Honduras: Widespread flooding and associated damage and disruptions ongoing across Honduras as of Nov. 18 following the passing of Tropical Storm Sara

Disruptions associated with the passing of Tropical Storm Sara are ongoing across Honduras as of Nov. 18. The storm system made landfall near Brus Laguna in Gracias a Dios Department late Nov. 14 before skirting slowly along the north coast of Honduras Nov. 15 and passing through the Bay Islands early Nov. 16. Heavy rainfall associated with the system has caused widespread flooding and associated damage and disruptions across many parts of the country, with northern areas of the country worst affected. The Secretariat of State for National Risk and Contingency Management Offices (COPECO) has reported that more than 110,000 people have been affected by the storm and more than 5,000 people remain housed in emergency shelters. Authorities have confirmed at least two fatalities and three others are missing. At least nine bridges have been destroyed and 19 others damaged and many roads have been made impassable by floodwaters and debris; the flooding and associated damage to overland transport links have cut off more than 1,700 communities across the country. More than 200 homes have been destroyed and more than 2,500 others damaged by flooding.

As of Nov. 18, COPECO is maintaining red alerts (the highest level on a three-tier scale) for Atlantida, the Bay Islands, Choluteca, Colon, Cortes, Gracias a Dios, Valle, and Yoro departments, yellow alerts for El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Olancho, and Santa Barbara departments, and green alerts across the rest of the country. A nationwide State of Emergency was declared Nov. 15 due to the impacts of the storm. Authorities have closed the main bridges linking Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela due to rising levels in the Choluteca River as dams around the capital are reaching capacity and several people have been evacuated from riverine areas. Schools have been closed across many affected areas.

Protracted transport and business disruptions are certain in affected areas as emergency crews continue recovery efforts. Utility outages may occur over the coming days and weeks, and shortages of fuel and other essential goods are probable.

Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding may increase the incidence of insect-borne and waterborne diseases, such as cholera. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters could pose a severe health threat.