[16], At 15:00 UTC on November 6, the Government of the Cayman Islands issued a hurricane watch for all of the territory's islands. The Government of the Cayman Islands and the Adventist Disaster Response Agency distributed basic relief items such as tarpaulins, hygiene items and buckets to victims of the storm. [32], Early on November 8, a tropical storm watch and later tropical storm warning was issued for the Central Bahamas,[1] including Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Ragged Island. Upon moving ashore, Paloma was estimated to have had winds of 100 mph (155 km/h), making it a Category 2 hurricane. The next day, Paloma intensified into a Category 2 hurricane, then soon afterward into a Category 3 major hurricane. [1] Around this time the storm's center passed over Cayman Brac and Little Cayman shortly thereafter. Overall, the total damage from Paloma stands at $454.5 million, with one fatality. [46], In Santa Cruz del Sur where Paloma came ashore, 435 homes were torn to shreds. [1] Shortly before crossing the coastline, convection suddenly and explosively developed, contributing to a swath of heavy rains. [20], Anticipating hurricane conditions to impact portions of eastern Cuba, the nation's government issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Granma, Las Tunas, and Sancti Spíritus at 12:00 UTC on November 7. Throughout the Cayman Islands, Paloma was responsible for $154.4 million in losses of which $124.5 million was incurred from damage. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, 2015, and ended on November 30, 2015. As a precautionary measure, water service was turned off during the evening on November 8. [18] Shelters opened on Grand Cayman closed their doors by mid-afternoon in advance of Paloma's arrival to "ensure that persons get off the roads." One person drowned in Clarendon Parish while crossing a flooded river. After crossing western Cuba early on November 13, the remnants of Paloma entered the Gulf of Mexico. [36] Estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellites indicated that Paloma dropped upwards of 8 in (200 mm) of rain along coastal areas. per hour and huge waves that travelled 1.5 km inland. [1], Fearing a "potentially catastrophic" storm with a storm surge of 20 to 25 ft (6.1 to 7.6 m), officials in Cuba scrambled to evacuate nearly half a million people in southern areas of the country. Two of the two-story concrete walls of a factory crumbled into piles of rubble, smashing 57 wooden fishing boats stored inside for safekeeping. The torrential rains marked the highest rainfall for November 14 in the state of Florida. On November 8, 2008, Hurricane Paloma ballooned into an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 230 kilometers per hour (145 miles per hour) and stronger gusts. Schools, businesses, and government offices closed for November 8. Hurricane Paloma was the seventeenth tropical cyclone, sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. At least seven people were killed in the country. Once its eye became defined on visible satellite imagery that evening, rapid strengthening ensued once more. At least 166 deaths have been blamed on Ike, of which 82 were in the United States. Other tropical cyclones that did not affect land were Hurricane Cindy, Tropical Storm Emily, and Tropical Depression Twelve. [5] The system acquired gale-force winds early on November 6, at which time it was assigned the name Paloma. The name Paloma will never again be used for another Atlantic hurricane. 1, "Strengthening Hurricane Paloma threatens Caymans", "Hurricane Paloma lashes Caymans as it moves toward Cuba", "Los vientos huracanados del ciclón 'Paloma' azotan el sureste de Cuba", "Cuba: Retorna la provincia de Holguín a la normalidad", "Cuba: Retornan a sus hogares evacuados de Granma", "Cuba: Situation Report No. Two of the two-story concrete walls of a factory crumbled into piles of rubble, smashing 57 wooden fishing boats stored inside for safekeeping. Favorable environmental conditions, including low wind shear, allowed for steady intensification following cyclogenesis. 2008 8th November - Hurricane Paloma hit Cayman Brac and Little Cayman with 140 mph winds resulting in extensive property damage, some injuries, but no deaths. The low then briefly moved over the Atlantic Ocean before doubling back to the southwest in response to a building ridge farther north. [14] Additionally, this marked the first time that major hurricanes developed in five separate months during a single year, with Bertha, Gustav, Ike, and Omar reaching this strength in July, August, September, and October respectively. [3] Steadily consolidating, the system developed into a tropical depression by 18:00 UTC on November 5 while located 130 mi (215 km) southeast of the Nicaragua/Honduras border. [43] Total damage from hurricanes that year amounted to $9.4 billion. [17] Schools, businesses, and government offices closed for November 8. [1] Aided by good upper-level outflow, deep