Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Otto to threaten Central America with flooding, mudslides and damaging winds

By , AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist
November 23,2016; 8:37PM,EST
 
 
Otto, currently a Category 1 hurricane over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, will threaten part of Central America with flooding, mudslides and damaging winds this week.
Otto is roughly 150 miles just off the coasts of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and was beginning to drift toward the west. It became the seventh hurricane of the season Tuesday afternoon. Minor fluctuations in strength will occur prior to the system making landfall.
This is a live loop of the southwestern Caribbean. (NOAA/Satellite)
Otto will drift inland over Central America later this week, according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
RELATED:
AccuWeather Hurricane Center
How GOES-R will help to revolutionize weather forecasting
6 ways to prepare now for hurricanes

"Steering winds will cause Otto to take a general westerly path during the middle and later part of this week, which will bring the storm inland over southeastern Nicaragua or northeastern Costa Rica around the middle of the day on Thursday," Kottlowski said.
This graphic shows the most likely path of movement of the center of Otto. Stormy conditions will extend out beyond the center.
The storm is likely to move ashore about 150 miles west of the Panama Canal.
Otto is expected to remain a Category 1 hurricane as it makes landfall.
Should Otto make landfall in this part of Central America, it will be the latest ever for such an occurrence, according to Kottlowski.
"If Otto makes landfall in Costa Rica as a hurricane, it will also be a first for any time of the year," Kottlowski stated. "On record, only one tropical storm made landfall in Costa Rica but never a hurricane."
Otto to threaten lives and property from Panama to Honduras, El Salvador
Seas and surf will build to dangerous levels over the southwestern Caribbean Sea.
Large ships approaching the Panama Canal should be prepared for rough seas and closely monitor the strength and path of Otto. Small craft, such as fishing vessels in the region should remain in port.
Some coastal inundation will occur near and north of the landfall of the eye.

Areas from central Panama to southern Honduras and El Salvador will be at an elevated risk for life-threatening flash and urban flooding and mudslides.
The storm has already been blamed for three deaths in Panama, the Associated Press reported. Two people were killed in landslides, while a child died after a tree fell on a car.
Winds will be strong enough near the center of the storm and in clusters of thunderstorms farther away from the center to cause sporadic property damage and power outages later this week.
Because of the slow movement of the storm, there will also be the risk of river flooding in the region.
People should not attempt to drive though flooded roads and be prepared to move to higher ground as the situation warrants.
Otto will weaken crossing the mountainous terrain of Central America.
However, the circulation center of the storm may survive into the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Over the eastern Pacific, if the old center holds on, then Otto will retain its name. However, if the center of Otto diminishes, but a new center develops, then a new name will be given to the storm.


Byron Rafael Larios Alemán ·
Managua, it started to rain, tomorrow is the day, where we live...
John Oroszi ·
Here in Quepos, Costa Rica's Central Pacific... actually nice weather so far....
Like · Reply · 1 · 6 hrs
Hachi Ko ·
I lived in the USA for many years, and it's funny watching the reaction of people here in Costa Rica. I'm not making fun of them. I'm sure that the people living where I grew up would have the same reaction if something with which they had no experience occurred. Everybody seems to be aware of the danger, but the response is "awkward." Fortunately, the vital issues are being taken care of smartly. The coastal and low-lying areas in the projected path have already been evacuated. If anything, people here in San José are overreacting, which seems a little funny but is better than the other way around.

I am deeply sad for those in Panama who have already lost their lives and hope that we can avoid that here. The big dangers in Costa Rica are:

