Tropical Storm Sara forecast update comes as hurricane center warns of ‘life-threatening and devastating flooding’

Tropical Storm Sara The National Hurricane Center warned that it could cause “life-threatening and potentially catastrophic” flash flooding in parts of Central America.

The storm, which reached speeds of up to 50 miles per hour, reached Honduras on Thursday, with up to 30 inches of rain expected in isolated parts of the region and 15-20 inches elsewhere in the coming days. The storm is also expected to affect Guatemala, Belize and Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula over the weekend.

“These rainfalls will lead to large areas of life-threatening and potentially devastating flooding and landslides, especially along and near the Sierra La Esperanza,” the National Hurricane Center said. Sierra La Esperanza is a mountain in the northern part of Honduras.

The storm surge could raise water levels along the northern coast of Honduras by up to three meters above normal tide levels and by the same amount above ground level near and north of where Sara’s center crosses the coast of Belize.

After initially reaching Honduras on Thursday, Sara returned to the Caribbean overnight and by Friday morning was located just south of the island of Roatan, a small-scale tourist destination. Forecasters say it will continue its path northwest across many Central American countries through the weekend.

In its latest update Friday afternoon, the hurricane center said the storm was located about 170 miles (270 kilometers) southeast of Belize City and moving west at 2 miles (4 km) per hour with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (85 km). .

The tropical storm warning is in effect from Belize City to the Belize-Guatemala border, as well as the Gulf Islands of Honduras, the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala and the northern coast of Honduras. Tropical storm conditions will be experienced in Guatemala and Belize starting on Saturday.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area.

The hurricane center said slight strengthening was possible as long as Sara remained offshore. The storm is expected to shift northwestward and drench Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula late Sunday into Monday morning.

Mexican authorities warned It was stated that the storm could cause heavy rains in the Yucatan Peninsula, which is full of resorts.

But the United States may be spared the impact of the storm. The hurricane center and other forecasters had previously warned of Sara. Could potentially impact FloridaIt is now believed that after passing the Yucatan, the weather system will not re-emerge into the Gulf of Mexico.

“What was left of the system when it emerged into the Bay of Campeche Gulf of Mexico “The center is not very suitable for restructuring,” he said.

With a report from the Associated Press