convection blossomed over the storm's circulation. A significant storm surge also impacted the islands, reaching 8 ft (2.4 m) on Cayman Brac and 4 ft (1.2 m) on Little Cayman. It meandered slowly for a week and caused no impact on land. Early on November 8, Paloma continued to intensify and reached Category 4 intensity, and then weakened rapidly into a Category 2 hurricane before making landfall in Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba. [17] Schools, businesses, and government offices closed for November 8. The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season is tied with 1887, 2010, 2011, and 2012 for the fourth-most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, with 19 tropical storms. [13] The Cayman Islands Government requested all hotels to move guests on ground and first floors to higher rooms. On November 7, the Red Crossopened a shelter for possible evacuees while stocks of emergency supplies were checked. [11] Rapid intensification continued through the first half of the day with Paloma reaching Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) around 10:30 UTC, [12] the first such November system since Hurricane Michelle in 2001. Claudette developed offshore of the Southeastern United States and brushed Bermuda and the Azores. This later expired on November 6 as Paloma moved away from the region. Tropical Depression One was a weak tropical cyclone that struck Cuba and the Bahamas in May and June 1993. Preceded by Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike, Paloma compounded damage sustained by the nation. Katrina quickly weakened to a tropical storm, before emerging into the Atlantic Ocean hours later. [1] On November 7, the Red Cross opened a shelter for possible evacuees while stocks of emergency supplies were checked. Hurricane Noel was a deadly and very damaging tropical cyclone that carved a path of destruction across the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea to Newfoundland in late October 2007. Damage from Ike is guessed at $31.5 billion (2008 USD), the third most damaging hurricane in U.S. history, behind Katrina in 2005 and Andrew in 1992. The season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic basin. With no convection redeveloping as the system drifted northward over Cuba, Paloma degenerated into a remnant low six hours later. [22] Plans were put in place to evacuate 345,000 in Holguín, 324,000 in Granma, 250,000 people in Las Tunas, and 200,000 in Camagüey. [39] [40] Severe flooding also destroyed crops in 100 farms, causing over $100,000 in damages. Accordingly, the National Emergency Operations Centre was partially activated. About 7,000 farmers and 4,700 residences were isolated by floodwaters. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 15 near Bermuda and caused minor effects in Canada while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. In its early developmental stages, the depression meandered over Nicaragua, later paralleling the Mosquito Coast before intensifying into tropical storm intensity on November 1; Michelle was upgraded to hurricane strength the following day. While the overall impact to the islands was offset by a lack of damage on Grand Cayman, the localized losses on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman were tremendous. [22] Former President Fidel Castro urged people to remain positive in the face of yet another hurricane that year. [20], Anticipating hurricane conditions to impact portions of eastern Cuba, the nation's government issued a hurricane watch for the provinces of Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Granma, Las Tunas, and Sancti Spíritus at 12:00 UTC on November 7. The first tropical cyclone, Tropical Storm Alex, developed on July 27, and the season's final storm, Hurricane Nicole, became extratropical on December 1. Roughly 400 power poles fell during the storm. 2008 8th November - Hurricane Paloma hit Cayman Brac and Little Cayman with 140 mph winds resulting in extensive property damage, some injuries, but no deaths. Debby made three landfalls on August 22, in Barbuda, Saint Barthélemy, and Virgin Gorda, before re-entering the Atlantic north of Puerto Rico. [28] The non-profit organization Operation USA provided emergency aid to Cuba. Many homes and businesses severely damaged. [47] An estimated 328 hectares of crops were destroyed by the storm, most of which were in the process of recovery following Hurricane Ike. [21] Coincidentally, Paloma threatened the same area where a devastating hurricane in 1932 killed more than 3,000 people almost exactly 76 years prior. At roughly the same time, the hurricane began to accelerate northeastward; this brought the intense hurricane to a Cuban landfall within the Bay of Pigs later that day. Shelters opened on Grand Cayman closed … Another landfall occurred in Cuba early the next day to the south of Güines. [1] By November 2, a surface trough manifested itself, spurring the development of scattered