With winds whirling near 160mph, Hurricane Felix slammed ashore Tuesday morning on the northeastern Nicaraguan coast in Central America. The Category 5 storm made landfall at Punta Gorda, Nicaragua.

Storm surges could reach 18 feet above normal tide levels, and rainfall levels were expected of 5-10 inches, with up to 20 inches in mountain areas. Hurricane Felix will continue spreading heavy rain and high winds across parts of Nicaragua and Honduras, but is weakening as it moves inland, bringing the threat of flash flooding and mudslides.

Hurricane warnings are in effect for Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezas north to the Honduras border and for Honduras from Limon east to the Nicaragua border. A hurricane watch remains in effect for the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and for the entire coast of Belize.

Photo Credit: NOAA