Hurricane Julia Makes Landfall in Nicaragua and Colombia, Brings Torrential Rainfall

After Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian destroyed homes in Cuba, Florida, and North Carolina, Hurricane Julia hit the Americas and, this time, in Nicaragua and parts of Colombia.

According to the Associated Press, this new hurricane hit Nicaragua's central Caribbean coast on Sunday. It poured torrential rains across Central America and is expected to reemerge over the Pacific.

Julia hit the Americas as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). As it pushed through Nicaragua, its winds became a bit weaker to a tropical storm force of 50 mph (85 kph).

Hurricane Julia Blows Off Roofs in Colombia, Evacuations Happening in Nicaragua

San Andres Island in Colombia was one of the first areas to feel Hurricane Julia's fury. The Colombian National Disaster Agency reported that the hurricane blew off the roofs of several houses as it passed through the Colombian island. It also managed to knock over several trees.

According to Accuweather, the damage was only light on San Andres Island and nearby Providencia Island. Before the hurricane hit, Colombia President Gustavo Petro had already announced that the government had prepared several shelters already. They also imposed curfews as the storm began approaching on Saturday.

In Nicaragua, local media showed images of trees toppled across roads and flooding. Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is also the first lady to President Daniel Ortega, released a statement and said there had been no reported deaths so far.

Nicaragua also experienced power outages, and communications were cut in several areas. According to the vice president, around 9,500 people were also being evacuated into shelters. The Guardian reported that all types of vessels were ordered to seek safe harbor.

Nicaraguan soldiers were also deployed to evacuate inhabitants of several Nicaraguan islands around Sandy Bay Sirpi. A total of 118 temporary shelters were set up, with humanitarian supplies already delivered by the military to areas such as Bluefields and Laguna de Perlas.

Flash Flood and Mudslide Warnings in Other Parts of Central America Due to Hurricane Julia

Hurricane Julia is expected to bring not just problems for Nicaragua and Colombia but also in other parts of the Americas. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said life-threatening flash floods and mudslide warnings were possible in Central America and southern Mexico through Tuesday.

The storm is expected to emerge on the coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala, which have already suffered weeks of heavy rainfall. In Guatemala, at least 49 people have been confirmed dead, with six missing, due to landslides and severe flooding. Guatemalan officials have also confirmed that roads and hundreds of homes have been damaged due to the heavy rain.

In El Salvador, things are also not as good, as 19 people have been confirmed dead in this rainy season alone. Fernando Lopez, the minister of environmental and natural resources, said the worst rainfall is expected on Monday and Tuesday. El Salvadoran officials have now opened 61 shelters and are expected to hold over 3,000 evacuees.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Hurricane Julia Makes Landfall in Nicaragua - From First Coast News