convection — shower and thunderstorm activity — across the region. [36] Estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellites indicated that Paloma dropped upwards of 8 in (200 mm) of rain along coastal areas. In November of 2008, Hurricane Paloma made landfall in Cuba and caused an additional $300 million in damage to the island. It dissipated later that evening. Crashing waves and a powerful sea surge from Hurricane Paloma destroyed hundreds of homes along Cuba's southern coast, but the storm rapidly weakened into a … A late-season hurricane, it set several records for its intensity and formation. The system then accelerated northeastward and crossed the Bahamas late on November 6. The name Paloma will never again be used for another Atlantic hurricane. [45] Paloma did, however knock down power and telephone lines, as well as a major communications tower. [39][40] Severe flooding also destroyed crops in 100 farms, causing over $100,000 in damages. More than $10 billion in damage and 8 deaths occurred there. Hurricane Omar, Oct. 15th Situated along the southwestern edge of a ridge, the depressed initially generally to the north-northwest before turning north-northeast within 12 hours of formation. [11] Rapid intensification continued through the first half of the day with Paloma reaching Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) around 10:30 UTC,[12] the first such November system since Hurricane Michelle in 2001. [nb 1] Strain on the economy prompted inflation to rise slightly above 5.2 percent for the year as well. The overall per capita impact there reached $57,925. [1] This ranked the system as the third-strongest November hurricane on record, only behind the 1932 Santa Cruz del Sur hurricane and Hurricane Lenny in 1999. Favorable conditions allowed the depression to become Tropical Storm Debby early on August 20, and further strengthening into a hurricane occurred 24 hours later. Hurricane Paloma was the sixth most intense November Atlantic hurricane on record. [nb 1] Strain on the economy prompted inflation to rise slightly above 5.2 percent for the year as well. Paloma developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Nicaragua and northern coast of Honduras on November 5. The warning was eventually discontinued early on November 9 once Paloma cleared the islands. [32], Early on November 8, a tropical storm watch and later tropical storm warning was issued for the Central Bahamas, [1] including Cat Island, Exuma, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Ragged Island. The storm tracked westward and weakened further, instead of approaching Florida and strengthening into a major hurricane. Telecommunications experienced similar damage, with landline services disrupted for two to three weeks. Dennis was the fourth named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the season. However, the precursor of the latter caused a severe flood in Puerto Rico that killed 180 people. During the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season there was a total of sixteen named storms: 16 tropical storms, 8 hurricanes and 5 major hurricanes. Perez was a toddler when she watched as her mother, older sister and about 40 other relatives were swept away in a storm surge during a 1932 hurricane that killed about 3,000 people. Forming in July, the hurricane became the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever to form before August at the time, a title it held for only six days before being surpassed by Hurricane Emily. Camagüey province, was hit by a category five hurricane which left a death toll of over 3,000 people. [35] The outer bands of then Tropical Storm Paloma exacerbated the situation in parts of Honduras and Nicaragua. [1] The HWRF and GFDL forecast models depicted rapid development of the tropical depression into a Category 3 major hurricane within five days, before striking Cuba,[4] the former of which indicated a peak intensity of 131 mph (211 km/h) and 921 mbar (hPa; 27.20 inHg). [15] The system subsequently degraded to a tropical depression by 18:00 UTC, just 24 hours after being a Category 4 hurricane. [41] In St. Catherine, several inches of rain caused flooding in Bog Walk Gorge which inundated several homes and stranded at least 15 people. [1] The HWRF and GFDL forecast models depicted rapid development of the tropical depression into a Category 3 major hurricane within five days, before striking Cuba, [4] the former of which indicated a peak intensity of 131 mph (211 km/h) and 921  mbar (hPa; 27.20  inHg). [21] Coincidentally, Paloma threatened the same area where a devastating hurricane in 1932 killed more than 3,000 people almost exactly 76 years prior. The disturbance had slowly developed into a tropical depression while hugging the coastline. The hurricane later transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over The Bahamas on November 5, before being absorbed by a cold front the following day. [1] The aforementioned trough imparted a slightly