Tropical storm Nate batters Central America, heads for US, Mexico

After Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, and Hurricane Harvey, a severe tropical storm on Thursday tossed up towards the north along Central America killing at least 20 people in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras.

Weather forecasters have predicted that the storm is very much likely to intensify and take the shape of hurricane as it heads in the direction of Mexico and the United States where the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans, in particular, are making arrangements for the impact that is very much likely to be felt across the weekend.

The mayor of flood-prone New Orleans has declared a state of emergency while the governor said he would ask President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration ahead of the storm’s arrival.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica had declared a national emergency, closed schools and government offices while Nicaragua had to grapple with mudslides, washed out roads, overflowing rivers, and cut-off communities. 

Costa Rica has said that at least six people, including a three-year-old girl, died due to falling trees and mudslides while at least 15 people were missing, police said.

In Costa Rica, an alert was issued for people to be wary of crocodiles that might be roaming after rivers and estuaries flooded.

This year, some areas in the region have gotten up to 50% more rain than average for September and October.