{{Short description|Category 2 Atlantic hurricane in 2010}} {{good article}} {{Infobox weather event | name = Hurricane Richard | image = Hurricane Richard 2010-10-24 1645Z.jpg | caption = Richard as a Category 1 hurricane off the Belizean coast on October 24 | formed = October 20, 2010 | low = October 25, 2010 | dissipated = October 27, 2010 }}{{Infobox weather event/NWS | winds = 85 | pressure = 977 }}{{Infobox weather event/Effects | year = 2010 | fatalities = 1 direct, 1 indirect | damage = 80000000 | areas = Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico | refs = }}{{Infobox weather event/Footer | season = 2010 Atlantic hurricane season }} '''Hurricane Richard''' was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected areas of Central America in October 2010. It developed on October 20 from an area of low pressure that had stalled in the Caribbean Sea. The system moved to the southeast before turning to the west. The storm slowly organized, and the system intensified into a tropical storm. Initially, Richard only intensified slowly in an area of weak steering currents. However, by October 23, wind shear diminished, and the storm intensified faster as it headed toward Belize. The next day, Richard intensified into hurricane status, and further into its peak intensity as a Category 2 hurricane, reaching maximum winds of {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. The hurricane made its only landfall on Belize at peak intensity. Over land, Richard quickly weakened, and later degenerated into a remnant low on October 25.
Richard caused an estimated $80 million (2010 USD) in damages in its path. In Honduras, damage was mostly limited to power outages and landslides. In Belize, most of the damage was attributed to damage to crops. Power outages were also widespread across the country; two fatalities occurred there as well.
==Meteorological history== {{storm path|Richard 2010 path.png|colors=new}} The origins of Hurricane Richard can be traced back to a tropical wave that moved off the African coast on October 4 and moved westward, stalling over Venezuela on October 13.<ref>{{cite web|author=MT|date=2010-10-04|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2010/TWDAT.201010050004.txt}}</ref> Over the next 3 days, it drifted into the extreme southwestern Caribbean Sea, and soon developed an area of low pressure, until it stalled just north of Panama. On October 16, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) began to monitor that area of disturbed weather in association with a weak trough of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, which persisted across the region as Hurricane Paula dissipated over Cuba on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|date=2010-10-16|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010160546.txt}}</ref> By October 17, the easterly and northerly trade winds flowed into the low, producing a disorganized area of convection, or thunderstorms across the region.<ref>{{cite web|author=Marshall Huffman|date=2010-10-17|title=Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWDAT/2010/TWDAT.201010170552.txt}}</ref> For several days the system moved generally west-northwestward toward Central America. Convection increased over the low on October 18, and the National Hurricane Center noted the possibility of further organization due to favorable environmental conditions.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-18|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010180531.txt}}</ref> Later that day, it passed near the eastern coast of Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Cangialosi|date=2010-10-18|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010181151.txt}}</ref> The storm became more organized as it turned to a north-northwest drift in the northwestern Caribbean Sea.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-18|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010190530.txt}}</ref>
The Hurricane Hunters investigated the system on October 19 and indicated the development of a low-level circulation. As such, the NHC noted that the storm was very close to tropical depression strength.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-19|title=Special Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010192039.txt}}</ref> The next day, after the system turned to the east, strong upper-level wind shear impeded its further development, but such conditions were expected to abate.<ref>{{cite web|author=David Cangialosi/Stacy Stewart|date=2010-10-20|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOAT/2010/TWOAT.201010201136.txt}}</ref> Early on October 21, the convection had organized and increased near the center of circulation despite still being in an area of moderate wind shear. Due to the organization, the NHC classified it as Tropical Depression Nineteen about {{convert|125|mi|km}} south of Grand Cayman. At the time, the depression was drifting eastward, located near the base of a mid-level trough and toward the west of a subtropical ridge.<ref>{{cite web|author=Todd Kimberlain/Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-21|title=Tropical Depression Nineteen Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.001.shtml?}}</ref> In the hours after its formation, the center remained located along the western portion of a cyclonically curved rainband as the convection increased.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lixion Avila|date=2010-10-21|title=Tropical Depression Nineteen Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.002.shtml?}}</ref> The wind shear decreased, and despite the presence of dry air to its northwest, the depression intensified to Tropical Storm Richard by 1500 UTC on October 21, based on confirmation from the Hurricane Hunters.<ref name="disc3">{{cite web|author=Eric Blake|date=2010-10-21|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.003.shtml?}}</ref> However post–operational analysis revealed that the depression became a tropical storm slightly earlier, at 1200 UTC.<ref name="TCR">{{cite web|author=Todd B. Kimberlain|publisher=National Hurricane Center|date=January 13, 2011|access-date=January 18, 2011|title=Hurricane Richard Tropical Cyclone Report|url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL192010_Richard}}|format=PDF}}</ref>
