Central America on alert for more rains as toll rises to 37

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Central America was on maximum alert on Friday as heavy rains threatened to lash the region over the weekend, while the death toll rose to 37 from a storm system in the past week.

The toll in neighboring Mexico rose to eight, with three more reported dead in the wake of Jova, which separately hit the Pacific coast as a hurricane Tuesday before weakening to a tropical storm.

Storm systems in Central America and Mexico triggered heavy flooding, blocked roads and caused electricity outages and mudslides.

Many homes were destroyed and more than 70,000 people affected.

Torrential rains carried away bridges in Guatemala, where 22 people were confirmed dead, according to local authorities and emergency services.

President Alvaro Colom told reporters that two people were still missing, while the United States offered four helicopters to help rescue efforts in isolated communities.

Rescuers recovered seven bodies in Nicaragua, six in El Salvador and two in Honduras, while only property damage was reported in Costa Rica.

Mexican authorities insisted only small repairs were needed to venues for the Pan American Games, which began Friday in Guadalajara, the Jalisco state capital more than 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Pacific coast.