TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The Honduran government declared a national "red alert" Wednesday as Tropical Storm Michelle formed over the Caribbean, bringing torrential rains and flooding that left more than two dozen people dead or missing in the region and forced tens of thousands from their homes.
Four people were confirmed dead and seven were missing after rivers overflowed their banks in coastal areas of Honduras following several days of heavy rain, officials said. At least 20,000 people were forced from their homes along the Caribbean coast and in northern districts.
Authorities scrambled to send emergency supplies but were unable to get them through to towns and villages cut off by the flooding.
In neighboring Nicaragua, 12 people were listed as missing and feared dead Wednesday with hundreds more forced out of their homes by the rain and flooding.
