Read and hear unvarnished versions of favorite tales. By Valerie A. May More than 80,000 people from 178 countries and territories logged on to National Geographic's Web site to take our sociological survey. What they had to say may surprise you. Get survey results. Already sodden at the end of the rainy season, Central America was ripe for disaster when Hurricane Mitch struck last fall.
Survivors recall the deadliest tempest in two centuries.
Read excerpts of this story online. For the complete version, subscribe today. The water may have receded, but the victims of this storm still suffer.