thumb|right|Tropical Depression Nineteen on October 20, shortly after being classified with a tiny circulation displaced just outside its convection|alt=A satellite image of a cluster of storms, weakly circulating about a common center. Upon intensifying to tropical storm status, Richard was moving southeastward, still in an area of weak steering currents and in the midst of undergoing a loop in its track. Two hurricane models predicted for the storm to intensify to major hurricane status over the western Caribbean. The official forecast was for the storm to make landfall on Belize with winds of {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref name="disc3"/> As Richard continued generally southward early on October 22, its convection became ragged and linear, preventing any initial strengthening.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tood Kimberlain/Jack Beven|date=2010-10-22|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.005.shtml?}}</ref> Additionally, the circulation became elongated as the thunderstorms deteriorated,<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake|date=2010-10-22|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.008.shtml?}}</ref> due to the continued presence of dry air and wind shear.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jack Beven|date=2010-10-23|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Nine|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.009.shtml?}}</ref> After turning westward, Richard moved parallel just offshore the Honduras coast, and its circulation became difficult to locate on satellite imagery.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown/David Cangialosi|date=2010-10-23|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Ten|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.010.shtml?}}</ref>
On October 23, Tropical Storm Richard began strengthening again, after the shear diminished and the storm took advantage of the warm waters of the western Caribbean.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake|date=2010-10-23|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.011.shtml?}}</ref> Later that day, a mid-level eye feature became evident on satellite imagery.<ref>{{cite web|author=Todd Kimberlain|date=2010-10-24|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Thirteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.013.shtml?}}</ref> Additionally, the outflow gradually improved and became more symmetrical throughout the circulation.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|date=2010-10-24|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Fourteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.014.shtml?}}</ref> On October 24, Hurricane Hunters indicated that Richard attained hurricane status, based on surface winds of {{convert|85|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}. In addition, radar from Belize at the time indicated a nearly-closed eyewall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch/David Roberts|date=2010-10-24|title=Hurricane Richard Discussion Fifteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.015.shtml?}}</ref> The hurricane continued intensifying to peak winds of {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and the minimum central pressure dropped to {{convert|977|mbar|inHg}}, making it a Category 2 hurricane, despite the fact that it was operationally classified as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} and a pressure of {{convert|981|mbar|inHg}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-24|title=Hurricane Richard Discussion Sixteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.016.shtml?}}</ref>
At around 0045 UTC on October 25, Hurricane Richard made landfall about {{convert|20|mi|km}}/h) south-southeast of Belize City, Belize at peak intensity,<ref name="update"/> and just after moving ashore, the eye briefly became better defined.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown/Robbie Berg|date=2010-10-25|title=Hurricane Richard Discussion Seventeen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.017.shtml?}}</ref> Within a few hours however, the inner core lost definition as the eye dissipated.<ref>{{cite web|author=John Cangialosi/Stacy Stewart|date=2010-10-25|title=Tropical Storm Richard Discussion Eighteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.018.shtml?}}</ref> The winds rapidly diminished, and Richard weakened to tropical depression status after crossing into northern Guatemala. By then, there was little deep convection remaining,<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch/Dave Roberts|date=2010-10-25|title=Tropical Depression Richard Discussion Nineteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.019.shtml?}}</ref> and after emerging into the Bay of Campeche Richard degenerated into a remnant low on October 26, but then turned back east as the system was forced to because of the strong wind shear. After the storm reached the Yucatán Peninsula, the system began turning north until it reached the Gulf of Mexico. The remnants of Hurricane Richard continued to move north over the Gulf of Mexico as it weakened, until the system dissipated completely, late on October 27.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-26|title=Tropical Depression Richard Discussion Twenty-Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-26|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.discus.023.shtml?}}</ref>
==Preparations and impact==
===Honduras=== [[File:Hurricane Richard (5115797707).png|left|thumb|Blustery conditions on the island of Roatán, off the northern coast of Honduras]] Starting late on October 21, the Government of Honduras issued a tropical storm watch for then-Tropical Storm Richard, which covered the north coast of Honduras from Limón to the border with Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite web|author=Erik Blake|date=2010-10-21|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.003.shtml?}}</ref> When Richard finally began to head westward on October 22, the tropical storm watch was upgraded to a tropical storm warnings; a hurricane watch was also issued for the same location.<ref>{{cite web|author=Erik Blake|date=2010-10-22|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.007.shtml?}}</ref> By 1500 UTC on October 23, the Government of Honduras had issued a tropical storm warning from Limón heading westward toward Puerto Cortés; the tropical storm warning also included the three Bay Islands of Guanaja, Roatán, and Útila.<ref name="advis11">{{cite web|author=Erik Blake/Stacy Stewart|date=2010-10-23|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.011.shtml?}}</ref> As Richard was predicted to brush the coast of Honduras just offshore, the tropical storm warning was upgraded to a hurricane warning.<ref name="advis11"/>
At the time Richard had intensified into a hurricane, it had moved away from eastern Honduras, and the tropical storm warning and hurricane watch was discontinued from Limón to the border with Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch/David Roberts|date=2010-10-24|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Fifteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.015.shtml?}}</ref> While Hurricane Richard was approaching Belize on October 24, the Government of Honduras discontinued all watches and warning that had been issued in association with the storm as was no longer considered a possible threat for landfall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2010-10-24|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Sixteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.016.shtml?}}</ref>
While passing to the north of the country, Richard knocked down trees and power lines on the northern Honduras coast. Some power outages occurring in areas resulted from the fallen power lines. In addition, mudslides triggered by rainfall cut off an estimated 15,000 people in 40 small towns.<ref name=aljzaeerabelizelandfall>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Richard strikes Belize|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2010/10/201010252442652131.html|access-date=20 October 2012|date=October 25, 2010|agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name=sifyheadsforbelize /> Four coastal Honduran provinces were declared areas of maximum alert by the government after the storm. The offshore Bay Islands also experienced heavy rainfall due to Richard. Winds on the islands peaked at {{convert|58|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on Roatán.<ref name=sifyheadsforbelize>{{cite news|title=Richard becomes hurricane, heads for tiny Belize|url=http://www.sify.com/news/richard-becomes-hurricane-heads-for-tiny-belize-news-others-kk0iv0hbfjg.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427195047/http://www.sify.com/news/richard-becomes-hurricane-heads-for-tiny-belize-news-others-kk0iv0hbfjg.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2017|access-date=20 October 2012|date=October 26, 2010|author=Sify|author-link=Sify|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name=iolhonduras>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Richard heads for Belize|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/hurricane-richard-heads-for-belize-1.688541|access-date=20 October 2012|date=October 25, 2010|agency=Independent Online}}</ref>
===Belize=== thumb|right|Hurricane Richard making landfall on Belize on October 25|alt=A black and white image of a tropical cyclone. A small eye is visible. The Government of Belize began warning of the threat of Richard on October 22, starting with a tropical storm watch issued for the entire east coast of the country.<ref name="advis8">{{cite web|author=Erik Blake|date=2010-10-22|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Number Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.008.shtml?}}</ref> As Tropical Storm Richard was rapidly intensifying, the tropical storm watch on the coast of Belize was replaced with a tropical storm warning, which had been upgraded at 1500 UTC October 23. Only three hours after the replacement of the tropical storm watch to warning, Richard was nearing hurricane status,<ref name="advis11"/> and the tropical storm warning in place on the east coast of Belize upgraded to a hurricane warning.<ref>{{cite web|author=Erik Blake/Stacy Stewart|date=2010-10-23|title=Tropical Storm Richard Advisory Intermediate Advisory Number Eleven-A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public_a.011.shtml?}}</ref> The hurricane warning associated with Hurricane Richard remained in place for the east coast of Belize as landfall was occurring,<ref name="advis16">{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown/Robbie Berg|date=2010-10-25|title=Hurricane Richard Advisory Intermediate Advisory Number Sixteen-A|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public_a.016.shtml?}}</ref> since the storm made landfall to the south-southeast of Belize City.<ref name="update">{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown/Robbie Berg|date=2010-10-25|title=Hurricane Richard Tropical Cyclone Update|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public_a.011.shtml?}}</ref> Prior to the storm's landfall, an estimated 10,000 people took refuge in storm shelters and churches.<ref name=huffpostrichard>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Richard 2010: Belize Hit By Storm|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/25/hurricane-richard-2010-be_n_773232.html|access-date=20 October 2012|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=October 25, 2010|author=Jones, Patrick E.|agency=Associated Press|location=Belize City, Belize}}</ref>
Throughout Belize, Hurricane Richard damaged thousands of homes and leaving many without power. The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center, a major attraction for ecotourists and Belizeans, was in the path and heavily damaged forcing it to close to remove debris and repair their animal exhibits.<ref name=zooravaged>{{cite web|title=Belize Zoo Ravaged By Hurricane Richard|url=http://www.care2.com/causes/belize-zoo-ravaged-by-hurricane-richard.html|publisher=Care2|access-date=20 October 2012|author=Buczynski, Beth|date=November 14, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119005846/http://www.care2.com/causes/belize-zoo-ravaged-by-hurricane-richard.html|archive-date=19 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Overall damage was BZ$33.8 million ($17.4 million 2010 USD), most of which from crop damage, especially to citrus fruits. The entire grapefruit harvest was lost, an estimated 25% of orange crops were lost, and several large trees were downed. In addition, about 200 homes were destroyed.<ref name="TCR" /><ref name=amandalareport>{{cite web|title=Hurricane Richard rages through Central Belize|date = 29 October 2010|url=http://amandala.com.bz/news/?p=259055&upm_export=pdf|publisher=Amandala|access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref> There were two reported fatalities occurred. One person drowned after his ship capsized during the storm and another was mauled to death by a jaguar that had escaped when a tree fell on its cage.<ref name="TCR" />
===Mexico=== The Government of Mexico also gave warnings of the approaching Richard, first issuing a hurricane watch also the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula from Punta Gruesa southward to the city of Chetumal, which is on the border with Belize.<ref name="advis8"/> In addition to the hurricane watch issued for that portion for the Yucatán Peninsula, a tropical storm warning was set in effect for the same area.<ref name="advis11"/> Although Hurricane Richard approached closely to the Mexican portion of the Yucatán Peninsula, there were no changes to the watches and warning from 1500 UTC October 23 to the time of landfall in Belize.<ref name="advis16"/> After Hurricane Richard made landfall in Belize, the Government of Mexico discontinued the hurricane watch from Punta Gruesa southward to Chetumal, although the tropical storm warnings have been cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/al19/al192010.public.017.shtml?|author=Daniel Brown/Robbie Berg|title=Hurricane Richard Advisory Number Seventeen|date=2010-10-25|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2010-10-25}}</ref>
Governor of Quintana Roo Félix González Canto declared Chetumal as the highest state of alert prior to Richard. However, areas on the northeastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula were put on only minimum alert by the government.<ref name=afprichard>{{cite news|title=Hurricane Richard bears down on Belize|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5imHWodu1iANdSpw-r3RaUo_crGOQ?docId=CNG.b65806da7bbb6d7e246bb910ba835d30.8c1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027204441/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5imHWodu1iANdSpw-r3RaUo_crGOQ?docId=CNG.b65806da7bbb6d7e246bb910ba835d30.8c1|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 27, 2010|access-date=20 October 2012|date=October 24, 2010|agency=Agence France-Presse|location=Cancun, Mexico}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Tropical cyclones}} * Tropical cyclones in 2010 * List of Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes * Timeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season * Hurricane Earl (2016) – Category 1 hurricane that followed a similar track * Tropical Storm Sara (2024) – followed a similar track
==References== {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Hurricane Richard (2010)}} *[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2010/RICHARD.shtml The NHC's archive on Richard]
{{Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes}} {{2010 Atlantic hurricane season buttons}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richard}} Category:2010 Atlantic hurricane season Category:Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes Category:2010 in Honduras Category:2010 in Belize Category:2010 in Guatemala Category:2010 in Mexico Category:Atlantic hurricanes in Mexico Category:Hurricanes in Belize Category:Hurricanes in Guatemala Category:Hurricanes in Honduras Richard