Ida/96E in El Salvador. Obs and aftermath

[Macrocane]

On wednesday november 4 the official meteorological agency in El Salvador forecasted that a low pressure system in the Pacific (invest 96-E) in association with TD 11 (Later Hurricane Ida) were going to bring rains to El Salvador for several days. That day the rains began, they were more related to Ida that was off the central american coast at that time. On thursday while Ida was crossing central america the rains persisted in the country but they didn't cause any major problem. On friday Ida moved again into the Caribbean sea and 96-E moved closer to the Pacific coast of Central America, the rains became heavier but still didn't cause any major damage. On Saturday november 7 96-E brushed El Salvador coast, it rained during the whole day and 96-E became part of the inflow of Ida, actually it looked like an outer rainband of the cyclone, that night the most intense precipitation of the week fell in the country. On Sunday rains diminished but the disaster was done, thousands of people lost their homes and dozens died from mudslides and flooding. The government declared National Emergency and the aftermath began.

[Macrocane]

Here are some links were you can see pictures of the damages.

Coastal damages

San Vicente, one of the most affected provinces

From La Libertad

Ilopango, a city near the capital

San Salvador, the capital

[Macrocane]

This are the maps of the precipitation that fell in El Salvador on different days:

From 7.00 am november 6 to 7:00 am november 7


From 7:00 am november 7 to 7:00 am november 8 (the day of the disaster)


From 7:00 am november 8 to 7:00 am november 9

[Macrocane]

At this time the official numbers are:

130 people dead
70 missing
10300 people homeless
250 homes destroyed and more than 1800 heavily damaged.
18 bridges destroyed

[vbhoutex]

Do you know of any international response to this tragedy? I can't believe that only 130 have died from this!!

[Macrocane]

Do you know of any international response to this tragedy? I can't believe that only 130 have died from this!!

Only 130? Well I guess that you said that because with the damages it could have been worse. To answer your question Taiwan, Spain, Venezuela, Japan and France have already made donations: money, food, blankets, etc. Guatemala has helped us with rescue teams. So far those are the governments that have helped us with the emergency.

By the way the death toll is now 150 with 13000 people on shelters.

[Macrocane]

The death toll has reached 198 and the number of people in shelters is 15000. Here is a very good video that shows the destruction caused by the floods and mudslides.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMDtBdYRhis