Tropical Storm Chata’an triggers over 250 landslides; deaths given as 43 (USGS) or 47 (FSM government); Tonoas worst hit.

What happened

Nearly 20 inches of rain fell in under 24 hours, burying homes, roads, crops and water supplies. Tonoas (Dublon) was worst hit; an early report counted 21 dead there, about half of them children. Counts differ: the US Geological Survey gives 43 deaths and more than 250 landslides, while FSM officials reported 47 deaths.