Tropical Storm Julia formed Friday in the Caribbean Sea, prompting hurricane watches and warnings for Nicaragua and Colombian islands. Several Central American countries may also enjoy heavy rains and flooding through Monday.
Julia had maximum sustained winds of forty-five mph and was moving west at 17 mph Friday night, according to the U. S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). U. S.
Julia “is expected to be a hurricane” when its eye passes near or over the Colombian islands of Providencia and San Andres on Saturday night, and reaches the coast of Nicaragua on Sunday morning, the NHC said.
It is expected to weaken as it moves over Nicaragua’s interior on Sunday and then likely burn up on Monday, the NHC said, as its remnants move northwest over Central America.
However, Julia is expected to bring heavy rains to several Central American countries, with the threat of “fatal flash floods and landslides. “
Eastern Nicaragua can see only 5 to 15 inches of rain, according to the NHC, while San Andres and Providencia can get only 6 to 12 inches. Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize are also expected to see significant rainfall. ranging from 3 to 12 inches.
The typhoon about 360 miles east of the island of Providence overcame Friday night, the NHC said.
The Nicaraguan government has issued a Bluefields watch on the Nicaragua-Honduras border.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said via Twitter on Friday that the government is preparing shelters on the islands. The government of San Andres announced a curfew for citizens starting Saturday at 6 a. m. to restrict other people on the streets. Yolanda Gonzalez, director of Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies, said Julia could be a Category 1 hurricane when it passes through the islands on Saturday.