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Felix slams into Central America Felix slams into Central America
(30 minutes later)
Hurricane Felix has made landfall in north-east Nicaragua as a category five storm - the strongest of its kind.Hurricane Felix has made landfall in north-east Nicaragua as a category five storm - the strongest of its kind.
The storm has the potential to cause "catastrophic damage", says the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.The storm has the potential to cause "catastrophic damage", says the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.
Thousands have been fleeing coastal areas ahead of the storm, but many indigenous people are said to be stranded on the Honduran border.Thousands have been fleeing coastal areas ahead of the storm, but many indigenous people are said to be stranded on the Honduran border.
Felix, with winds of 260km/h (160mph), is the second category five storm to hit the region in less than a month.Felix, with winds of 260km/h (160mph), is the second category five storm to hit the region in less than a month.
It is the first time two category five hurricanes have hit land in a season since 1886, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.It is the first time two category five hurricanes have hit land in a season since 1886, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The NHC had earlier downgraded the storm, but later said it was strengthening again. There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses Puerto Cabezas official, Lumberto Campbell
href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1188911489/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1188911489/html/1.stm', '1188911531', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=378,left=312,top=100'); return false;">View path of Hurricane Felix in more detail href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1188911489/html/1.stm" onClick="window.open('http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/africa_enl_1188911489/html/1.stm', '1188911531', 'toolbar=0,scrollbars=0,location=0,statusbar=0,menubar=0,resizable=1,width=416,height=378,left=312,top=100'); return false;" >Enlarge Map The NHC said the storm could dump up to 30cm (12in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides. The NHC had earlier downgraded the storm, but later said it had strengthened again.
At 1200 GMT on Tuesday, the eye of the hurricane was located on the coast west or very near Punta Gorda, Nicaragua, about 15km (10 miles) north-north-east of Puerto Cabezas and moving westward at 16mph (26km/h). The NHC said the storm could dump up to 30cm (12in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides.
Second hurricane
At 1200 GMT on Tuesday, the eye of the hurricane was located on the coast west of or very near Punta Gorda, Nicaragua, about 15km (10 miles) north-north-east of Puerto Cabezas and moving westward at 16mph (26km/h).
The Associated Press news agency quoted a local official in Puerto Cabezas, Lumberto Campbell, who gave an interview to local radio station Radio Ya describing the effect as the hurricane hit:
View path of Hurricane Felix in more detailEnlarge Map "The wind is terrible. There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses," Mr Campbell was quoted as saying.
"There's no electricity because all the posts that hold up the cables have fallen down.
"The metal roofs come off like shaving knives and are sent flying against the trees and homes," he said before the telephone line went dead.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette has reached hurricane strength as it heads for Mexico's Baja California peninsula.Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette has reached hurricane strength as it heads for Mexico's Baja California peninsula.
It caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco at the weekend that killed six people.It caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco at the weekend that killed six people.
The storm is currently 185km (115 miles) south-east the peninsula and is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon.The storm is currently 185km (115 miles) south-east the peninsula and is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon.
Flooding fearsFlooding fears
Hurricane Felix developed in the Caribbean just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed 18 people in the region.Hurricane Felix developed in the Caribbean just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed 18 people in the region.
"There could be serious damage and material, like human, losses, if people do not take precautionary measures," said Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.
His Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega said he was cutting short a visit to Panama, to lead emergency efforts.
Thousands of people on Aruba took shelter from the storm Trail of destruction Animated guide: Hurricanes Readers' hurricane updates Preparing for Hurricane FelixThousands of people on Aruba took shelter from the storm Trail of destruction Animated guide: Hurricanes Readers' hurricane updates Preparing for Hurricane Felix
Despite the hurricane being extremely powerful, winds are confined relatively close to the eye of the storm, says BBC meteorologist John Hammond. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has decided to cut short a visit to Panama to lead emergency efforts.
Hundreds of tourists have been evacuated from the islands of Honduras, while both Honduras and Nicaragua have been evacuating Miskito Indians who live along the coast on either side of the border.Hundreds of tourists have been evacuated from the islands of Honduras, while both Honduras and Nicaragua have been evacuating Miskito Indians who live along the coast on either side of the border.
But there are reports of transport shortages, and many of the indigenous population are thought to be stranded.But there are reports of transport shortages, and many of the indigenous population are thought to be stranded.
A storm surge of six metres (18 feet) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps.A storm surge of six metres (18 feet) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps.
"There's nowhere to go here," teacher Sodeida Rodriguez, 26, told the Associated Press news agency. MISKITO INDIANS Indigenous people of Central AmericaLive in lowlands along Nicaragua's Caribbean coast, also in Honduras, BelizeOverall population estimated at 150,000 Culture influenced by contact with Europeans since mid-17th Century, inter-marriage with escaped Africans slaves Communities extremely poor, mainly subsistence agriculture
"There's nowhere to go here," teacher Sodeida Rodriguez, 26, told AP news agency.
In Belize, people were said to be stocking up on emergency supplies and boarding up windows.In Belize, people were said to be stocking up on emergency supplies and boarding up windows.
On Sunday, Felix struck Aruba and two of the Netherlands Antilles islands near Venezuela - Bonaire and Curacao - but damage appeared slight.On Sunday, Felix struck Aruba and two of the Netherlands Antilles islands near Venezuela - Bonaire and Curacao - but damage appeared slight.
The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Felix demolished a concert venue when it hit Grenada on Saturday.The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Felix demolished a concert venue when it hit Grenada on Saturday.
The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to peak on 10 September.The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to peak on 10 September.
Are you in Nicaragua or any of the other countries in the path of Hurricane Felix? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:Are you in Nicaragua or any of the other countries in the path of Hurricane Felix? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below:
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