Guatemala – Floods and Heavy Rain Affect 5,000

Civil protection in Guatemala (System of the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction – CONRED) reported on 18 May that almost 6,000 people had been affected by heavy rain and flooding over the last 3 days.

The country’s National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) said that over 100 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in 6 different locations on 15 May and in 3 different locations the next day.

CONRED says that there have been 19 incidents of flooding and damaging rainfall, affecting 5,594 people. The worst affected departments are Chiquimula, El Progreso, Guatemala, Petén, Quetzaltenango, Sacatepéquez, Sololá, San Marcos and Suchitepéquez.

Around 240 people have evacuated their homes. Over 100 houses have been damaged and a further 27 severely damaged or destroyed. Seven roads and a bridge have also suffered damage.

Insivumeh has forecast further heavy rain across the country, in particular in southern areas.

Floods in Guatemala, May 2018. Photo: Cruz Roja Guatemala

Social Media

Flood Summary

Last updated: May 22, 2018
Event
Guatemala, May 2018
Date
May 15, 2018
Type
Urban flood, Flash flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall, Long-term rainfall

Locations

A - Chiquimula
B - El Progreso
C - Guatemala department
D - Petén
E - Quetzaltenango
F - Sacatepéquez
G - Sololá
H - San Marcos
I - Suchitepéquez

Magnitude

Rainfall level
115.8 mm in 24 hours
Lorena - May 16 to May 16, 2018
All rainfall figures and locations via Insivumeh
Rainfall level
103.5 mm in 24 hours
Tecun Uman, Ayutla, San Marcos - May 16 to May 16, 2018
Rainfall level
102.3 mm in 24 hours
Chiquirines - May 16 to May 16, 2018
Rainfall level
134.1 mm in 24 hours
Catarina, San Marcos - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
130.4 mm in 24 hours
Tulula - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
121 mm in 24 hours
Cenizas - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
113.8 mm in 24 hours
Lorena - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
107.9 mm in 24 hours
Retalhuleu - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
101.5 mm in 24 hours
Mazatenangi - May 15 to May 15, 2018
Rainfall level
64.8 mm in 24 hours
Montúfar, Jutiapa - May 19 to May 20, 2018

Damages

Affected
76,845
May 15 to May 22, 2018
Buildings damaged
130 buildings
May 15 to May 19, 2018
Also 7 roads and 1 bridge damaged.
Fatalities
1 person
Sansare, El Progresso Department - May 15 to May 22, 2018