Iota made landfall Monday on Nicaragua's northern Caribbean coast as a maximum Category 5 hurricane, accompanied by catastrophic winds, rain and storm surge, a top meteorological official said.
Central American presidents on Monday appealed to the financial community and international organizations for resources to support the reconstruction of their respective countries.
Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua announced evacuations last week, even as the region was still reeling from the devastation inflicted by previous storm Eta.
An exceptionally dangerous Iota could strengthen into a Category 5 hurricane before making landfall in Nicaragua and Honduras, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned Monday morning.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned Sunday is the last guaranteed day to prepare for Hurricane Iota, which is expected to make landfall tomorrow in Honduras or Nicaragua.
Costa Rica's National Emergency Commission (CNE) on Saturday afternoon placed the entire national territory under weather alerts as it anticipates indirect effects from Tropical Storm Iota.
