In terms of hurricane history the modern era is defined from 1950 to present. Since then technology has advanced greatly. Indeed, the 1960's saw weather satellites that could detect potential storms developing and estimate winds, the 1970's saw the modern computer models used, the 1980's saw infrared satellites and more advanced models. Since then technology continues to advance.

However, even with advanced technology since 1950 there have been some very deadly hurricanes that have killed thousands when they made landfall. Hurricane Mitch killed 16,000 in 1998, Fifi, killed 8,200 in 1974, Flora killed 7,200 in 1963, Maria 3,100 in 2017, Jeannie 3,100 from 2004, David, 2,068, from 1979, Hazel, 1,193 from 1954, and Inez, 1,100 from 1966. Today I'm going to be focusing on Hurricane Fifi which as you can see was one of the deadliest hurricanes in the modern era.

The origins of Hurricane Fifi can be traced to a tropical wave (low) that moved off the coast of Africa around September the 10th. Due to the wind shear the wave did not develop. On September the 13th the wave entered the Eastern Caribbean and started to produce more thunderstorms. Satellite data estimated winds at 30 mph, but the National Hurricane Center determined that the storm lacked a closed surface low. However, on September the 14th the Hurricane Center determined the low had closed off and the winds had increased to 35 mph. Thus, it was declared a tropical depression.

The Hurricane Center looked at charts and models and started to note that the depression would likely strengthen to a tropical storm and a hurricane in the Western Caribbean. Originally it was believed the depression became a tropical storm on the 16th. However, in post season analysis based on satellite data the depression became a tropical storm on the evening of the 15th. It was given the name Fifi.

On September the 17th now on the verge of entering the western Caribbean Fifi started to rapidly deepen. Winds increased from 50 mph to 70 mph. Late that night Tropical Storm Fifi had become a category 1 hurricane with winds up to 75 mph. High Pressure to the North turned Fifi southward and caused it to speed up. In the mean time Fifi continued to strengthen becoming a high end category 1 hurricane with winds up to 90 mph.

On September the 18th Fifi reached its peak with winds up to 110 mph and a pressure of 971 millibars. This made Fifi a high end category 2 hurricane. Further strengthening was inhibited due to Fifi being very close to Honduras. After picking up speed Fifi begin to slow down again moving less than 10 mph. Late September 19th or September 20th. Fifi made landfall in Honduras as a category 2 hurricane with winds 105-110 mph. Fifi's large size and slow movement set up a disaster.

For several hours Fifi pounded Honduras with 100 mph winds, a dangerous storm surge and flooding rains. As Fifi moved over Honduras it caused mudslides in the mountain part of the country. Some locations saw up to 4 feet of rainfall. Fif's large size also saw flooding in Belize where 12-18 inches of rain was reported. In Northeastern Nicaragua rainfall up to 14 inches was reported as well.

In Honduras several towns and villages where wiped out or buried under the mud. Rivers flooded cutting off towns. The large cities where flooded with rainfall. A lot of buildings in Honduras could not stand up to the 100 mph plus winds as several building collapses where reported crushing people to death. At that time the Honduras government called this the worst disaster to hit the country. The USA and other countries tried to send aid to Honduras but aid had to wait several weeks for the water to drain out of the remaining cities.

Overall, Fifi killed 8,000 people in Honduras alone. Another 210 people died in Belize and Nicaragua from flooding rains. The official death toll is listed at 8,210. In addition, in Honduras $1.80 Billion dollars of damage was done with another $200 million being done in Belize and Nicaragua. The total damage was $1.82 Billion dollars.

24 years later in 1998 another Hurricane would make landfall in Honduras producing similar results. In 1998 Mitch killed 16,000 people with 12,000 of those in Honduras. Mitch's slow movement produced 4-5 feet of rain. As a Meteorologist its easy to see why these two hurricanes killed so many. First, both Fifi and Mitch where slow moving hurricanes. They pounded Honduras with heavy rainfall for several hours before they came ashore. Second, both hurricanes where large meaning they had lots of moisture. No offense to Honduras, but their infrastructure is not sturdy as they are a developing country. The infrastructure was not match for the two hurricanes. Also, Honduras has lots of hills and mountains. Flooding rains can cause mudslides with a lot of the cities setting at the bottom of these hills/mountains.

In conclusion, Fifi is the second deadliest hurricane in the Modern era 1950 to present. Due to reasons I mentioned above it is easy to see why this hurricane was able to kill so many. Fifi also set Honduras back economically as it nearly took 10 years for the country to get back to where it was before Fifi came ashore. Therefore, Fifi was a historic hurricane due to its high death toll, and economic losses. Due to the destruction and high death toll the name Fifi was retired from the naming lists the following year.

I can't believe there actually was a hurricane called Fifi

classgame: Yes there was two hurricane Fifi's. Fifi was used for a hurricane in 1958, but that hurricane Fifi stayed out to sea and did not impact anybody. This Fifi was very deadly and would be the last time the name was used.