Tropical storm Alma douses Central America

A weakened tropical storm Alma, now a “tropical depression,” may be to blame for today’s heavy rainfall here. After dousing Honduras and other neighboring countries, it headed north across the eastern half of Guatemala. I hadn’t heard about it until Edgar, Viña Studios’ operations manager, mentioned it to me a few minutes ago.

Alma, which means “soul” in Spanish, shut down our Scripture recording team’s work for the day Friday in Cobán. Carlos, speaking by phone with Edgar, tells us that torrential rains pounded Cobán all night Thursday. Rainfall on corrugated tin roofs tends to have a detrimental effect on conversation and sensitive recording projects.

Looking at a map of its trajectory it appears we’re not directly in Alma’s path. The U.S. National Weather Service predicts rainfall amounts between 10 and 15 inches, even up to 20 inches in some places here in Guatemala over a 72-hour period, beginning Sunday. Hmmmmm, that could be bad.

“TOTAL AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN AREAS OF HIGHER TERRAIN. THESE RAINS COULD PRODUCE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES,” the National Weather Service predicted.

We didn’t get 20 inches of rainfall yet, but three of us still got quite soaked despite huddling under my umbrella outside Viña’s door, waiting for someone to answer the door.

Of course, prayer would be appreciated for those in hard hit areas.

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For a colorful satellite view of the clouds and moisture content, check out this site.