more northeasterly track on the hurricane. [47] An estimated 328 hectares of crops were destroyed by the storm, most of which were in the process of recovery following Hurricane Ike. Grand Cayman escaped almost entirely unscathed. The sea swept more than a mile inland. A total of 927 food processing centers and 72 soup kitchens opened to feed evacuees. With no convection redeveloping as the system drifted northward over Cuba, Paloma degenerated into a remnant low six hours later. NO DEATHS [27] He also issued a written statement to the United States rejecting any aid, citing anger toward the ongoing embargo of Cuba, before a formal offer was even made. Its formation was unusual, originating from a tropical disturbance that crossed from the eastern Pacific Ocean into the Caribbean Sea; few Atlantic hurricanes develop in this manner. It formed in the western Caribbean Sea on May 31 and produced heavy rainfall along its path. Discounting the economy of Grand Cayman, the equivalent GDP losses on the two smaller islands was likely similar to that of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which left damage equal to 183 percent of the territory's GDP. [2] A tropical wave approaching from the east interacted with this trough two days later and enhanced convective organization. Shortly after, rapid intensification ensued within favorable conditions, with the storm's central barometric pressure dropping 51 mbar in 29 hours. A tropical depression formed in the Caribbean Sea near Jamaica on October 15, headed westward, and intensified into a tropical storm two days later, which abruptly turned southward and was named Wilma. [14] Additionally, this marked the first time that major hurricanes developed in five separate months during a single year, with Bertha, Gustav, Ike, and Omar reaching this strength in July, August, September, and October respectively. Bodden Town was the only district on Grand Cayman reporting damage, with 11 homes affected. Major damage took place at Cayman Brac's seaport. ... Pictured: Arisleyda Perez, 35, sits amidst the rubble of houses destroyed by Hurricane Paloma, November 12, 2008 in Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba. [37] The overall impacts of flooding since October in Honduras left at least 60 people dead and more than 300,000 in need of assistance. The sea swept more than a mile inland. At its peak, Paloma displayed a well-defined eye surrounded by intense convection estimated at −70 to −80 °C (−94 to −112 °F). [27] He also issued a written statement to the United States rejecting any aid, citing anger toward the ongoing embargo of Cuba, before a formal offer was even made. Several storms caused only minor damage, including tropical storms Bonnie, Earl, Hermine, and Matthew. Cuba also received extensive impacts from Gustav, Ike, and Paloma, with Gustav and Ike making landfall in the country at major hurricane intensity and Paloma being a Category 2 when striking the nation. Precipitation on Cayman Brac amounted to 17.77 in (451 mm) and 6.05 in (154 mm) on Grand Cayman. [21] Ultimately, an approximate 1.2 million people, 10.7% of Cuba's entire population, were relocated in advance of the storm's arrival. [1] Within hours of moving ashore, the center of circulation decoupled from the remaining convection and its forward speed slowed significantly. The 2004 Atlantic hurricane season was a very deadly, destructive, and extremely active Atlantic hurricane season, with over 3,200 deaths and more than $61 billion in damage. It was the sixteenth tropical storm, eighth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.A late season hurricane, it set several records for its intensity and formation. This was superseded six hours later by a hurricane warning. Situated along the southwestern edge of a ridge, the depressed initially generally to the north-northwest before turning north-northeast within 12 hours of formation. [21] [23] [24] An estimated 3,000 tourists in Ciego de Avila were brought to shelters. [1], Destructive winds were the primary cause of damage across Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, where nearly all homes were affected. Forecasters said the Cuban and Bahamian governments discontinued all warnings associated with Paloma. [1] Owing to the threat of heavy rains in Honduras, a red alert was issued for Colón, Gracias a Dios, northern Olancho, and the Bay Islands. The September 1948 Florida hurricane was the most intense tropical cyclone to make landfall in the state since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Although all home on Little Cayman were affected, none experienced major damage. Hurricane Katrina was a late-forming tropical cyclone that impacted portions of the Greater Antilles and Bahamas in November 1981. Additionally, Iota is this year's 13th hurricane, making 2020 the year with the second-highest number of hurricanes ever. Part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which included three of the ten most intense