Hurricane ETA at Category 4 strength bearing dowon on the Caribbean Central American coastline, SITUATION REPORT: increasing in intensity but not in pace of movement. hurricane eta November 3, 2020 | No. 1 This historic hurricane season has exacerbated the coronavirus BY THE NUMBERS pandemic, in turn likely hampering any preparedness, response and rescue efforts. Hurricane Eta is expected to 145 mph max sustained wind impact the Honduras and Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan army has evacuated thousands of people while the Honduran authorities 14-21 ft expected sea level are mobilizing their army to help with evacuation of island regions and some coastal communities. 3 ft expected rainfall Because of the rapid onset of this storm, there is little 10 countries at risk time for residents to prepare. However, the central governments have mobilized what resources they have 70,000 people at direct risk for the most dire of circumstances. ACTIONS TAKEN AND NEXT STEPS SITUATION OVERVIEW Lutheran World Relief has activated its Humanitarian In the evening of October 31, a tropical depression formed Assistance team in the anticipation of the catastrophic in the eastern Caribbean Sea. By morning it had evolved into landfall and aftermath. The team is keeping in touch with Tropical Storm Eta, 2020’s 29th named storm. Now a slow- staff and partners on the ground to gather information moving system, Eta quickly intensified into a category four and anticipate what the most immediate needs will be. hurricane as it slowly moved towards the Caribbean coast of A response will take shape as soon as needs on the ground Nicaragua. It is still increasing in speed and is moving in a are clearer once the storm passes. southwesterly direction. After making landfall it is anticipated to move through Central America before hooking back around towards Cuba.

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