Tropical Storm Paloma became Hurricane Paloma on November 6, 2008. The storm quickly intensified the following day, becoming a Category 3 hurricane, with winds of 115 miles per hour. By the time it made landfall in Cuba 6:20 PM on November 8 in Santa Cruz del Sur, Paloma had grown into a powerful Category 4, forcing over half a million evacuations. The Island nation—which had been struck by Hurricane Ike only weeks before—saw hundreds of homes ruined by Paloma before it weakened to a Category 2 storm.Radio Netherlands: Hurricane Paloma weakening over Cuba (November 9, 2008) Associated Press: Paloma wrecks hundreds of homes in Cuba (November 9, 2008) The hurricane was not expected to threaten the U.S. mainland.National Hurricane Center: Hurricane Paloma Public Advisory CNN: Hurricane Paloma strengthens as it heads to Caymans (November 7, 2008)
Damage Report
- After the eye passed to the east of Grand Cayman, no deaths have yet been reported. Residents are being told to be cautions as they move around the city and businesses are expected to resume operations immediately, as there is little or no damage.Vancouver Sun: Hurricane Paloma Strengthens, Heads for Cuba (November 8, 2008) Several cruise ships belonging to Royal Caribbean sailing in the Caribbean had to switch course as Paloma continued to move north.USA Today: Powerful Hurricane Paloma scatters cruise ships... (November 8, 2008)
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References
Fast Facts
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November 8, 2008
At 4 p.m. EST, Category 4 Hurricane Paloma was located about 75 miles south-southwest of Camaguey, CubaWSAV: Category 4 Paloma to Make Landfall in Cuba (November 8, 2008)
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Maximum sustained winds
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Location
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Minimum central pressure
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Forecasters said on the evening of November 7, 2008, that the storm could weaken after crossing the Cayman IslandsCNN: Hurricane Paloma strengthens as it heads to Caymans (November 7, 2008)
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National Hurricane Center advisory indicated Hurricane Paloma could hit parts of Cuba as a Category 4 stormNational Hurricane Center: Hurricane Paloma Public Advisory
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Hurricane warnings issued for the Cuban provinces of Sancti Spiritus, Ciego de Avila, Camaguey, Las Tunas and GranmaNational Hurricane Center: Hurricane Paloma Public Advisory
