A week of intense, non-stop rains in El Salvador caused by a tropical depression off the coast of Guatemala have caused major flooding, mudslides, and damage to roads and bridges.  As of Friday morning, government officials reported that over 6,000 had been evacuated from their homes and were being housed in 92 shelters throughout the country.  Seven deaths have been reported. Friday at midday, President Mauricio Funes declared a state of national emergency, allowing the government to make use of all the resources necessary and putting the National Civil Police and the Armed Forces to work in response to the emergency and to prevent further damages and loss of life.  The Ministry of Education has suspended all schools and universities, both public and private.  Several border crossings with Guatemala have been closed and the bridge at the La Hachadura crossing point was washed away.  According to President Funes, 90% of the national territory is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters like these heavy rains.  The precarious conditions that many impoverished families live in, both in urban and rural zones, multiplies the impacts of these natural disasters.