Overview
- Cristina became the third named storm of the eastern Pacific season after strengthening from a depression on Monday and by Tuesday was nearly stationary off the coasts of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
- The National Hurricane Center has tropical storm warnings from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua, to the Guatemala–El Salvador border and forecasts widespread rainfall of 4–8 inches with isolated totals up to 12 inches.
- Forecasters say the storm is poorly organized because of persistent northerly wind shear and its close proximity to land, which limits strengthening and makes the exact track and timing uncertain.
- Local authorities have issued orange and yellow alerts, closed schools, urged small boats to remain in port, and reported maritime incidents including five people missing in Costa Rica after two small boats capsized.
- Emergency agencies warn that heavy rain over steep, mountainous terrain could cause flash floods, deadly mudslides and road closures as Cristina lingers offshore and then moves near or into El Salvador in the coming 36–48 hours.