Tropical storm Julia, which on Sunday reached Category 1 hurricane status, ripped through Central America on Monday, leaving at least 19 dead, according to officials.

Most of the victims were in El Salvador and Honduras. Officials in Panama on Monday confirmed two deaths.

About a million people are without power in Nicaragua.

"Life-threatening flash floods and mudslides should continue from Julia across Central American and Southern Mexico through Tuesday," the National Hurricane Center said.

As of Monday afternoon, Julia has been classified as a tropical depression.

Heavy rainfall and sustained winds pounded the region in recent days. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm moved northwest along the Pacific coast of El Salvador in the direction of Guatemala, hitting the area with torrential rains.

On Sunday, Hurricane Julia hit Nicaragua's Caribbean coast with 85 mph winds before it reached the Pacific as a tropical storm.

Miami-based meteorologist Craig Setzer posted Sunday on Twitter: "With Julia moving inland and weakening over Central America, and no other development expected during the next five days in the Atlantic basin, the Tropical Threats & Hurricane Preps graphic is NONE, with no preps needed anywhere on the map."

Hurricane