Tropical Storm Pilar Causes Two Deaths, Heavy Flooding in El Salvador, Drifts into Pacific
Pilar, nearing hurricane strength with sustained winds of 60 mph, is forecasted to bring 5-15 inches of rain to parts of Central America and spur potential mudslides at higher elevations; classes suspended and national emergency declared in El Salvador.
- Tropical Storm Pilar has resulted in at least two deaths in El Salvador due to heavy flooding and dangerous conditions.
- The storm is approaching hurricane strength, with sustained winds of 60 mph predicted to produce 5 to 15 inches of rainfall across parts of Central America.
- The Salvadoran government has declared a state of emergency and suspended classes nationwide; evacuation shelters have been prepared.
- The victims of the storm, a 24-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, were swept away by swollen streams in the province of La Union.
- The storm, predicted to shift west into the Pacific Ocean, still poses a severe threat to the Pacific coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras with possible flooding and mudslides at higher elevations.