National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

ADVISORY #3

FLOODING IN SOUTHERN BELIZE

MONDAY, 3rd JULY 2017, as at 9:30 a.m.

Update: Generally fair conditions should prevail. The 24 hour forecast calls for sunny skies with cloudy spells today and partly cloudy skies tonight. Showers will be isolated and mostly over the south tomorrow. All major highways across the country are trafficable. All rivers in the Stann Creek District have crested and are receding. There is no flood threat to communities in the Stann Creek District.

In Toledo, Bladden River is three (3) feet above normal and is not rising. Blue Creek is one (1) foot above normal and receding slowly. In Aguacate the water is three (3) feet above normal and going down slowly. Motorist are asked to be careful and to watch out for debris on the bridge in Aguacate. The Moho River (through Jordan) is six (6) feet above normal and is receding slowly. The Temash River (near Crique Sarco) is fifteen (15) feet above normal. Water is about ten (10) feet above the road leading to Crique Sarco, which remains inaccessible to all forms of traffic.

The Moho River (near Santa Ana) is eight (8) feet above normal and is receding slowly. The water in Big Falls is twenty (20) feet above normal, and rising, it is eight (8) feet away from a home. The family has been moved to a shelter. Golden Stream is four (4) feet above normal and is receding slowly. In San Miguel the water is eight (8) feet above normal and is receding, and in Columbia the bridge is under three (3) feet, the water is going down slowly.

People in flooded areas are reminded to stay out flood waters, do not eat food and drink water that has come in contact with flood waters. If there is no purified water available, water must be boiled for at least three minutes before drinking. Check on family members and neighbors who might be in need of assistance.

NEMO emergency coordinators in the south can be reached as follows:

1. Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
2. Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
3. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936. You can also get updates at hydromet.gov.bz and nemo.org.bz

Stay alert. Do not listen to rumours.

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National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

ADVISORY  #2 

 FLOODING IN SOUTHERN BELIZE   

SUNDAY, 2^ND JULY 2017, as at 6:00 p.m.      

Update:  Few showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue over the south tonight. Conditions are expected to improve tomorrow with showers and thunderstorms becoming isolated.   Communities in the Stann Creek District that are prone to flash flood must be on the alert as the North and South Stann Creek rivers are rising fast.    A flash flood warning is in effect for and has been issued to villages of Sarawee and Hope Creek.  Shelters will be opened in Sarawee and Hope Creek to assist those residents who need a dry, safe place to shelter until the water recedes.  The Stann Creek District Command Centre was activated at 4p.m. today   The Hon. Frank ‘Pawpa’ Mena chaired the Stann Creek District Emergency Committee meeting, reviewed the situation and initiated their plan of action.

In Toledo the road in Jacinto is now open to traffic.    The water in Big Falls has risen fifteen (15) feet above normal.  In Crique Sarco eight (8) homes are still affected by flood waters, however  the river is cresting.   In Aguacate the water is four (4) feet over the bridge.   Golden Stream is  six (6) feet above normal and  not rising,  in  Bladden the water is three (3) feet above normal and not rising,  in Blue Creek the river is four (4) feet above the bridge and receding slowly, and in San Felipe the road remains closed.  The Toledo District Command Centre is monitoring and coordinating their response.    The concerns remain localized flooding of low-lying communities and flash flood near rivers and streams.

People in central, coastal and southern Belize are advised to make the necessary arrangements to protect life and property.   If you are at risk to flooding be prepared to move to higher grounds before nightfall, with family or friends or to a community shelter and check on family members and neighbours who might be in need of assistance.

• Saving your life and property are first and foremost your responsibility.
• All motorists are asked to drive with extreme care and to put on your low beam and hazard signal to avoid accidents due to slippery road conditions.

NEMO emergency coordinators can be reached as follows:

1. Corozal,  Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237;
2. Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, or Mr. Aragon at 636 6094;
3. Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 6154834 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275;
4. San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 632 3698;
5. Belize City, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672;  and Belize City Council Liaison Officer to NEMO, Councillor Willoughby at 6309793
6. Belmopan,  Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791;
7. Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 625 2526;
8. Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
9. Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
10. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936. You can also get updates at hydromet.gov.bz and nemo.org.bz

The public is asked to pay close attention official reports and advisories coming out of NEMO and the Met Service.  Stay alert.  Do not listen to rumours.

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National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

ADVISORY #1

FLOODING IN SOUTHERN BELIZE

SUNDAY, 2^ND JULY 2017, as at 12:00 MD

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby informs that the National Meteorological Service have issued a flood warning for the Toledo District due to flooding as a result of heavy rainfall over the last 36 to 48 hours over southern Belize. Rainfall is expected to continue through the day and tonight. It is raining over the Maya Mountains, so communities prone to flash flooding in the Stann Creek District must be on the alert.