Atlantic hurricanes ever, Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, fourth Category 5 hurricane, and the second-most destructive hurricane of the 2005 season. [25] Holguín Province was devastated by Hurricane Ike in September with many residents still homeless at the time of Paloma's approach. [13], The electrical grid sustained major damage, with all residents on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman losing service. [16] Flood waters south of Tallahassee reached 2 feet (0.61 m) in places, stranding vehicles. It produced twelve tropical cyclones, eleven named storms, four hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. [30], Although Paloma was not forecast to directly impact Jamaica, officials opened 15 priority shelters in St. James and all agencies were placed under high-alert on November 8. The 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had 6 U.S. landfalling hurricanes, tied with 1886 and 2020 for the highest number on record. Also in Jamaica the damage totaled to only $100,000. It brushed the Carolinas and the Mid-Atlantic, causing one death and $7.5 million (2004 USD) in damage. [1] The aforementioned trough imparted a slightly more northeasterly track on the hurricane. Hurricane Michelle was the fifth costliest tropical cyclone in Cuban history and strongest of the 2001 Atlantic hurricane season. [50], Local groups in the Cayman Islands set up funds following Hurricane Paloma. No storm-related deaths were immediately reported. Accordingly, the National Emergency Operations Centre was partially activated. Hurricane Paloma was well-formed, with distinctive spirals and a clear eye on November 7, 2008, when the GOES satellite captured this image. Grand Cayman saw lesser winds, with a peak sustained observation of 60 mph (97 km/h) at Owen Roberts International Airport. [1] On November 7, the Red Cross opened a shelter for possible evacuees while stocks of emergency supplies were checked. [48] Overall damages in Cuba totaled to $300 million. It was also the last storm of 2008. The port's warehouse and office building were destroyed while anchors and moorings were shifted out of position. Paloma made landfall near Santa Cruz del Sur late Saturday as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane but quickly lost strength, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. [13], Already severely impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid department was already providing €2 million (US$2.7 million) in relief aid. A total of 8,000 homes in Santa Cruz were damaged and another 670 in Camaguey and Las Tunas. Numerous vehicles were washed away in the floods. Paloma weakened into a tropical storm on November 9 while moving over Cuba, where it stalled out. [13], Destructive winds and torrential rains battered both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, with an unofficial elevated observation station reporting maximum sustained winds of 151 mph (243 km/h) during the height of the storm. The island's fire station and Faith Hospital had major roof damage, with the latter resulting in significant water damage to equipment. Rainfall was also reported in southern Florida, which eased drought conditions. [13], Between November 18 and December 13, 675 tons of debris was collected which covered an area of 21 acres by 12 ft (3.7 m) tall. The first cyclone, Tropical Depression One, developed in the southern Gulf of Mexico on June 7 and dissipated after an uneventful duration. Total revenue fell by $11.6 million while expenditures rose by $28.2 million. Favorable environmental conditions, including low wind shear, allowed for steady intensification following cyclogenesis. The roof of the Seaman's Center, later determined to have been inadequately built, collapsed during the storm and nearly injured people sheltering within it. Precipitation on Cayman Brac amounted to 17.77 in (451 mm) and 6.05 in (154 mm) on Grand Cayman. Deaths: 21 Damage: $42 million. These advisories were discontinued following Paloma's rapid dissipation over land on November 9. Cayman Brac sustained the most severe impact, with 71 homes destroyed and 912 damaged. Due to the development of a Modoki El Niño – a rare type of El Niño in which unfavorable conditions are produced over the eastern Pacific instead of the Atlantic basin due to warmer sea surface temperatures farther west along the equatorial Pacific – activity was above average. