Honduras battles flooding as Tropical Storm Sara unleashes heavy rainfall

16/11/2024 12:17

        Wading through waist-deep water, residents along the northern coast of Honduras trudged through the streets on Friday carrying their belongings and pets, as heavy rains from Tropical Storm Sara caused widespread flooding across the area.
        
        Sara churned menacingly near the Caribbean coast of Honduras, close to beach resorts and ancient Maya ruins popular with tourists, as the storm also took aim at neighboring Belize and Guatemala.
        
        The U.S. National Hurricane Center forecast between 15 and 25 inches of rain in northern Honduras over the next few days, with up to 35 inches striking isolated areas.
        
        Sara was located 35 miles southwest of Honduras' Guanaja island.
        
        That dangerous storm system will likely cause "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding and mudslides," according to the Miami-based center.
        
        Sara could also hit coffee production in Honduras, Central America's top producer.
        
        Over 1,000 Hondurans have sought refuge in shelters, according to officials, while the government declared a national emergency on Friday afternoon.