10. Florida

After making landfall in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Mitch continued traveling in a northeast direction and due to a cold front, accelerated in speed and intensified in pressure. Having already affected the Florida Keys as a tropical storm, Mitch made its final landfall on November 5 near Naples, Florida, as a tropical storm with winds of 65 miles per hour (Wikipedia). Mitch lingered around this area for a few days while becoming extratropical, until it continued traveling to the northeast and losing its identity north of Great Britain on November 9. Although not many people died in the United States from Mitch, the storm caused 40 billion dollars in damage, in addition to damaging over 600 houses and leaving 100,000 people without power for a period of time. According to Kai Hill’s section, “Unprecedented U.S. Response,” of her article, “Mitch Left a Legacy of Justice Generosity and Justice,” it is pretty evident that numerous Americans became devoted to helping out Central Americans in the recovery from Mitch. She expands, “As always, [Catholic Relief Services]' ability to respond began with concerned Americans unwilling to let a disaster go unanswered. Hundreds of thousands of generous donors came forward with their support, concern and prayers” (“Mitch”). Further, "The proximity and immediacy of the plight of people in Central America, due to Hurricane Mitch, captivated the emotions of the North American people," wrote CRS President Ken Hackett in 2000. "This crisis sparked the desire of the American people to do something that would both help them fulfill their obligation to assist those in dire need, but also to reduce the vulnerability in the long term for these poor Central American nations" (“Mitch Left Legacy”). In this picture, winds at an outdoor theater are visible as the storm approaches the Florida coastline.