Impending Fury: Hurricane Sara Nears Landfall, Threatens Devastating Floods and Mudslides in Central America
Tropical Storm Sara poses a significant threat to Central America, with the National Hurricane Center issuing warnings about potential catastrophic flooding and mudslides. As of Friday, Sara continues its sluggish progression near the northern coast of Honduras, putting various regions on high alert. The storm is currently positioned approximately 30 miles south-southwest of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, and is 170 miles southeast of Belize City. It exhibits maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is inching westward at a mere 2 mph.
The storm trajectory is expected to maintain its westward course through the next day, shifting towards a west-northwest direction by late Saturday. With a central pressure recorded at 997 mb, Tropical Storm Sara demands urgent attention from those in its path.
Tropical Storm Warnings are currently active for the northern coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands, the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, and reaching the southern coast of Belize up to the Belize-Guatemala border. Heavy rainfall remains the primary concern, particularly in northern Honduras, where forecasts suggest 15 to 25 inches—with local peaks of up to 35 inches—raising the alarm for flash flooding and landslides.
Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, eastern Nicaragua, and Quintana Roo in Mexico are anticipated to receive significant rainfall ranging from 5 to 10 inches, exacerbating flood and mudslide risks. Winds in the affected areas are projected to strengthen, posing additional threats of damage as Sara approaches Belize, predicted to make landfall by Sunday.
Concerns over storm surges persist, with water levels on the northern coast of Honduras possibly rising 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels, further intensified by destructive waves. Although Sara is yet to make landfall, its presence has already led to flash floods in Honduras, and its slow movement suggests an extended period of extreme weather across Central America.
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/hurricane-sara-nears-landfall-could-trigger-floods-and-mudslides-in-central-america-11731702596911.html
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