Weather Woes: Tropical Depression Sara Hits Belize & Honduras

Waking up to find your home flooded, again. That's what residents in Belize and Honduras faced when Tropical Storm Sara hit. After pounding Honduras' northern coast for days, Sara weakened to a tropical depression upon reaching Belize. Experts warned of heavy rain causing flash flooding and mudslides. Sara's not done yet, though; as it moved inland, it was expected to dump up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in some areas. Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua, and Mexico's Quintana Roo state were all at risk. Back in Honduras, residents of the Potrerillos community had seen this before. They were evacuated to a school-turned-shelter, surrounded by belongings stuffed into plastic bags. This wasn't their first rodeo; storms Eta and Iota had hit them hard in 2020. Local resident Israel Martinez recalled the devastation, "This flood is minor compared to Eta and Iota. The shelter was full back then. " Northern Honduras was still in harm's way, with forecasts predicting up to 40 inches (1 meter) of rain, posing life-threatening risks. All this rain meant flooding and mudslides, causing chaos and uncertainty for those affected. It's a stark reminder of nature's unpredictable power and the importance of being prepared.