First named storm of 2010 Pacific hurricane season hits central America

According to modeling company RMS, Agatha was associated with torrential rainfall which triggered flash flooding and landslides to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and southern Mexico as it tracked inland. A State of Emergency was declared in parts of all four countries over the weekend as initial reports of death tolls vary from around 80 to 125. Guatemala's Emergency Management Agency reported a national death toll of 90 on Monday, 31 May.

The National Hurricane Centre reported that Agatha brought rainfall accumulations of 10 to 20 inches (250 to 500 mm), to the western regions of Guatemala, with isolated accumulations of 30 inches (760 mm). Local media reports indicate that 94,000 people were evacuated across the country. According to the modeling firm, mudslides have also been reported across the region, where a mudslide devastated an entire neighborhood in the Guatemalan town of San Antonio Palopo, 90 miles (150km) southeast of the capital. Closer to the capital a highway bridge was swept away in flood waters, whilst in Guatemala City itself sinkholes have opened up - in the northern part of the capital a sinkhole extending over a street intersection opened up. Guatemala's main airport has been closed, although closure here has been attributed in the main to volcanic ash as oppose to the Agatha RMS. Of particular economic concern in Guatemala (and in El Salvador) is the condition of the coffee crop which was affected by particularly heavy rain, the modeling company noted.

Agatha dissipated on early on Sunday but as of Tuesday heavy rain is forecast for the region over the next few days as a south westerly brings flow of moisture from over the Pacific Ocean.

This story was originally published by Reinsurance