Location: Guatemala, country wide.
Event: CONTINUED RISK IN AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION ETA: USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) reports that flash flood threats will continue over southwestern Guatemala during the next 36 hours. River flooding will continue in these areas over the next few days.
Guatemala’s INSIVUMEH forecasts rain throughout the south (Pacific Coast) and central parts of Guatemala with mudslides and flooding across multiple departments and lahars on Fuego and Santiaguito volcanoes.
A State of Calamity is currently in effect in the departments of Huehuetenango, Petén, Quiché, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, Chiquimula, Zacapa, Jutiapa, El Progreso, and Santa Rosa. Evacuations are underway for communities in Huehuetenango, Petén, Quiché, Alta Verapaz, Izabal, Zacapa, and El Progreso.
Roads Currently Closed:
CA-9 North
- 121 North, Puente Blanco
- 146 Puente Jones
- 154 Puente Santiago, Carretera al Atlántico
- 164 Puente Santa Rosa, Mayuelas
- 190
- 219
- 238
- 240
- 245 Carretera al Atlántico turn of La Ruidosa, Morales, Izabal.
- 247 Carretera al Atlántico La Ruidosa, Morales, Izabal.
- 262 Village la Pimienta, Carretera al Atlántico
Roads Open: Precaution Necessary:
CA-9 North
- 229 road to Marisco, Los Amates (road collapsed)
CA-14
- From Km. 170 (fallen trees)
CA-13
- 249 Road to Petén, Morales (landslides)
CA-1
- 90-126 (landslides)
Road Open: Repair Work Underway:
CA-1
- 188 San Cristóbal to Km. 205 Aldea Pologua, Totonicapán
- 35 San Lucas to Km 43 Sumpango, Sacatepéquez
RN-5
- 260 from Pajal to Lanquín, Alta Verapaz
RN-15
- 163 to 170 San Pedro Jocopilas a Sta. Cruz del Quiche.
CITO 180
- 180 Route Retalhuleu/Quetzaltenango.
Actions to Take:
CONRED (National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction) advises citizens to;
- Follow instructions issued by local authorities
- Review household evacuation plans
- Ensure that a 72-hour emergency bag is ready for each household member.
The U.S. Embassy further recommends that U.S. citizens;
- Notify friends and family that you are safe.
- Remain in your home if it is safe to do so, or seek alternative shelter if necessary.
- Avoid any unnecessary travel at this time as roads can quickly become extremely unsafe.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.
- Visit INSIVUMEH(Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología) website for updated weather and hazard information.
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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