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Flooding kills 40 in El Salvador Flooding kills 40 in El Salvador
(30 minutes later)
At least 40 people have been killed in El Salvador by flooding caused by days of heavy rain, the government saysAt least 40 people have been killed in El Salvador by flooding caused by days of heavy rain, the government says
The authorities have declared a state of emergency in five regions and expect to find more victims, Interior Minister Humberto Centeno told reporters.The authorities have declared a state of emergency in five regions and expect to find more victims, Interior Minister Humberto Centeno told reporters.
News of the deaths came as Hurricane Ida was poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico, experts warned.News of the deaths came as Hurricane Ida was poised to enter the Gulf of Mexico, experts warned.
Ida, which passed to the east of El Salvador three days ago, is not thought to have caused the severe rains.Ida, which passed to the east of El Salvador three days ago, is not thought to have caused the severe rains.
A spokesman for the US National Hurricane Center in Florida said the rains were caused by a separate, low pressure system.A spokesman for the US National Hurricane Center in Florida said the rains were caused by a separate, low pressure system.
A government spokesman said the affected regions were San Salvador, La Libertad, San Vicente, La Paz y Cuscatlan.
Ida forecastIda forecast
A hurricane watch has been issued for coastal Louisiana and Mississippi by forecasters at the Hurricane Center.A hurricane watch has been issued for coastal Louisiana and Mississippi by forecasters at the Hurricane Center.
It is estimated Hurricane Ida could reach the United State's northern Gulf Coast by Tuesday, but forecasters have not included New Orleans in the watch.It is estimated Hurricane Ida could reach the United State's northern Gulf Coast by Tuesday, but forecasters have not included New Orleans in the watch.
In forecasting terms, a watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. A hurricane warning remains in force for parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.In forecasting terms, a watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 36 hours. A hurricane warning remains in force for parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Ida was declared a hurricane on Thursday while it was off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, before it weakened.Ida was declared a hurricane on Thursday while it was off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, before it weakened.
The storm forced thousands of people into shelters in Nicaragua, but the local authorities reported no casualties.The storm forced thousands of people into shelters in Nicaragua, but the local authorities reported no casualties.
Ida is currently a Category 1 hurricane, the lowest on a five-step scale of intensity, but experts believe it could reach Category 2 later Sunday.Ida is currently a Category 1 hurricane, the lowest on a five-step scale of intensity, but experts believe it could reach Category 2 later Sunday.
Gradual weakening of the hurricane is expected Monday.Gradual weakening of the hurricane is expected Monday.
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