1. A lot of steep terrain with no protective vegetative cover. Mudslides are a given.

2. Buildings that can't withstand high winds.
Hachi Ko ·
Slight Correction: Costa Rica has never had a documented technical hit (storm center or eye) by any tropical storm, although it has been affected by several storms. Perhaps the author is thinking of Alma, which had a major impact on Guanacaste, but technically made landfall in Nicaragua. Just a trivial matter, but I thought I'd bring it up anyway.
Lourdes Del Cid ·
I live in Panama, in the city of David, Province of Chiriquí. The president of my country raised the alert and we are being ordered to move to our jobs from tomorrow. I work in rural area and in the risk zone of green color. I am a teacher and I have students who have to go down mountains with poor roads. It has not stopped raining. In God I trust.
Like · Reply · 1 · 10 hrs
Jane Stafford
A little scared here, used to prairie storms and the odd tornado or t-warning. Have had 1 cat 5 and the odd smaller one in the capital region, but most have been rural. Glad we are above ground.
Lalitha Ram ·
people...Take care...Stay safe
Like · Reply · 2 · 20 hrs
Tim Davey ·
Wind speeds please/ Even sustained would be informative.
Like · Reply · 1 · 20 hrs
Michael James Gudat ·
Otto, appears to be a bullying hombre of a storm
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 hrs
Pat Ch
It is a bit low for a hurricane. But long over due. In the old days it would be a mere tropical storm. I doubt the eye will even be perceived at ground level.
Ja Busse ·
what will be felt is the rain. I wouldn't want to be in the east slope region about now. The road today may be the avalanche tomorrow. We have lived down here since 2000 and are constantly amazed at the amount of avalanches in a normal year.
Like · Reply · 2 · 22 hrs
Pat Ch
Ja Busse
I went ti Claremont Graduate.
Like · Reply · 14 hrs
Bill Jones
I hope it doesn't destroy Nicaragua's tobacco crops.
Sam Streetmaker ·
Works at Retired
Oh my, oh dear, it must be man made global climate warming change! Kind of makes you wonder who caused the lush verdant North Africa to become the Sahara desert in less than 200 years. But, wait, that was five thousand five hundred years ago. That was probably caused by the "Man Made Stone Tool Revolution."
Nils Volkmar Hammerbeck
Since you're trying to understand climate change from a historical timeline persepctive, scroll through this...it's quite educational...

