OFFICIAL
Drought
Honduras
On 21 August 2026, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the Government of Honduras declared a state of emergency in 75 municipalities due to a worsening drought associated with El Niño. Since 18 August, 71 municipalities have been under Yellow Alert and 88 under Green Alert. According to the report, approximately 1.8 million people, equivalent to one-fifth of the country’s population, are projected to face Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity between August and October 2026, including 60,000 people facing Emergency levels. Information available from: ReliefWeb / OCHA.
UNOFFICIAL
Severe weather
United States of America
On 20 August 2026, a media report indicated that severe thunderstorms brought more than 2 inches of rain to several parts of New York City, causing flash flooding, property damage, and travel disruptions. According to the report, flooding affected roads in Hollis, Queens, and a subway station in Manhattan. LaGuardia Airport temporarily suspended operations, resulting in more than 210 flight cancellations, while John F. Kennedy International Airport recorded 167 cancellations. Tornadoes were also reported in the New York City area and on Long Island, including one that damaged approximately 50 cabanas in Inwood, Nassau County, and resulted in one minor injury. Information available from: NY1 / Spectrum News.
Flood
Costa Rica (Update)
On 21 August 2026, a media report indicated that the Government of Costa Rica declared a national emergency in nine flood-affected areas: Guatuso, Turrialba, Sarapiquí, Limón, Pococí, Siquirres, Talamanca, Matina, and Guácimo. Several days of heavy rainfall caused rivers and streams to overflow, flooding homes and damaging roads across the Caribbean and northern regions. According to the report, more than 700 people remained in emergency shelters, 145 schools remained closed, and national routes 10 and 32 were affected by landslides or flooding. The emergency followed a period of unusually heavy rainfall during which eight tropical waves passed over or near Costa Rica between 20 July and 18 August. Information available from: The Tico Times.