Hurricane Felix slammed ashore in Central America as a Category 5 storm Tuesday, focusing 165-mph winds and driving rain on Nicaragua and Honduras. Authorities evacuated more than 14,000 people in both countries in advance of the storm. In addition to damaging winds, flooding is expected to cause significant destruction as more than two feet of rain could fall in spots. Mudslides, especially in central Honduras, are expected.

Governments are still assessing damage but relief agencies anticipate losses of housing to be steep; in Nicaragua alone, half the nation's housing may be damaged.

Poverty is endemic in Central America. Nearly 80 percent of Nicaraguans live below the poverty level. Around 14,000 Miskito Indians did not evacuate in time and remain isolated along the Honduras-Nicaragua border.

The UCC and Disciples are responding through One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC) and Week of Compassion (Disciples).  Our partners, Church World Service (CWS) International Response and Recovery Liaison Don Tatlock has been in continuous communication with partners in the region, primarily those associated with Action by Churches Together's Central American network. "The alert has gone out and everyone has been busy in preparing shelters and getting the word out in rural areas to seek shelter," Tatlock said. 

In Nicaragua, ACT member and CWS partner Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC) pre-positioned relief resources in advance of the storm. As well, Global Ministries and CWS partner Council of Protestant Churches in Nicaragua (CEPAD) has been in contact with many of their member churches in some of the affected areas and will be making an assessment of needs.

Those affected by Hurricane Felix are in our prayers and we are ready to support relief and recovery efforts made by our partners.  For more information:

 Disciples' Week of Compassion
 UCC's One Great Hour of Sharing