Wind and rain from Hurricane Richard have already battered Honduras’ Caribbean coast Tropical Storm Richard has strengthened into a hurricane over the Caribbean Sea as it heads towards Belize and southeastern Mexico, officials say.
With maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), Richard was centred about 95 miles east of Belize City, said the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Wind and rain from the 10th storm of the hurricane season have already battered Honduras’ Caribbean coast.
Richard is moving north-west at about 12mph.
Category 1: Strongest gusts less than 77mph (124km/h); little structural damage, minor flooding
Category 2: Strongest gusts 77-106mph (171km/h); roofs, trees damaged
Category 3: Strongest gusts 106-140 mph (225km/h); houses damaged, severe flooding
Category 4: Strongest gusts 140-175 mph (282km/h); major structural damage to houses
Category 5: Strongest gusts above 175mph; serious damage to buildings, severe flooding inland
The Miami-based NHC forecasts it will cross Belize and southeastern Mexico later on Sunday, crossing the Yucatan peninsula before reaching the south-western Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.
Mexican fishermen have already been evacuating the Yucatan peninsula.
A hurricane warning is in effect for the west coasts of Belize and Honduras.
The NHC warned a storm surge would raise water levels along the northern coasts of Belize and Honduras by as much as five feet, adding that this would be accompanied by “large and destructive waves”.
It said northern Honduras could expect up to two inches of rain.
“This rain could produce life-threatening flash-floods and mudslides… especially in mountainous terrain,” it said.
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