Hurricane Mitch on October 26, 1998

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 9:00 a.m.

Local news reports indicate that Hurricane Mitch (rain) has hit the Bay Islands and is now entering Tela.

Here in San Pedro Sula, citizens are scurrying about purchasing provisions. The supermarkets, bakeries, etc are all jam-packed with people stocking up with emergency supplies. The scarcest items include bottled water, batteries, candles, canned goods and any other bare necessities that can be used to combat energy blackouts. Many people are really scared since Hurricane Fifi (1974) which caused a lot of property damage and human casualties, was classified in the two category, whereas Mitch is classified in the fifth one - with winds surpassing 150 mph. So far though, all that SPS has weathered has been constant on and off rain...the winds are expected to arrive later. Latest reports now indicate 16:00 hours as the estimated time of arrival for Mitch in SPS.

Local police, firefighters and other emergency personnel are on Alert status.

We here at Honduras.com will continue to provide updates on a timely basis as long as our communication lines remain open.

Monday - October 26th 1998 - 12:00 noon

Hurricane Mitch has been upgraded to a category 5
Sustained winds of 175 MPH have been reported

Category 5 is the most dangerous of all hurricanes and may be expected to cause severe damage upon contact with land.

Monday - October 26th 1998 - 12:05 p.m.

Reports indicate that damage in Honduras has begun.
Due to heavy rain, one of the bridges that connects the capital of Honduras ( Tegucigalpa ) with the industrial capital ( San Pedro Sula ) has been "washed out"!

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 1:33 p.m.

All tourists on Roatan and neighboring islands have been flown to La Ceiba, and will continue on to San Pedro Sula where effects of Mitch are expected to be minimal. Emergency Command has closed all businesses in San Pedro Sula, and the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Only hotels are to remain open. All grocery stores are empty and closed, and all gasoline has been bought up by the people in San Pedro. The mainland is expected to have only high winds and river damage. There are as yet no high winds in San Pedro Sula, but it is raining. At this point, Roatan's airport is still open as the winds there are only up to approx. 60 mph.

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 2:15 p.m.

Hurricane Mitch is expected to begin hitting the Bay Islands within one hour of this writing. Two hours later (05:00 local time) it is expected to reach the mainland of Honduras. The local TV and radio stations have been constantly warning citizens of the impending danger and providing tips. Water, batteries, candles and other necessary survival items have been sold out in the few stores that are open at this time (two am Monday morn). These stores are packed with customers stocking up on food and other provisions. Gas stations also are doing a booming business as drivers fill their tanks in anticipation of the hurricane.
Reports of the hurricane indicate that it is presently classified as a number 5 (five) type - which means winds in excess of 150 mph!
We here at Honduras.com will continue to provide updates of the impact of Hurricane Mitch as long as our communication lines stay open :)
May God Bless Honduras and Protect Her!!!

By O Ma R Orbison

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 7:11 p.m.

The Mayor of Utila has reported there are no forceful winds, only 25 mph breezes, and normal tropical rains. The people have congregated in a local school and church. The mayor says that the airport was destroyed by the action of the sea, but they have not had anything more severe. All the people on the island of Utila are well.

At 6:21 p.m. in Honduras, there was no information about critical problems in The Bahi Islands. The people on the island only report moderate wind and rain. Hurricane Mitch is 110 Kms West of Roatan. Telephones are operative, but there has been no flying or boat trips since 4:00 p.m.

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 9:30 p.m.

The initial scare regarding Hurricane Mitch is subsiding in the streets of San Pedro Sula. Although the sky is still overcast and no stars are visible, at least it hasn't rained for hours. People are still wary of the situation, but last night's frenzy caused by emergency hurricane watch warnings and fueled by recommended evacuations has subsided. Mitch seems to be staying north of Honduras for the time being and God willing will miss the country's mainland entirely.

Check back to Honduras.com often for news updates and the inside scoop on Hurricane Mitch!

Monday - October 26th, 1998 - 9:35 p.m.

God definitely has been watching over the medical brigade in the hills of Santa Barbara in Trinidad. They have had a busy first day and are off to a good start. However, Mighty Mitch has kept them from being swamped with visitors since many poor people in the surrounding mountains have been reluctant to leave their homes.

The attached is an exclusive Honduras.com photo of the bridge over Rio Blanco in Manocal (just outside of Potrerillos). Although traffic over this one lane passage is slow, it is still moving; contrary to a previous report that indicated that a bridge had been "washed out".

Honduras.com is proud to analyze Mitch from a myriad of unique new(s) perspectives!!!

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Hurricane Mitch

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