El Salvador has declared a red alert due severe weather conditions (it has been raining non-stop for almost a week now!, and expected to continue for at least 2 more days)...most rivers are overflowing and the earth is so full of water already that there have been several mudslides...several important roads into the capital city are blocked due mudslides/danger of mudslides...15,000 people have been evacuated nationwide...There have been 36 deaths so far... The National Assembly had a special meeting today to consider decreeing a state of national emergency, which would mean that non-emergency government services and all private companies would be closed, so that workers wouldn't have to go to work....
On top of that, the Ilamatepec volcano in Santa Ana is showing renewed activity and is spewing ashes...Santa Ana is the second-largest city in El Salvador...

I had to bring my daughter with me to work today, because the nanny couldn't come and all schools are closed by orders of the Ministry of Education and the National Emergency Committee (COEN)...I'm trying to leave as much done as possible, in case I can't come tomorrow (if they DO decree the national emergency, it won't matter anyway, as there won't be anybody to follow up, but, just in case...)

Less worrisome right now is the fact that gas prices went up by $0.46/gallon on regular gasoline and by $0.63 in premium gasoline...

I have blankets, water, candles, canned goods and flashlights (+ batteries)...the only thing I DON'T have is a battery-operated radio (I know I had one at home, I know it was out of batteries...I went and bought the batteries, but I'm not sure whether one of my nephews/niece might have taken it, so I'm not sure I can find one...)

I am grateful that I paid my maid yesterday, because it means she has some cash on hand in case anything happens near where she lives...I already went to the bank today to get out some cash as well...My cousin called me and says she's been sweeping water out of her house all day...I don't even want to imagine what MY house will look like when I finally get there tonight! - I'm leaving early, though, because rain and darkness don't make the best driving conditions...plus, some streets are flooded....will have to check the news before leaving to see what the best route is....