Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that struck the Caribbean and the southeastern United States in late September and early October 2016. It was the first Category 5 Atlantic hurricane since Felix in 2007 and caused catastrophic damage, particularly in Haiti, Cuba, and parts of the United States. The storm resulted in widespread devastation, loss of life, and long-term humanitarian crises, making it one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes of the decade.

Meteorological Background

Hurricane Matthew originated from a tropical wave that departed the west coast of Africa on 22 September 2016. As it travelled across the Atlantic Ocean, the system gradually organised, becoming a tropical storm on 28 September to the east of the Lesser Antilles. Warm sea surface temperatures and low vertical wind shear allowed rapid intensification, and by 30 September, Matthew had strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of around 270 km/h (165 mph). This made it one of the most intense hurricanes to form in the Caribbean Sea in recent decades.
The hurricane maintained major status for several days, following a path that affected several Caribbean nations, including Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahamas, before moving northward parallel to the southeastern coast of the United States. Matthew eventually weakened and transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on 9 October 2016 off the coast of North Carolina.

Impact on the Caribbean

The Caribbean region suffered the most severe consequences from Hurricane Matthew. Haiti bore the brunt of the storm, where it made landfall on 4 October 2016 near Les Anglais as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of approximately 230 km/h (145 mph). The hurricane caused catastrophic damage, destroying tens of thousands of homes, uprooting trees, and triggering widespread flooding and mudslides. Official reports indicated that over 550 people were killed in Haiti, though some estimates suggested a much higher toll. The country’s southern peninsula was devastated, and over a million people were affected, many left without shelter, food, or clean water. The destruction also led to a resurgence of cholera cases, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
In Cuba, Hurricane Matthew made landfall in the Guantánamo Province, causing extensive coastal flooding and infrastructure damage, particularly in the town of Baracoa. Around 90 per cent of buildings in the area were damaged or destroyed. Jamaica and the Dominican Republic experienced heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides, though they avoided direct landfall. The Bahamas also suffered major wind and storm surge damage as Matthew passed through the archipelago as a Category 4 storm on 6–7 October.

Effects on the United States

Hurricane Matthew approached the United States coastline in early October, tracking parallel to Florida’s Atlantic coast before making landfall near McClellanville, South Carolina, as a Category 1 hurricane. Although the storm’s centre remained mostly offshore, it produced destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and historic coastal flooding from Florida to North Carolina. Over 2.2 million people were ordered to evacuate across the southeastern states.
In Florida, coastal communities experienced significant beach erosion, power outages, and structural damage. Georgia and South Carolina saw widespread flooding and downed trees, while North Carolina endured some of the worst inland flooding in its history. The heavy rainfall—exceeding 450 mm in some regions—caused rivers to overflow, inundating entire towns and leading to over 25 deaths in North Carolina alone. In total, at least 49 deaths were reported in the United States due to the hurricane, and economic losses were estimated at over US$10 billion.

Environmental and Economic Consequences

The environmental aftermath of Hurricane Matthew was extensive. The powerful winds and storm surges altered coastlines, eroded beaches, and damaged coral reefs throughout the Caribbean. Floodwaters in the southeastern United States contaminated water systems and agricultural land with pollutants and debris. In Haiti, deforestation worsened the storm’s effects, as the lack of vegetation amplified flooding and landslides.
Economically, the storm had far-reaching repercussions. Agricultural losses in Haiti devastated local food supplies, while in the United States, transportation networks, infrastructure, and insurance sectors faced billions of dollars in damages. The extensive loss of property and crops highlighted the vulnerability of both developing and developed nations to high-intensity tropical cyclones.

Humanitarian Response and Relief Efforts

Following the devastation, international and domestic humanitarian responses were mobilised rapidly. The United Nations, Red Cross, and various non-governmental organisations coordinated emergency relief operations in Haiti, delivering food, medical aid, and temporary shelter. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provided logistical and financial assistance, while several countries contributed funds and supplies. Despite these efforts, the recovery process in Haiti was slow due to pre-existing poverty, infrastructural weakness, and the compounded effects of previous natural disasters such as the 2010 earthquake.
In the United States, federal and state emergency agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), led recovery operations. Emergency shelters were established for displaced residents, and power restoration became a priority in affected regions. Reconstruction efforts in the southeastern states lasted for months, focusing on repairing critical infrastructure, particularly in flood-prone communities.

Scientific and Climatic Context

Hurricane Matthew drew significant scientific interest due to its rapid intensification and sustained strength. Meteorologists noted that the warm sea surface temperatures in the Caribbean and low wind shear conditions created ideal circumstances for the hurricane’s explosive development. It also reinforced the growing body of evidence linking climate change to more frequent and intense tropical cyclones. Rising ocean temperatures and sea-level rise are projected to increase storm surges and rainfall associated with future hurricanes, amplifying their destructive potential.
Matthew also highlighted improvements in forecasting accuracy and emergency preparedness. Advances in satellite monitoring and predictive modelling enabled more precise storm tracking, which allowed timely evacuations that saved lives in the United States and the Caribbean.

Legacy and Significance

The legacy of Hurricane Matthew extends beyond its immediate destruction. It served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal populations, especially in nations with limited infrastructure and disaster management capacity. The hurricane prompted renewed discussions on climate resilience, urban planning, and environmental restoration in the Caribbean and the United States. In Haiti, the disaster underscored the urgent need for sustainable development and better public health systems to withstand future crises.