Hurricane Eta: Three dead in Nicaragua and many fishers crying for help

Hurricane Eta tore rooftops from homes, caused massive flooding and avalanches as it pounded the coastline of Nicaragua and nearby Honduras on Tuesday. There are reports that at least three people have died and dozens of fishers are in peril.

The deceased include a 13-year-old girl who died in a landslide at home in Honduras. Robin Morales, a representative of the local population, stated that about 60 fishermen were trapped and in danger in the eastern Mosquitia region of Honduras.

He added that fishermen “survive drifting at sea crying for help”, Morales said, adding that Honduran Navy authorities advised him it was currently too risky to initiate a rescue operation.

“If they aren’t rescued, I don’t think these people will remain alive for more than 24 hours,” Morales said.

Eta is being referred to as one of the most powerful storms to hit Central America in years, ploughed into Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale.

The hurricane made landfall in Nicaragua on Tuesday by battering roads and bridges in Honduras. The government evacuated thousands of people making all shelters full.

Barreling aground south of the port of Puerto Cabezas, Eta was suspected of causing “destructive” wind blows as the eye of the hurricane moved inward along the northeastern coast of Nicaragua, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced.

National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that when the Hurricane Eta struck the coast, its blowing potential was devastating with winds of 140 miles per hours. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves inland.

As per reports, by 9 pm local time, Eta was just a Category 2 storm resulting in gusts of 105 mph as it was moving through Nicaragua with 45 miles west-southwest of Puerto Cabezas said the National Hurricane Center.

Vice President Rosario Murillo stated that the initial damages caused by Eta suspect to be less than feared.