Hurricane Ida hits El Salvador, heads for Mexico

Hurricane Ida has struck El Salvador, killing at least 124 people. It is currently headed northwest toward Mexico.

Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes declared a national emergency during an address to the nation.

He said heavy rains brought by Hurricane Ida have unleashed floods and landslides in some parts of the country. One region registered more than 300 millimeters of rain in just four hours.

25 aid centers have been set up in the affected areas.And more than 7,000 displaced people have be relocated so far.

After unleashing a downpour on El Salvador, Ida then swept past the Mexican resort city of Cancun. Fishermen tied their boats down, and tourists headed for cover as the storm began to lash the city.

Hurricane Ida has downgraded to a Category one hurricane as it made its way through the Gulf of Mexico, where many oil and gas production facilities are located.