Flooding from Tropical Storm Sara in Central America, November 2024
by Richard Davies, floodlist
Tropical Storm Sara made landfall on 14 November 2024 near the Honduras-Nicaragua border. The storm brought significant rainfall across Central America, causing landslides and river overflows which resulted in displacements, loss of life, and widespread material damage.
Honduras
Honduras experienced the most severe impacts from Tropical Storm Sara, with 17 of its 18 departments reporting damage. Coastal and northern departments like Atlántida, Colón, Olancho and Yoro were particularly impacted.
Flooding in the Aguán Valley, Honduras, the passage of Tropical Storm Sara, November 2024. Credit: Government of Honduras
According to a report by the Secretariat for National Risk and Contingency Management (COPECO) of 21 November, around 247,010 people were affected by the storm, with 6 fatalities reported. During the emergency, 8,927 people were displaced and housed in 116 shelters nationwide, according to the UN. In terms of material destruction, a total of 4,593 homes were damaged, including 427 that were completely destroyed. Extensive damage to roads disrupted access to 2,490 communities.
La Ceiba recorded significant rainfall, with 375 mm in a 24-hour period to 15. Capital city Tegucigalpa recorded 346 mm in 24 hours to 18 November.
The heavy rain caused several rivers to overflow, notably the Monga River in Yoro Department and the Aguán River in Colón Department.
A high-resolution satellite image captured by Sentinel 1A shows the areas flooded by the Aguán River near Tocoa, during the passage of Tropical Storm Sara, November 2024. Credit: Copernicus
Satellite images captured by Sentinel 1A revealed major flooding along the Aguán River near Tocoa, Colón Department. Copernicus EMS Rapid Mapping provided further emergency mapping.
On 25 November, government officials took an overflight of the northern coast of the country and the Aguán Valley to assess the damage.
Damage caused by flooding in Sabá municipality in the Honduran department of Colón during Tropical Storm Sara, November 2024. Credit: Cuerpo de Bomberos de Honduras
Belize
Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize on 17 November 2024 near Dangriga Town.
The IFRC reported (link: https://go.ifrc.org/field-reports/17376 ) flooding occurred along major rivers, including the Macal, Mopan, Rio Hondo, and Belize Rivers. Hardest hit were communities in the Cayo and Belize District, IFRC said. The storm affected approximately 18,500 people, displacing 162.
Copernicus EMS Rapid Mapping provided delineation and damage assessment emergency mapping here.
Guatemala
In Guatemala, several rivers, including the Mopan and Nuevo, overflowed their banks. Damage to homes and infrastructure led to evacuations and emergency response efforts, particularly in Petén and Izabal Departments.
As of 18 November, authorities reported 50,240 people affected, 337 displaced, and over 300 houses damaged.
El Salvador
From 17 November, El Salvador faced urban flooding, river overflows, and landslides. As a result, authorities reported 456 people displaced and 107 buildings damaged.
In the 24 hours leading up to 19 November, the weather station at Volcán Conchagua received 181.4 mm of rain and Los Naranjos recorded 178.9 mm, according to Ministerio de Medio Ambiente.
Rainfall totals in El Salvador 18 to 19 November 2024. Credit: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente
Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, authorities reported flooding in areas of Chontales, Chinandega, Matagalpa, Granada and Rivas departments.
Over 2,000 people were affected, around 200 were evacuated and over 800 buildings were damaged. One person was reported missing, and another was injured, according to local media reports.
Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) – DG ECHO Daily Map | 18/11/2024, Central America| Tropical Storm SARA. Credit: European Union, 2024. Map produced by the JRC. See the original here (link: https://erccportal.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ECHO-Products/Maps#/maps/5078 )
Costa Rica
Costa Rica had already experienced heavy rain, flooding, and landslides starting on 6 November 2024. The situation was worsened by the influence of Tropical Storm Sara which brought further heavy rain from 15 November.
According to WMO figures, in a 24-hour period to 16 November, the weather station at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia recorded 260 mm of rain.
Flooding occurred in several locations, particularly in the provinces of Guanacaste, Puntarenas, and Limón.
As of 18 November, authorities in Costa Rica reported 5,566 incidents related to floods, river overflows and landslides, resulting in destroyed homes, vehicles, and roads, and 3,418 people seeking safety in 57 temporary shelters across 41 of the country’s 84 cantons. Five people died and five were reported missing.
Cover image: Firefighters carried out rescues of people trapped in floodwaters in Honduras during Tropical Storm Sara, November 2024. Credit: Cuerpo de Bomberos de Honduras
By Karen O'Regan Dec. 10, 2024, 2:33 p.m.