Central America: Flooding and landslides following heavy rains

Event

Torrential rains ongoing since October 4 have caused deadly flooding and landslides in Central America. As of early Monday, October 8 (local time), at least 12 deaths have been reported and thousands of people have been evacuated. While the worst of the storm has passed, associated transportation disruptions, e.g. roads blocked by landslides and fallen trees, are to be anticipated in the coming hours and days as rescue and clean-up efforts continue.

In Honduras, the worst-hit areas have been Francisco Morazán (home to the capital Tegucigalpa), Valle, and Choluteca, where some areas remained cut off as of late Sunday (e.g. Marcovia municipality). Three people were killed in a landslide in the Honduran town of Lenca de Juniguara (La Paz department); three other deaths have been reported in the country. More than 7000 people have been directly affected. Schools will be closed nationwide on Monday.

In Nicaragua, some 23,000 people have been affected in total, including three people who drowned.

One person has been reported missing in Guatemala’s San Marcos region. Various areas in the country have been cut off due to blocked or damaged roads.

In El Salvador, at least three people were killed, including one who drowned Arambala and one killed by a fallen tree in Ahuachapán. Yellow alerts remain in effect in 37 Salvadoran municipalities in the east and along the Pacific coast - Joateca, Arambala, El Rosario, Jocoaitique, Perquín, and Corinto, and the entire department of Morazán - where further rain is forecast through October 9.

At least one person was killed in Costa Rica. As of Sunday evening, the meteorological authorities were warning of ongoing flooding in Guanacaste and Puntarenas, as well as the continued risk of landslides in the Cordillera de Tilarán, Pacífico Sur, and Cerro de la Muerte areas.

Context

Torrential rain is common in Central during the Atlantic and Pacific hurricane seasons, which run through November.

Advice

Individuals in affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions prior to setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Remember that walking or driving through floodwaters can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.