Eta Kills At Least 57 in Central America
The National Hurricane Center estimates Hurricane Eta, which made landfall as a Cat 4 storm, dropped up to 40 inches of rain on Central America.
Shades of Harvey; Up to 40 Inches of Rain
This Associated Press story, datelined San Pedro Sula, in Honduras, brought tears to my eyes. The 20 pictures reminded me of Hurricane Harvey.
- A pregnant woman in pain being carried to safety in waist deep water.
- Families carrying crying babies on shoulders and hips.
- Dazed elderly women and men.
- Bewildered pets.
- Streets and homes flooded in waist deep water.
- People stranded on rooftops.
- Rescue boats without motors struggling against currents.
- Evacuees carrying belongings in plastic bags and baskets to higher ground.
- The rescued, sleeping in pup tents.
Food Supply Jeopardized
Food supply is a real concern according to aid workers. “The country’s road network is badly damaged, airports were closed and much of the Sula valley, the country’s most agriculturally productive, was flooded,” said the story.
Sanitation will be a real issue, too. People are already struggling with Covid.
Landslides Bury Towns
In Guatemala, a landslide in the central part of the country hit the town of San Cristobal Verapaz, burying homes and leaving at least 25 dead. At least another 50 people were missing in two more slides. And government rescue teams had not yet reached the sites.
The impacts of Eta will be as far-reaching and long lasting as Harvey’s. But the people in Central America have far fewer resources to help them recover.
The International Monetary Fund lists the gross domestic product per capita of Honduras at $6,068 dollars. Nicaragua is even less – $5,681.
Please help if you can through your favorite relief organization.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 11/6/2020 based on an AP story
1165 Days since Hurricane Harvey
