[NYTr] Hurricane Felix Could Affect Guatemala before Elections

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

PL via Granma International - Sep 3, 2007
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2007/septiembre/lun3/36felix1.html

Hurricane Felix to affect pre-election Guatemala

GUATEMALA, September 3 (PL).—The powerful Hurricane Felix that is
currently moving across the Caribbean Sea will begin to affect the
north of Guatemala starting Wednesday and its effects will be felt
until Saturday, the day before elections in that country.

According to the National Seismology, Volcanology, Meterorology and
Hydrology Institute (INSIVUMEH), if it maintains its present course,
Felix will touch land in El Petén, Guatemala after passing over Belize
and its rains will be felt in Verapaces and Izabal.

The hurricane reached Category 5, the maximum on the Saffir-Simpson
scale, barely 24 hours after having formed as a tropical storm, thus
making its effects potentially devastating.

Romeo García, an INSIVUMEH technician, said that the heaviest rainfall
will occur on Thursday and will begin to abate on Friday, to reach
normal for this season in the country.

He announced that normal rainfall for September is predicted for
Sunday, election day, particularly from midday onward.

Meanwhile, the National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (CONRED)
affirmed the institutional yellow alert for the whole of Guatemala.

Benedicto Girón, CONRED spokesman, stated that given the proximity of
the hurricane, surveillance in the areas of danger, which include water
basins, mountains and the sides of volcanoes, is to be stepped up.

He recommended people to keep informed and take care in the face of
increased water currents or alterations in the surface of the soil.

Yesterday, 12 people died in the eastern department of Jutiapa when
they tried to cross a swollen river in a vehicle and were dragged away
by the strength of the current.

Translated by Granma International