Tropical Storm Sara has stalled over Honduras, unleashing heavy rainfall across the northern coast of the Central American nation and causing rivers to swell. The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre has warned of potential life-threatening flash floods and mudslides throughout the weekend.
Continuous rain fell overnight into the morning in San Pedro Sula, where no immediate signs of severe flooding were observed. Residents recalled the devastating impacts of the November 2020 hurricane season, which saw two powerful storms displace hundreds of thousands and inflict extensive damage.
Carlos Canelas, a local resident, reported that many, including his 77-year-old mother, disregarded evacuation orders in the Flor de Cuba neighborhood. By Saturday morning, she was isolated from the city as a river crossing collapsed, leaving her at home with her 35-year-old son who has special needs.
The storm made landfall late Thursday, approximately 105 miles (165 kilometers) west-northwest of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the Honduras-Nicaragua border. The Hurricane Centre anticipates that Sara will approach the Bay Islands of Honduras on Saturday before moving towards Belize.
It is expected to turn northwesterly towards Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, although forecasters suggest it may not re-enter the Gulf after crossing the Yucatan. Despite the adverse weather, a Concacaf Nations League match proceeded in San Pedro Sula on Friday, where Mexico lost 2-0 to Honduras amidst heavy rain.
In November 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota devastated northern Honduras, producing torrential rains that caused significant flooding and displacement. The Hurricane Centre indicated that storm surge could elevate water levels along Honduras's northern coast by up to three feet (one meter) above normal, accompanied by large and destructive waves.
This surge could raise water levels by as much as one to three feet above ground level near and north of where Sara crosses the coast of Belize.