Nicaragua declares red alert Hurricane Beta pounds coast

HURRICANE Beta pounded Nicaragua’s east coast with heavy rains and powerful winds last night as thousands sought protection in boarded-up homes or government shelters.

As the storm hit land near the remote town of La Barra, it weakened to a Category 2 hurricane with 105 mph winds, according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami. It was expected to sweep across Nicaragua, dumping up to 15 inches of rain.

While powerful, Beta was a small hurricane, with hurricane force winds extending outward up to 15 miles, the centre said.