This handout satellite image provided by CIRA/CSU & NOAA on Oct 8, 2022 and captured at 14:30 UTC on Oct 7 shows Tropical Storm Julia off the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia. (CIRA/CSU / NOAA / AFP)

MEXICO CITY – Hurricane Julia slammed into Nicaragua on Sunday carrying top winds of up to 85 miles per hour (140 kph) and a storm surge, the US National Hurricane Center said, warning of dangerous weather in the coming days across the region.

The storm made landfall early on Sunday near Laguna de Perlas, the NHC said. By 5 am (0900 GMT) it was around 30 miles (50 km) north-northwest of Bluefields.

The hurricane was expected to gradually weaken as it crosses Nicaragua, emerging over the eastern Pacific by Sunday night. It was forecast to move near or along the Pacific coasts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala on Monday, the NHC said.

The hurricane was forecast to move near or along the Pacific coasts of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala on Monday, the US National Hurricane Center said

"Life-threatening flash floods and mudslides possible from heavy rains over Central America and Southern Mexico through early next week," the center said.

Central American countries initiated emergency alerts ahead of Julia's arrival, just one week after Hurricane Ian pummeled Cuba and Florida.

Colombia President Gustavo Petro said in a speech at a regional summit on Saturday afternoon that he hoped "the damage would be less than last time," referring to the destruction in the Caribbean from Hurricane Iota in 2020. He called on hotel chains to "open their doors for shelter."

The storm could bring flash flooding to southern Mexico early next week, NHC said.

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