Panama quake leaves thousands in shelters as region faces storms and drought
Panama's 7.5 magnitude earthquake left 3,696 people in shelters and damaged over 4,000 homes, as storms hit Mexico and Chile and drought grips Haiti.
The story in focus
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Panama has left at least 3,696 people in shelters, with more than 4,000 homes damaged and 879 destroyed, according to the National Civil Protection System. The region is also contending with storms in Mexico and Chile and an El Niño-related dry spell in southern Haiti.
- Panama's 9 October earthquake affected 13,623 people, with authorities reporting the first death of a hospitalised injured person.
- Hurricane Trudy is forecast to reach Category 4 before passing off Mexico's Michoacán and Colima coasts this weekend.
- Below-average rainfall over 45 days in southern Haiti threatens the coming harvest, FEWS NET reports.
Mexico braces for eighth major hurricane
Forecasters expect a new storm, Trudy, to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane before passing off the coasts of Michoacán and Colima this weekend. It would be the eighth major hurricane of a record eastern Pacific season, double the usual number, with record-warm waters linked to El Niño fuelling activity.
Hurricane Simon never made landfall off Jalisco, but its rain and storm surge damaged 71 homes and 35 businesses in Colima. It weakened to a tropical storm on 15 October. Remnants of Rachel triggered floods that killed at least five people in Ensenada, Baja California, raising the recent storm death toll to six, with five more people missing as of 13 October.
Chile flooding and Panama earthquake
A frontal system swept central Chile from 11 October, the 15th El Niño-linked weather event this year, according to the Government. The Mapocho River overflowed again, prompting a preventive evacuation in Talagante, and a weak tornado damaged Santiago's Alameda bus terminal. On 13 October, about 36,000 customers lost power, 116 schools suspended classes and four health facilities went out of service.
In Panama, authorities reported the first death from the 7.5 magnitude earthquake of 9 October. SINAPROC says the quake affected 13,623 people, and at least 3,696 remain in shelters a week later. More than 4,000 homes were damaged, 879 destroyed, along with 619 educational centres and 67 health centres. Rain and landslides are hampering access to cut-off communities. UNICEF estimates nearly 38,000 people may need assistance, including about 8,300 children.
Haiti drought
FEWS NET reports that 45 days of below-average rainfall have degraded vegetation across southern Haiti, with the worst deterioration around Jacmel and Les Cayes. Forecasters expect below-average rainfall to continue, likely reducing end-of-season yields in a country where an estimated 3 to 3.5 million people already require food assistance.
How many people remain in shelters after Panama's earthquake?
At least 3,696 people remain in shelters a week after the 9 October quake, mainly in Veraguas and Los Santos, according to SINAPROC. The earthquake affected 13,623 people and damaged more than 4,000 homes.
Sources & further reading
- Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 16 October 2026 - Panama - Content Search ↗reliefweb.int
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