Category 4 Storm ‘Iota’ Hit Nicaragua
Central American countries have been hit by a massive tropical storm named “Storm Iota” with a rating of Category 4, with Nicaragua being hit the worst in the area. This storm is not just one to hit Nicaragua the worst, it is also one that is being considered the strongest to ever hit the Central American country in its entire history. Storm Iota has recently been downgraded from the status of a hurricane level to a tropical storm, but the destruction caused by it is still being calculated with shelters being prepared and filled to the brim with those who have lost their homes in the process.
According to CNN’s ongoing reporting on the weather conditions in Nicaragua and surrounding Central American countries and islands, six people have been reported by the Nicaraguan Vice President Rosario Murrillo to have lost their lives so far with 4 of them being adults and two being minors. Over 400,000 Nicaraguans have been affected by the storm that reached wind speeds of up to 155 mph. About 62,000 of the affected have already been moved to 638 government set-up shelters.
Reporting for other CA countries states that communication is practically weak to non-existent in the aftermath of the storm Iota with some cities facing blackouts due to fallen electrical cables including Bilwi (Puerto Cabezas). Meanwhile, two further people have lost their lives in Columbia with one still missing, according to Ivan Duque, the president of Columbia. Despite the storm decreasing in strength and despite it traveling away from the island countries, the destruction caused is still being calculated with efforts being made to minimize and contain the damage. This storm, unfortunately, was a follower of a recent tropical Storm Eta that affected Cuba, the Bahaman islands, southern Florida, and Florida Keys, which means that the areas did not get to recover from one destructive weather occurrence before the next reached the area.
It should be taken into consideration that since the wildfires that broke out all over the globe since early this year, these storms came after quite a while and thus are causing massive damage to areas over the Equatorial belt. This is a public service announcement from the team of Media Quotient Inc. to remain vigilant and careful whenever stepping outdoors, and to continue to follow social distancing protocols and safety recommendations when socializing.
Credit: AP Photo/Delmer Martinez
