Heavy rains cause flooding and mudslides in parts of the country

The General Directorate of Civil Protection instituted a nationwide yellow alert level as a result of heavy rains that have struck the coastal zones of El Salvador. Authorities report that the rains will likely cause significant waves to strike the communities of La Libertad (18.5 ft/5.5 m), La Paz and San Vicente (17.5 ft/5.0 m) and Sonsonate and Ahuachapan (16.0 ft/5.0 m). On the southeastern coast, authorities expect waves of 16.0 ft/5.0m and winds of up to 30 mph/26 kt. The heavy rains have also caused flooding and sporadic mudslides in coastal areas, leading authorities to order the suspension of all tourist and commercial activity. The U.S.-based National Center for Hurricanes projects that the low-pressure system causing the rains in El Salvador has a 50 percent chance of converting into a tropical storm in the next 48 hours. The system has also resulted in flooding and evacuations in western areas of Nicaragua as well as moderate to heavy rains in Guatemala.