24 September 2010 Last updated at 17:57 ET

Central America braces for Tropical Storm Matthew

Tropical Storm Matthew has made landfall in Honduras and Nicaragua with winds of 75km/h (45mph).

Matthew is expected to bring up to 10in (25cm) of rain, with a risk of flooding and landslides.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has ordered the evacuation of hundreds of people living in the storm's path.

Central America has been battered by months of heavy rain, which began in May with Tropical Storm Agatha.

Forecasters say Matthew will strike southern Belize by Saturday evening before crossing into Guatemala by Sunday.

Its predicted path then heads north into Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.

"Matthew is heading toward Central America in a hurry," said the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

It warned that the storm system could bring "life-threatening flash floods and mudslides".

In Nicaragua, military spokesman Lt Col Freddy Herrera said people had been evacuated from from the region of Cabo Gracias a Dios and the Miskito Cays.

Honduras has declared a state of preventive alert throughout the country.