Life-threatening Hurricane Otto moves toward Central America

Otto has become the latest hurricane on record in the Caribbean Sea. The storms has strengthened, winds are at 75mph, and it moves slowly toward the Costa Rica- Nicaragua border.

Otto became a named storm Monday afternoon,  the latest hurricane this far south since Martha in 1969. Otto is the 15th named storm of the 2016 hurricane season.

A hurricane watch is in effect for the Costa Rica-Panama border south of Bluefields,  where hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Panamanian coast from Nargana to Colon, and for San Andres Island. Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warned area within 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for west of Colon to the Costa Rica-Panama border, and the for Nicaragua from Bluefields to sandy Bay Sirpi.  Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within the next 48 hours.

                                 CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS

Otto is likely to become a hurricane Tuesday afternoon or early evening. Rain bands have already caused three deaths in Panama. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center.

                         READ MORE: 3 fatalities in Panama linked to Otto

Otto is expected to slowly continue drifting west, and it could intensify a bit more as it approaches Costa Rica and Nicaragua on Thursday.

                                            EYE ON THE TROPICS

Its slow movement will develop torrential rainfall anywhere from Panama and southeastern Costa Rica through Wednesday. Storm totals forecast between 6-12 inches of rain, and some isolated areas, especially in the higher terrain, between 15-20 inches. Landslides and life-threatening flash floods are likely with those amounts.

Marine conditions will become more dangerous as the storm gains strength. Otto will generate large swells that are likely to cause life-threatening rip currents and surf through the rest of the week.

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Cox Media Group