https://xkcd.com/1732/
Like · Reply · 11 hrs
Sam Streetmaker ·
Works at Retired
Nils Volkmar Hammerbeck NICE! Check samstreetmaker.com and search for "slimate"
Like · Reply · 3 hrs
Eric McLaughlin ·
Jaco beach looked flat when I was there with killer contiuous surf. It's going to spill right into the Beatle Bar
Michael Esworthy ·
Tropical weather in the tropics? Alert the media!
Mark Rasmussen ·
Actually at that low of latitude, near the equator, hurricanes are very unusual. I think it is because the coriolis effect isn't strong enough to get them rotating, which is needed to build into a hurricane.
Like · Reply · 5 · Nov 22, 2016 10:34pm
Hachi Ko ·
Mark Rasmussen Yep. I live here. This could be -- really -- history in the making. There is no record of a hurricane or tropical storm ever making landfall in Costa Rica.
Like · Reply · 8 hrs
Larry Wheeler ·
WELL YOU ARE ABOUT TO MAKE SOME HISTORY...GET THE CHAMPAGNE GLASSES OUT HOMBRE
Like · Reply · 7 hrs
John Chaffe ·
Hurricane Martha....November 24, 1969.....Panama. Not unprecendented.
Michael Lomax ·
Martha arrived in Costa Rica as aTropical Storm. First ever will be Otto if in fact it stays on track as expected. 1st hurricane ever to hit landfall in recorded history for CR. Would be unprecedented.
Like · Reply · 2 · Nov 23, 2016 12:49am
Ja Busse ·
Michael Lomax They are counting only the eye as a hit. Once every ten years or so CR gets hit by a hurricane. Maybe not the eye but it is such a small country the eye doesn't really matter. Lots of damage predicted. We live 6000 feet elevation dead center of the country and have some fear going now. Avalanches are the big one. Water, rivers not so bad but when the whole mountain goes flat there is nothing that can be done.
Like · Reply · 22 hrs
John Chaffe ·
Michael Lomax Sorry, but I doubt it will be a hurricane or that the eye will even hit Costa Rica. The storm peaked at 75 MPH, whereas Martha peaked at 90 MPH. Both got sheared before landfall. Martha never hit Costa Rica directly. It came ashore in Panama as a 50 MPH tropical storm. The eye matters. Winds tend to drop off rapidly outside the eye wall, particularly in small, compact storms such as this one.
Like · Reply · 15 hrs
Shane Power
Great more fuel for the global warming nuts.
Roger David Blakemore ·
global weather change, do you know than 99% of scientists or the 1% who work fo the coal and oil industry.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 23, 2016 1:23am
Shane Power
I have no idea what point you are trying to get across and i'm going to assume its to counter my view on GW so save it.
Like · Reply · 19 hrs
Nils Volkmar Hammerbeck
https://xkcd.com/1732/ a little historical context
Like · Reply · 11 hrs
Kathleen Withers
I was on a cruise in the western Caribbean last week and the last 2 days the sea was soooo rough they could not even put on the show at night. The ship was rocking sooo bad I felt sorry for the waiters at dinner. Now I know why! I bet this storm was brewing then, which was Friday and Saturday.
Winston Lawson ·
panama central provinces and panama city metropolitan area got hit with heavy rains for two days causing flooding and landslides. the major cities on the atlantic caribbean coast (Colon,bocas del toro and herrera) are brassing for heavy winds and rain tonight. Emergency messures are anounced people are asked to remain in their homes.
Ann Geiser ·
What about hurricane Mitch back in 1998? I was there on my honeymoon during it. There was evacuations. Everything was closed and it rained for days.
Eline Cointepas ·
My daughter is there now and itm akes me realize how scary it can be. I pray for all of you. Be Safe!
Larry Wheeler ·
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES YOU GUYS ARE IN FOR A ROUGH 24 HOURS...STAY INSIDE!!!!!!!!!
Like · Reply · 7 hrs
Kris Spell
Get to high ground, get 3-4 days food/water stored, and shelter in interior walled rooms without windows. Worst part of storm is the eastern side.
Lorena Libreros ·
Works at Wyndham Rewards
I I live in Costa Rica and it will be the first Hurricane ever to land to us. I hope God help us and protect us..... Everybody is Scare cause we do not know what will happen..... Pray for us
James Durkin ·
Works at Self-Employed
We'll say a prayer for you!
Like · Reply · 6 · Nov 22, 2016 6:18pm
Lorena Libreros ·
Works at Wyndham Rewards
Thank you very much, God Bless you!!!!!
Like · Reply · Nov 22, 2016 8:32pm
Julian Helms ·
Lorena Libreros
God Bless you,we will be praying and sending help from USA
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 22, 2016 9:37pm
Tito Kuelap
Inundaciones trae la Tormenta Tropical Otto, en el Golfo de Mexico
Orlando Redwood ·
tinen que buscar refugios y cuidarse de los objetos sueltos cerca de su casas se convierten en projectiles los techos de las casas tambien alejarse de las ventanas de vidrio
Mao Lee Xio ·
guys, people live in Costa Rica, isn't just a vacation inconvenience :-(
Audem J. Gonzales ·
Cancelled my ten day Thanksgiving holiday in Costa Rica!.... Thanks Otto!
Tanya Liu ·
Also have a Thanksgiving trip planned. Still debating whether to cancel or not..
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 22, 2016 2:02pm
Alvaro Villalobos
Tanya Liu depends on what part or CR is your trip. I live here and the area with more risk is the caribean cost
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 22, 2016 6:01pm
Audem J. Gonzales ·
I don't wanna deal with flooding and power outages or landslides! Dangerous! I rebooked for spring.
Like · Reply · 1 · Nov 22, 2016 7:01pm
Wayne Harrison ·
Take it from a retired web news editor: If you're going to have the same video (Hurricanes) in the story everyday, DON'T put it at the TOP of the story everyday. It's the first thing people see. Put the latest map at the top of the story instead. That's what they are looking for.
Yorgo Pitilos ·
Agreed
Like · Reply · 3 · Nov 22, 2016 9:35am


No comments:

Post a Comment