Hurricane Mitch was one of the most destructive storms to hit Central America. It peaked on October 26 and 27 with sustained winds in excess of 280 km/h. On October 30, Mitch made landfall over Honduras and, despite a decrease in wind strength, still produced devastating effects. Torrential rain fell over Honduras for several days as the storm stalled off the northern coast before making its way inland on October 30 and 31. Flood and wind damage was reported nation-wide, but the northern seaboard was particularly hard hit.

Estimates put the death toll in Honduras at 7000 people with a further 10,000 missing as a result of the flooding. Damage to the national infrastructure has been severe with numerous bridges damaged or destroyed. This has hampered efforts by relief teams to supply isolated communities with food, water and other supplies. Adding to the disaster is the destruction of approximately 70 per cent of crops. In Nicaragua an estimated 2,300 people were killed as well as several hundred in Guatemala and El Salvador.

As the hurricane moved north and west over Guatemala, it began to dissipate over south-eastern Mexico then turned north-east over the Gulf of Mexico. By November 5 the remains of the storm moved out into the Atlantic.

The Dillon Foundation was there to provide relief with goods as well as special programs to the children affected by this devastating event.

Watch the Channel 10 video - Part 1 Tegucigalpa the flooding
Honduras, 1999 - 4 minutes (Windows Media Video format)

Watch the Channel 10 video - Part 2 Where are the men
Honduras, 1999 - 4 minutes (Windows Media Video format) ras, 1999 - 4 minutes (Windows Media Video format)

Watch the Channel 10 video - Part 3 Dillon Foundation relief project
Honduras, 1999 - 3 minutes (Windows Media Video format)

Watch the home made video - Dillon Foundation relief project - Honduras, 1999 (Windows Media Video format)
 

Devastation from the flooding>		Emergency tents
Mud everywhere		Children at school
Puppet show organized by the Foundation to bring some joy to the children affected by the flooding.		The water reached up to the third floor of this building