It left destruction and death in Costa Rica and Panama. As a result, it is not longer part of the list of names of Atlantic hurricanes.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) determined to permanently exclude Otto and Matthew from the list of names available to baptize cyclones in the Atlantic Ocean.
Otto, the first hurricane that hit Costa Rican territory, affected the country from November 22nd to November 26th, in 2016 and it left death and destruction in Upala and Guayabo de Bagaces.
In Costa Rica, 10 people died, while in Panama, there were 8 victims.
The WMO makes these decisions when cyclones cause deadly and destructive effects. It does it mainly to avoid sensitivities among the victims.
According to this scientific organization, Otto set several historical records: it was the first hurricane that hit Costa Rican territory since 1851, it was the strongest hurricane in a season closure and it was the first time a hurricane reached the South of Central America.
The WMO uses a list of names that are rotated every 6 years. The objective is to facilitate the identification of each storm and thus to deploy security operations in each country.