AG's Scratchin' Post

[Alex G]

Guatemala: First, volcanic eruption; then, devastating tropical storm

Xeni Jardin at 10:55 AM Monday, May 31, 2010
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/05/31/guatemala-first-volc.html#more

Guatemala is in a state of crisis today after twin natural calamities struck: First, the Pacaya volcano (close to the capital) became active. Lava flowed, and the volcano spewed black sand and rock and ash everywhere. A newscaster covering the event, near the volcano, was killed by flying rocks.

Then, tropical storm "Agatha" struck, destroying homes, causing floods, and creating tens of thousands of internally displaced. Infrastructure in this country—where the majority live in poverty—is very poor, and ill-equipped to handle such a double blow. As of last night, official numbers on storm: about 30,000 "refugees," close to 120,000 evacuated, 93 dead and rising.

The poorest always suffer the most when events like this happen, and the two events together caused surreal conditions: knee-deep black sand mud, and "instant concrete" which formed when rains met ash, clogging up drains and laying waste to fragile sewage systems. Said a friend on Twitter, "Water and sand everywhere... it's like the beach, only a lot less fun."

Guatemala isn't the only Central American nation affected: at least 10 are dead in El Salvador, and Honduras has declared a state of emergency.