Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

World + 9 more

14 October 2014: Latin America – Earthquake – Severe Weather

Attachments

NICARAGUA - EARTHQUAKE

• An earthquake of magnitude 7.3M and depth 40km occurred off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, on 14 October, 3.51 UTC.

• A Tsunami Threat message was issued on 4.11 UTC by the PTWC, for the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador up to 300km from the epicentre. JRC calculations indicate a possible tsunami generation of up to 0.1m in the northern coast of Chinandega. The Tsunami warning was discontinued at 4.35 UTC.

• As of 14 October, local media report some damage in the municipality of El Viejo, Chinandega, while there was one death in the city of San Miguel, El Salvador, and temporary power outages in both Honduras and El Salvador.

• ECHO is liaising with the authorities and humanitarian networks of the region.

NICARAGUA – SEVERE WEATHER

• Heavy rains caused damage in the last few days in parts of Nicaragua. One person died, two were injured, 6 112 were affected and at least 813 sought refuge in 17 shelters. About 1 000 houses were affected and power lines were damaged on the Ometepe Island. The rains are expected to continue over the following days. Authorities are responding and providing assistance.

CARIBBEAN ISLANDS - TROPICAL CYCLONE GONZALO

• GONZALO strengthened into a Hurricane late on 13 October, while it was moving through the northern Lesser Antilles, and in the morning (UTC) of 14 October it passed north-east of the British Virgin Islands. Then it started moving over the open Atlantic Ocean, away from the Caribbean islands.

• As of 14 October, 12.00 UTC, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for St.
Martin and St. Barthélemy.

• In the next 48 h it is forecast to continue moving north-west over open water.

• As of 14 October (media), three people were reported missing (two in St.
Barthélemy, one in Saint-Martin).

• National Disaster Offices are operational with notification of volunteers and shelters ready to be opened. Airports have been closed and ferries suspended until further notice. National Emergency Operations centres were activated.

• ECHO Santo Domingo is in contact with partners in the field (RC, PAHO,
UNDP) and will continue to monitor the evolving situation and provide updates as necessary.