Tropical Storm “Sara” floods Honduras, makes landfall over Belize

Tropical Storm “Sara” has caused severe flooding along Honduras’ northern coast since making landfall near Cabo Gracias a Dios on Thursday.

The system stalled over Honduras but began moving slightly faster on Saturday, November 16, after drenching the region, leading to swollen rivers and people trapped by floodwaters.

The system dropped over 500 mm (19.7 inches) of rain in some regions from Friday to Saturday, November 15 – 16.

Continued rains during this period caused intense flooding in San Pedro Sula, isolating an entire community after a river crossing was washed away due to the inundation.

Mudslides triggered by the rains have also been reported in several parts of the country.

At 06:00 UTC on November 17, the system was located roughly 120 km (74.6 miles) south-southeast of Belize, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph).

Sara made landfall over Belize around 15:00 UTC on Sunday with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 1 001 hPa.

Sara continued moving toward the west-northwest near 9 km/h (6 mph). A turn northwestward or north-northwestward with some increase in forward speed is expected through tonight.

Weakening is forecast as the storm moves further inland, and Sara is expected to become a remnant low before it opens up into a trough over the southern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula tonight or on Monday.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala, the coast of Belize and the coast of Mexico from Puerto Costa Maya southward to Chetumal

Additional rainfall amounts of 25 – 75 mm (1 – 3 inches) are expected over northern Honduras, with storm total amounts locally reaching up to 1 016 mm (40 inches). The risk of catastrophic and life-threatening flooding impacts remains significant, particularly along and near the Sierra La Esperanza.

Across portions of Belize, El Salvador, eastern Guatemala, western Nicaragua, and the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, Sara is expected to produce an additional 75 – 125 mm (3 – 5 inches) of rain, with localized storm totals reaching approximately 381 mm (15 inches). These rainfall amounts are expected to lead to flash flooding, potentially significant, and may result in mudslides.

Tropical storm conditions, particularly strong gusts, are expected in the warning areas of Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in the next several hours.

A storm surge could increase water levels by 0.3 – 0.9 m (1 – 3 feet) above ground level near and to the north of Sara’s landfall along the coast of Belize. This surge will likely be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

References:

¹ Tropical Storm Sara unleashing extreme flood, mudslides – The Weather Network – November 16, 2024

² Tropical Storm Sara drenches Honduras’ northern coast with flash flooding and mudslides in forecast – AP – November 17, 2024

³ Tropical Storm Sara Intermediate Advisory Number 14A – NHC – Issued at 06:00 UTC on November 17, 2024

⁴ Tropical Storm Sara Intermediate Advisory Number 16 – NHC – Issued at 15:00 UTC on November 17, 2024

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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