The disaster was triggered by a low-pressure system from the Pacific, and flooding from heavy rains caused mud and rock slides that killed approximately 130 people and left 60 missing.

[1][2] In early November, an area of low pressure formed in the Pacific Ocean west of Central America.

[1] The low pressure system in the Pacific moved closer to the coasts of El Salvador and Guatemala triggering light to moderate rainfalls beginning on November 6 and continuing through November 7.

[citation needed] A total of 108 landslides occurred causing 209 buildings to be destroyed and damaging 1,835 more.

Verapaz was also heavily affected by a landslide from the Chichontepec volcano which damaged 300 homes.