Tropical Storm Otto is on track to hit southern Nicaragua or northern Costa Rica on Thanksgiving Day. As of Wednesday morning, Otto was about 200 miles off the east coast of Nicaragua. A rare late-season storm, Otto is expected to gather strength as it approaches the coast.

Three people were killed Tuesday as a result of the storm in Panama City, Panama. That area experienced heavy rains and winds in advance of the storm making landfall.

Over 4,000 residents in northern Costa Rica were told Tuesday to evacuate.

Hurricane conditions are possible in these areas Wednesday night through Thursday morning.

Flash flooding is also a concern throughout Central America, with some areas expected to be pummeled with 20 inches of rain.

Direct Relief stands ready to respond to the resource needs of local healthcare clinics by drawing on its standing inventory of medical supplies.

Direct Relief also has a hurricane preparedness pack located with the Ministry of Health in Managua, Nicaragua. That pack contains enough medicines and medical supplies to treat 5,000 people for a month following a disaster.

Direct Relief will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as information becomes available.