Location: Guatemala, country wide.
Event: STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO TROPICAL DEPRESSION ETA: The President of Guatemala has declared a state of emergency to the departments of Quiché, Petén, Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa and Alta Verapaz, due to the floods and landslides caused by Tropical Depression Eta.
Guatemala can expect extended, heavy rainfall through Monday, November 9, with increased risk of flooding, landslides, damage to the road network, and rising rivers. Central Guatemala is forecast to receive 15 to 20 inches (381 to 508 mm) of rainfall, with isolated amounts of up to 30 inches (762 mm) over eastern-central parts of the country. Flash flooding, river flooding and landslides are highly likely in areas of heaviest rainfall. Other parts of Guatemala can expect to receive at least 3-15 inches (76 to 381 mm) of total rainfall.
Actions to Take:
o Avoid traveling while heavy rains occur as roads can quickly become extremely unsafe.
o Visit CONRED (Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres) and INSIVUMEH (Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología) websites for updated weather and hazard information.
o Navigation devices and applications that provide directions and traffic and route suggestions should be used with caution as certain detours or alternate routes from main roads and highways can lead to unsafe areas or roads affected by flooding or landslides.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City https://gt.usembassy.gov
Tel. (502) 2326-4000
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
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