Guatemala: Tropical Storm Amanda leaves flooding and power outages May 31

Event

Tropical Storm Amanda made landfall in the eastern coastal region of Guatemala early Sunday morning (local time), May 31, with heavy rainfall and damaging winds. The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred) has thus far reported associated flooding and landslides in various southeastern areas of the country, particularly the departments of Jalapa and Jutiapa. The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical depression, however, heavy rainfall is expected to continue as it moves northwards through the central area of the country. Conred has issued warnings that the departments of Chiquimula, El Progreso, Quiché, Huehuetenango, Petén, Sololá, Alta Verapaz, and Guatemala are susceptible to heavy damages associated with expected damaging winds and rain as the storm continues to trek north across the country.

Associated flooding, infrastructure damage, power outages, and transportation disruptions are possible in the region over the coming days.  

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, anticipate adverse weather and power and transportation disruptions, and remember that running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) is enough to knock over an adult - and never drive through flooded streets; floodwater may also contain wastewater and chemical products.