Hurricane Maria

Quick Facts: Who was Hurricane Maria?

Subject:

Hurricane Maria

Known for:

Catastrophic 2017 Atlantic hurricane, deadliest and costliest to Puerto Rico.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Hurricane Maria was an extremely powerful and catastrophic tropical cyclone that affected the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which accounted for 2,975 of the 3,059 deaths. It is the deadliest and costliest hurricane to strike the archipelago and island of Puerto Rico, and is the deadliest hurricane to strike the country of Dominica and the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017, Maria was the thirteenth named storm, eighth consecutive hurricane, fourth major hurricane, second Category 5 hurricane, and deadliest storm of the extremely active 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. With over 3,000 deaths and a minimum central pressure of 908 millibars (26.8 inHg), Maria was the twelfth-most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, respectively. Total monetary losses are estimated at upwards of $91.61 billion (2017 USD), almost all of which came from Puerto Rico, ranking it as the fourth-costliest tropical cyclone on record.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Maria developed from a tropical wave on September 16 east of the Lesser Antilles. Steady strengthening and organization took place initially, until favorable conditions enabled it to undergo explosive intensification on the afternoon of September 18, achieving Category 5 strength just before making landfall on the island of Dominica that night. After crossing the island and weakening slightly, Maria re-intensified and achieved its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and a pressure of 908 mbar (hPa; 26.81 inHg). On September 20, an eyewall replacement cycle weakened Maria to a high-end Category 4 hurricane by the time it struck Puerto Rico. The hurricane re-emerged weaker from land interaction, but quickly restrengthened back into a major hurricane again the following day.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Passing north of the Bahamas, Maria remained a powerful hurricane over the following week as it slowly paralleled the East Coast of the United States, gradually weakening over time as conditions became less favorable. Maria then stalled and swung eastward over the open Atlantic, becoming extratropical on September 30 before dissipating by October 2. Maria brought catastrophic devastation to the entirety of Dominica, destroying housing stock and infrastructure beyond repair, and practically eradicating the island's lush vegetation. The neighboring islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique endured widespread flooding, damaged roofs, and uprooted trees. Puerto Rico suffered catastrophic damage and a major humanitarian crisis; most of the island's population suffered from flooding and a lack of resources, compounded by a slow relief process.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2017: 2017 Milestone — Hurricane Maria was an extremely powerful and catastrophic tropical cyclone that affected the northeastern Caribbean in September 2017, particularly in the U.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hurricane Maria

True or False: “Hurricane Maria was the first Category 5 storm to make landfall in Dominica.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that Maria became the first Category 5 hurricane on record to strike the island nation of Dominica.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abdul Halim of Kedah — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): Sultan of Kedah and Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a pivotal Malaysian royal figure.
• Adam West — Historical peer (Died in 2017) (2017): American actor best known for portraying Batman in the 1960s and extensive voice work.
• Husayn ibn Ali — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Prominent Alid leader, grandson of Muhammad, and revered figure in Shia Islam.
• Huseng Sisiw — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A prominent Tagalog writer during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines.
• Huseyn Suhrawardy — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A pivotal Pakistani statesman and founder, known for his role in the creation of Pakistan.
• Husino uprising — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A pivotal 1920 miners' strike in central Bosnia against economic hardship and oppression.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hurricane Maria