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ( MODIS ) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured the top image of the storm at 1:35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, while the Category 4 storm was still … Early the next day, the system strengthened into a hurricane while moving westward passing close to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Hurricane Paloma was the third-strongest November Atlantic hurricane on record. [28] The non-profit organization Operation USA provided emergency aid to Cuba. Although all home on Little Cayman were affected, none experienced major damage. A significant storm surge also impacted the islands, reaching 8 ft (2.4 m) on Cayman Brac and 4 ft (1.2 m) on Little Cayman. [13], Flooding was reported in parts of Jamaica as a result of the outer bands of Paloma. [1] Later on November 14, the system moved inland over the Florida Panhandle where a sudden burst of convective development, akin to that of supercell thunderstorms over the Great Plains, took place. Of these people, 220,000 sought refuge in 1,448 shelters while the rest stayed with relatives. [38], Passing directly over the small islands Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, with a collective population of 2,695, Hurricane Paloma wrought tremendous damage. The most recent was Hurricane Eta two weeks ago; before that, it was Hurricane Paloma in 2008. A total of 8,000 homes in Santa Cruz were damaged and another 670 in Camaguey and Las Tunas. The British ship RFA Wave Ruler was sent to Little Cayman and Cayman Brac for humanitarian assistance, on the order of Governor Stuart Jack. 1 Hurricane Paloma 10 Nov 2008 16:00 hrs", "Hurricane Paloma prepares to pound Cuba", "Operation USA sending emergency assistance to Cuba and preparing response for Hurricane Paloma", "Tormenta tropical "Paloma" afectará a Honduras", "Paloma sends western Jamaica into high gear", Jamaica's Report on the 2008 Hurricane Season, Honduras and Central America: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the North Atlantic basin. This later expired on November 6 as Paloma moved away from the region. Paloma was the sixth most powerful November hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin, behind only the 1932 Cuba hurricane, 2020 Hurricanes Iota and Eta, and a tie of 1999's Lenny, and 2001's Michelle. [13], Already severely impacted by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the European Commission, through its Humanitarian Aid department was already providing €2 million (US$2.7 million) in relief aid. Grand Cayman escaped almost entirely unscathed. Hurricane Paloma was the sixth most intense November Atlantic hurricane on record. 8, "Paloma strengthens, heads toward Caymans", "Hurricane Season 2008: Paloma (Caribbean Sea)", "Hondurans face many months of struggle after deadly floods, UN aid wing says", "Jamaica's Report on the 2008 Hurricane Season", The 2008 Hurricane Season and its Impact on Cuban Agriculture and Trade, Report on the 2008 Hurricane Season in Cuba, "Powerful Paloma roars ashore in Cuba, then weakens 8th Ld-Writethru", "UPDATE 2-Paloma weakens to tropical storm over Cuba", "Paloma leaves scenes of ruin and despair in Cuba", "Four Hurricane Names Retired From List of Storms", "Hurricane Paloma: early evacuation saved lives", HPC rainfall page for 2008 Tropical Cyclones, National Hurricane Center's Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook. A late-season hurricane, it set several records for its intensity and formation. [21][23][24] An estimated 3,000 tourists in Ciego de Avila were brought to shelters. By March 3, 2009, one group raised $120,000 in relief funds and received another $20,000 in donations. Hurricanes, Cyclones and Extreme weather worldwide; Netweather Community. [49], Owing to the hurricane's destructive effects in the Cayman Islands and Cuba, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Paloma in the Spring of 2009 and replaced it with Paulette, which was first used in 2020. [43] Total damage from hurricanes that year amounted to $9.4 billion. The island's fire station and Faith Hospital had major roof damage, with the latter resulting in significant water damage to equipment. [9], Late on November 8, environmental conditions abruptly became hostile as the hurricane approached Cuba. [9] Aided by increasing divergence from an approaching upper-level trough, Paloma's outflow greatly enhanced overnight. About 7,000 farmers and 4,700 residences were isolated by floodwaters. Accelerating northward the low became decreasingly organized and ultimately dissipated early the next day about 70 mi (110 km) south-southwest of Apalachicola, Florida. [52], The overall impacts from Hurricane Paloma were reflected in the territory's GDP by a 0.9 percent decrease, worth $33 million, in the expected growth for 2008. While south of eastern Cuba on August 24, Debby was downgraded to a tropical depression, six hours before completely dissipating. By September 20, the system turned northward and later that day made landfall in Zapata Peninsula, Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane on the modern day Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. It strengthened to winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) before making landfall on western Haiti and the north coast of eastern Cuba. Bertha became the longest-lived July tropical cyclone on record for the basin, the first of several long-lived systems during 2008. 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