Rivers in Esteli, Jinotega, Matagalpa and Chinandega have overflowed their banks. Rivers along the northern Atlantic coastal area continue to rise and were expected to overflow their banks yesterday. The Nicaraguan Red Cross has confirmed that 19 people are dead as a result of flood waters and that another 21 are missing. The U.S. Embassy in Managua reports that at least 1,250 families have been driven from their homes. On October 29, U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Lino Gutierrez declared a disaster due to continued flooding.
Light rain continues to fall on the coastal area, but there are no reports of flooding as of yet.
The Government of Guatemala is taking steps to evacuate the coast in advance of Mitch's arrival. The Mexican Government has established plans to evacuate vulnerable coastal areas, and the Mexican Red Cross has prepositioned a team of disaster response specialists in the Yucatan Peninsula. Funds are being used for the rental of local helicopters to assist with overflight assessments, and to carry emergency medical, food, and water supplies to affected populations. Heavy rains continue along the entire Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The National Emergency Commission and all of the Agencies of the GOCR are attempting to evacuate all those at risk, and to care for those in shelters.