Hurricane/Tropical Storm Alma (it means “soul” in Spanish) came out of nowhere to bombard the northwest corner of Nicaragua with a projected 20 inches of rain. Winds have been fierce too, and residents are comparing the storm to the infamous 1998 Hurricane Mitch, which devastated the north half of the country. I just got off the phone with a friend in Estelà and I could barely hear him over the rain. The rivers are rising and with them the risk of landslides. Keep updated by checking on the Nicaragua news headlines here.
If you are in Nicaragua—or speaking with anyone on the ground—please post updates on this special GoToNicaragua.com forum thread.