Hurricane Paula 2010 Atlantic hurricane season

the complex interaction between cold front, multiple tropical waves, , broad area of low pressure in wake of nicole led formation of tropical depression 00:00 utc on october 11 115 mi (185 km) southeast of cabo gracias dios. nascent cyclone intensified tropical storm paula 6 hours later, briefly moving ashore northeastern tip of honduras on october 11 before re-emerging northwestern caribbean. amid favorable environment, paula intensified hurricane 00:00 utc on october 12 , attained peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) @ 18:00 utc while maintaining unusually small size. increase in shear prompted steady weakening trend system turned north , east. paula fell tropical storm intensity on october 14, making landfall between santa lucia , puerto esperanza winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). system further weakened tropical depression on october 15 , degenerated remnant low 12:00 utc. remnant low became diffuse, dissipating @ 18:00 utc.

in northeastern honduras, low-lying areas evacuated , numerous homes destroyed. rainfall peaked @ 7.9 in (200 mm), resulting in widespread flooding. waves 7 ft (2.1 m) affected coastline. american tourist drowned off cozumel after succumbing rough seas. minor impacts observed along northeastern coastline of yucatán peninsula. outer bands of paula affected cuba, rainfall peaked @ 7.32 in (186 mm) , winds reached 68 mph (109 km/h). strong winds downed many trees, blocking roadways, , damaged roofs of several homes. rain, however, regarded beneficial crops , low reservoirs. rough seas removed concrete havana s sea wall , submerged coastal streets under 1–2 ft (0.3–0.61 m) of water.