There are reports of injuries, but the number is unknown. Heavy rains have hit Nicaragua Areas of neighbouring Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua have already been hit by the hurricane, which has brought heavy rains and fears of flash floods and mud slides. The storm started to lose strength by late afternoon as it drifted farther inland, with winds dropping slightly. But offshore, the small sand islands of Ambergris Cay and Caye Caulker, which are both popular with tourists, were hit hard. A government spokesman said the wind strengthened very quickly, making the seas too rough for boats to get anyone out.
People really are in a frightened state.
In Belize City, streets were under about a foot of water and power lines were down. But many of the residents in Chetumal seemed to be taking the bad weather in stride. Families waded down the streets in ankle-deep water. Others rode their bikes through the pounding rain.