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Felix slams into Central America | Felix slams into Central America |
(19 minutes later) | |
Hurricane Felix has hit Nicaragua's north coast as a category five storm, the highest level, but weakened to a category two as it moved over land. | Hurricane Felix has hit Nicaragua's north coast as a category five storm, the highest level, but weakened to a category two as it moved over land. |
Winds of 160mph (260km/h) lashed coastal areas, tearing off roofs and uprooting trees and electricity lines. | Winds of 160mph (260km/h) lashed coastal areas, tearing off roofs and uprooting trees and electricity lines. |
Thousands have fled the area, but many indigenous people are said to be stranded on the Honduran border. | Thousands have fled the area, but many indigenous people are said to be stranded on the Honduran border. |
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette reached hurricane strength as it hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula. | Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette reached hurricane strength as it hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula. |
name="story"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map showing the two hurricanes' paths | |
The Mexican government declared a state of emergency in the southern region popular with tourists, as the storm's top winds increased to 85mph (140km/h). | The Mexican government declared a state of emergency in the southern region popular with tourists, as the storm's top winds increased to 85mph (140km/h). |
The category one hurricane was expected to cross Mexico's northern deserts before reaching the south-western US states late on Thursday. | The category one hurricane was expected to cross Mexico's northern deserts before reaching the south-western US states late on Thursday. |
Henriette caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco at the weekend that killed six people. One woman drowned in high surf in Cabo San Lucas on Monday. | Henriette caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco at the weekend that killed six people. One woman drowned in high surf in Cabo San Lucas on Monday. |
Emergency efforts | Emergency efforts |
Felix is the second category five storm to hit the region in less than a month. Two weeks ago, Hurricane Dean killed 18 people. | Felix is the second category five storm to hit the region in less than a month. Two weeks ago, Hurricane Dean killed 18 people. |
There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses Lumberto CampbellPuerto Cabezas official class="" href="/1/hi/sci/tech/4588149.stm">Animated guide: Hurricanes class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/6977868.stm">Readers' hurricane updates 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. | |
There have been no reports of any fatalities from Felix. | There have been no reports of any fatalities from Felix. |
However, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm could dump up to 64cm (25in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides. | However, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm could dump up to 64cm (25in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides. |
A local official in Puerto Cabezas, Lumberto Campbell, who gave an interview to local radio station Radio Ya, described the storm. | A local official in Puerto Cabezas, Lumberto Campbell, who gave an interview to local radio station Radio Ya, described the storm. |
"The wind is terrible. There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses," Mr Campbell was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. | "The wind is terrible. There's a roaring when it pulls the roofs off the houses," Mr Campbell was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying. |
"There's no electricity because all the posts that hold up the cables have fallen down. | "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. | "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. |
Flooding fears | Flooding fears |
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has decided to cut short a visit to Panama to lead emergency efforts. | Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has decided to cut short a visit to Panama to lead emergency efforts. |
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 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. | 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 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 (18ft) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps. | A storm surge of six metres (18ft) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps. |
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. |
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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: |
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |