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on Dominica on September 19
An aerial view of part of Roseau, revealing widespread damage to roofs. Flash floods clogged roads with debris—vegetative and structural—and mud.
A road in the Roseau area is littered with structural debris, damaged vegetation and downed power poles and lines.
Numerous trees fell across Guadeloupe, clogging roadways with debris.
One of the many vessels salvaged following Hurricane Maria on St. Thomas
High amounts of rain fell on the island of Puerto Rico in less than 48 hours. The map shows estimated totals and exact totals where available.
Thousands of homes suffered varying degrees of damage while large swaths of vegetation were shredded by the hurricane's violent winds.
Map of landslides in Puerto Rico - Hurricane Maria 2017
The US NWS NEXRAD radar in Puerto Rico destroyed by Maria
Infrared satellite loop of Maria passing east of the Dominican Republic on September 21, after leaving Puerto Rico.
A SH-60 Seahawk flies over Dominica en route to deliver humanitarian aid. The mountainous terrain of the island poses serious challenges to relief operations in more remote areas.
Broken windows in Aguas Buenas
Debris-clogged roads added to logistical challenges faced by rescue and relief crews.
Members of the South Carolina National Guard assisting with clean up efforts in Caguas
More than a week after Hurricane Maria struck, residents of Ponce, Puerto Rico wait in long lines at an ATM to withdraw cash.
Mountain melted down by winds and heavy rain in Villalba.

Hurricane Maria facts for kids

Images for kids

See also