Disasters & Accidents

Hurricane Julia hits Nicaragua as Category 1 storm

Bluefields, Nicaragua, Oct 9 (EFE).- Hurricane Julia caused widespread material damage in Nicaragua after it made landfall on the Central American nation’s Caribbean coast as a Category 1 storm.

Wind speeds of up to 140 kph (85 mph) tore off roofs and brought down trees and electrical cables, causing blackouts in some regions, local authorities said.

Julia kept up strength as it moved into Nicaragua, according to the country’s Ineter territorial studies institute.

The United States National Hurricane Center warned Julia could bring “life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.”

Gustavo Castro, the mayor of Bluefields, a city on the Caribbean coast, said three refuge centers had been used to help people fleeing the effects of the hurricane.

The NHC said Julia was moving westwards across Nicaragua, towards the Pacific Ocean, as a hurricane.

Ineter said it expected Julia to weaken as it moved deeper into the country. EFE

wpr/jt

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