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Central America braced for Felix Central America braced for Felix
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of residents and tourists have been fleeing coastal areas in Central America as Hurricane Felix churns through the Caribbean.Thousands of residents and tourists have been fleeing coastal areas in Central America as Hurricane Felix churns through the Caribbean.
It weakened to a category four storm but strengthened again, packing winds of 240km/h (150mph), and forecasters warn it is "extremely dangerous". It threatens to become a category five storm for a second time, with winds nearing 250km/h (155mph). Forecasters warn it is "extremely dangerous".
The hurricane is expected to hit the coast on the border between Nicaragua and Honduras in a few hours. It is expected to make landfall on the Nicaragua-Honduras border at 1230 GMT.
It comes just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed 18 people in the region. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette has reached hurricane strength as it heads for Mexico's Baja California peninsula.
It caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco at the weekend that killed six people.
The storm is currently 185km (115 miles) south-east the peninsula and is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon.
Flooding fears
Hurricane Felix developed in the Caribbean just two weeks after Hurricane Dean killed 18 people in the region.
Thousands of people on Aruba took shelter from the storm Trail of destruction Animated guide: Hurricanes Preparing for Hurricane Felix
"There could be serious damage and material, like human, losses, if people do not take precautionary measures," said Honduran President Manuel Zelaya."There could be serious damage and material, like human, losses, if people do not take precautionary measures," said Honduran President Manuel Zelaya.
His Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega said he was cutting short a visit to Panama, to lead emergency efforts.His Nicaraguan counterpart Daniel Ortega said he was cutting short a visit to Panama, to lead emergency efforts.
Flood warning
Thousands of people on Aruba took shelter from the storm Trail of destruction Animated guide: Hurricanes
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami downgraded the storm but later said it was strengthening again.The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami downgraded the storm but later said it was strengthening again.
"Some additional strengthening could occur while the centre of Felix remains over water ... and it is possible that Felix could reach category five status prior to making landfall in a few hours," said the NHC.
It said the storm could dump up to 30cm (12in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides.It said the storm could dump up to 30cm (12in) of rain in isolated parts of northern Honduras and north-eastern Nicaragua, possibly bringing flash floods and mudslides.
Meanwhile, there are concerns over Tropical Storm Henriette, which caused landslides in the Mexican city of Acapulco that killed six people. At 0900 GMT on Tuesday, Felix was 110km (65 miles) east of the border between Nicaragua and Honduras and moving westwards at 26km/h (16mph). Despite the hurricane being extremely powerful, winds are confined relatively close to the eye of the storm, says BBC meteorologist John Hammond.
The storm is nearing hurricane strength and is currently 280km (175 miles) from Mexico's Baja California peninsula, which it is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon.
At 0600 GMT on Tuesday, Felix was 165km (100 miles) east of the border between Nicaragua and Honduras and moving westwards at 28km/h (17mph).
It is expected to make landfall in a few hours.
Despite the hurricane being extremely powerful, winds are confined relatively close to the eye of the storm, says BBC meteorologist John Hammond.
View path of Hurricane Felix in more detailEnlarge MapView path of Hurricane Felix in more detailEnlarge Map
Hundreds of tourists have been evacuated from the islands of Honduras, while both Honduras and Nicaragua have been evacuating Miskito Indians who live along the coast on either side of the border.Hundreds of tourists have been evacuated from the islands of Honduras, while both Honduras and Nicaragua have been evacuating Miskito Indians who live along the coast on either side of the border.
But there are reports of transport shortages, and many of the indigenous population are thought to be stranded.But there are reports of transport shortages, and many of the indigenous population are thought to be stranded.
A storm surge of six metres (18 feet) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps.A storm surge of six metres (18 feet) above normal levels would be highly dangerous for those living in the isolated coastal swamps.
"There's nowhere to go here," teacher Sodeida Rodriguez, 26, told the Associated Press news agency."There's nowhere to go here," teacher Sodeida Rodriguez, 26, told the Associated Press news agency.
In Belize, people were said to be stocking up on emergency supplies and boarding up windows.In Belize, people were said to be stocking up on emergency supplies and boarding up windows.
On Sunday, Felix struck Aruba and two of the Netherlands Antilles islands near Venezuela - Bonaire and Curacao - but damage appeared slight.On Sunday, Felix struck Aruba and two of the Netherlands Antilles islands near Venezuela - Bonaire and Curacao - but damage appeared slight.
The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Felix demolished a concert venue when it hit Grenada on Saturday.The sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Felix demolished a concert venue when it hit Grenada on Saturday.
The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to peak on 10 September.The Atlantic hurricane season is expected to peak on 10 September.

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