While communities are still stranded in devastated towns due to landslides and floods from Hurricane Eta, two weeks ago, another storm is headed their way, category 5 Hurricane Iota. Winds of 260 km/hour are expected.
Those in Nicaragua and Honduras were warned by the National Hurricane Center of catastrophic wind and life-threatening storm surges and torrential rains. Flash floods and river swells are expected.
Thousands have been evaluated and taken to shelters. The Government and relief agencies rushed to get food and supplies to areas that will likely be cut off by flooding. The shelters are way over capacity and out of food.
The indigenous Miskito and Afro-descendant inhabitants of Bilwi, Nicaragua waited for authorities to help them evacuate. They stayed through Eta but Iota is much more dangerous. Many of their homes were damaged and may now become destroyed.
Honduras has evacuated people from 10 out of the 18 parts of the country.
The Central American Bank for Economic Integration has proposed to refocus $2.5 billion to restore infrastructure and dams and construct social housing.
