Tropical Storm Nate has claimed at least 22 lives across Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras, with heavy rains triggering landslides and floods that have blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and damaged homes.
In Costa Rica, eight people have died, and nearly 400,000 residents are without running water. Thousands are sheltering in temporary accommodation. The storm has also caused significant infrastructure damage in Nicaragua, where 11 people were killed. In Honduras, three people died, including two youths who drowned in a river.
Authorities in Costa Rica have warned of crocodiles potentially lurking in flooded areas near the Tárcoles river. Officials urged the public not to harm the animals but to avoid standing water and call emergency services if spotted. All train services have been suspended, and dozens of flights cancelled. More than a dozen national parks popular with tourists have been closed as a precaution.
The storm is now moving over the sea towards Mexico and the United States, where it could strengthen into a hurricane. Forecasters predict it may become a category one hurricane before making landfall on the southern US coast on Sunday. States of emergency have been declared in 29 Florida counties and in New Orleans, where residents in low-lying areas have been advised to evacuate.
Oil companies have begun evacuating staff from platforms in the Gulf of Mexico along the storm's predicted path. This would be the third major storm to hit the southern US coast this year, following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
