BBC News | Americas | On the trail of Mitch


Front Page
World
UK
UK Politics
Business
Sci/Tech
Health
Education
Sport
Entertainment
Talking Point



On Air Feedback Low Graphics Help

Sunday, November 1, 1998 Published at 22:17 GMT

World: Americas

On the trail of Mitch

Hanging on to a rescue rope over the Saopin River in Honduras

Mitch was upgraded to a devastating Category Five hurricane on 26 October. At its peak the hurricane was the fourth strongest Caribbean hurricane this century with 305kph winds, but caused some of the worst damage after it was downgraded to a tropical storm four days later. BBC News Online tracks its progress:

[ image: A flooded home in Managua, Nicaragua]
A flooded home in Managua, Nicaragua
Nicaragua: Heavy rains caused serious flooding in the north of the country, forcing many from their homes. On 1 November, the authorities estimated more than 500 dead, the toll continuing to rise and hundreds of thousands homeless. Nicaragua appealed for international help for flood victims. A national emergency was declared.

[ image: A house slides into Cangrejal River in Honduras]
A house slides into Cangrejal River in Honduras
Honduras: Incessant rain flooded at least 50 rivers in Honduras, knocking out bridges and roads and inundating many towns. More than 200 people estimated to have died, and tens of thousands have left their homes. President Carlos Flores declared a state of emergency after cutting short a trip to the capital when floodwaters threatened to sweep his presidential limousine away.

El Salvador: More than 60 people have been killed and 17,000 are homeless. The west of the country is worst hit with many communities cut off and under water.

[ image: Paddling around an inundated town in Costa Rica]
Paddling around an inundated town in Costa Rica
Mexico: High winds and rain battered the country's beaches on 28 October, with Cancun being the hardest hit. Holidaymakers left in droves.

Costa Rica: Floodwaters inundated towns in the northeast of Costa Rica and 3,500 people were evacuated from low-lying areas.

[ image: Firefighters evacuate people at risk in Guatemala]
Firefighters evacuate people at risk in Guatemala
Belize: Most of Belize City's population was evacuated on 28 October as rains intensified. Security forces were deployed to prevent looting.

Guatemala: The hurricane's winds dropped but coastal areas were evacuated as the storm winds and rain remained dangerous.

[ image: Tourists leave Cuba as Mitch approaches]
Tourists leave Cuba as Mitch approaches
Cuba: By 27 October, Cuban authorities had evacuated 500 tourists and workers from islands off the south coast as heavy winds and high seas began to be felt.

Panama: One death was reported as flood waters rose on 27 October.

[ image: Jamaicans stock up on food in case of emergency]
Jamaicans stock up on food in case of emergency
Jamaica:Hurricane warnings were lifted for Jamaica and eastern Cuba as Mitch moved west on 26 October, but heavy rain still battered Jamaica. Defence forces were put on alert as sheets of rain reduced visibility to a few yards. Flooding in Kingston forced churches to cancel Sunday services and several airlines stopped flights.