The concerns remain as localized flooding of low-lying communities and flash floods near rivers and streams especially in the south. AREAS OF CONCERN in Stann Creek are the North Stann Creek and South Stann Rivers including Kendal. In Toledo it is the Moho and Temash Rivers which are at flood stage. So far eight (8) families had to relocate to their relatives due flood waters in Crique Sarco. In Santa Ana the water is level with the bank, safety-wise no oneaffected. In Blue Creek and Aguacate the water is six (6) feet above normal, no families directly affected. In Jordan the water is level with the road and in Jacintoville water is about four (4) feet high in the area of Jacintoville, no traffic moving.

• People in central, coastal and southern Belize are advised to make the necessary arrangements to protect life and property. If you are at risk to flooding be prepared to move to higher grounds before nightfall, with family or friends or to a community shelter and check on family members and neighbours who might be in need of assistance.
• Review your family emergency plan. Keep handy, a first aid kit, basic tools, lanterns, batteries, flashlights, and non-perishable foods. Keep an extra supply of medication. Do not wait until it’s too late to take action. Saving your life and property are first and foremost your responsibility.
• All motorist are asked to drive with extreme care and to put on your low beam and hazard signal to avoid accidents due to slippery road conditions.
• The North Stann Creek has begun flooding and is four feet (4ft) above normal at Miles 20 on the Stann Creek Valley Road. Stann Creek Command Center is on standby and has already issued a flood watch to Sarawee and Hope Creek.

NEMO emergency coordinators can be reached as follows:

1. Corozal, Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237;
2. Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, or Mr. Aragon at 636 6094;
3. Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 6154834 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275;
4. San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 632 3698;
5. Belize City, Timrose Augustine at 600 8672; and Belize City Council Liaison Officer to NEMO, Councillor Willoughby at 6309793
6. Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791;
7. Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 625 2526;
8. Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
9. Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
10. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936. You can also get updates at hydromet.gov.bz and nemo.org.bz

The Toledo District Command Centre has been activated since this morning.

The public is asked to continue to pay close attention only to the official reports and advisories.

Do not listen to rumours. Stay alert.

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National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

ADVISORY NO. 4

BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE NORTHWEST CARIBBEAN 

MONDAY, 19TH JUNE 2017, as at 6:00 a.m.     

UPDATE:  The low pressure system located near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.   It is producing winds up to gale force strength several hundred miles to the east and northeast of the center which are not affecting the country.   Although surface pressures are falling over the north western Caribbean Sea, the low still lacks a well-defined center of circulation.   Regardless of development, heavy rains are expected to continue over portions of Central America, and Belize.   If necessary an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system today.

Gradual development of this system is expected while it moves slowly north-north-westward across the Yucatan Peninsula, and then over the southern or central Gulf of Mexico today and tomorrow, where a tropical or subtropical cyclone is likely to form.  This system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall over the country with the heaviest rainfall likely over central, southern and some coastal areas.   The concerns remain localized flooding of low-lying communities and flash floods near rivers and streams especially in the south.

• People in coastal and southern parts of the country are advised to make the necessary arrangements to protect life and property. If you are at risk to flooding be prepared to move to higher grounds before nightfall, with family or friends or to a community shelter and check on family members and neighbours who might be in need of assistance.
• If you live on the cayes and along the coast review your evacuation plan and be prepared to evacuate when advised. Review your family emergency plan.    Keep handy, a first aid kit, basic tools, lanterns, batteries, flashlights, and non-perishable foods.  Keep an extra supply of medication.
• Secure at least three (3) days’ supply of food and water.  Plan for one (1) gallon of drinking water per person per day. Always remember to trim trees and secure your roof, windows and doors.   Safeguard your important documents and make plans for your pet.  Animals are not permitted in public shelters.
• Farmers must have a plan to secure their animals. Fishers are urged to listen to the weather bulletin before going to sea.   Do not wait until it’s too late to take action.  Saving your life and property are first and foremost your responsibility.
• Drivers are asked to drive with extreme care to avoid accidents due to slippery road conditions.

NEMO emergency coordinators can be reached as follows:

1. Corozal,  Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237;
2. Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, or Mr. Aragon at 636 6094;
3. Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 6154834 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275;
4. San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 632 3698;
5. Belize City, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672;  and Belize City Council Liaison Officer to NEMO, Councillor Willoughby at 6309793
6. Belmopan,  Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791;
7. Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 625 2526;
8. Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
9. Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
10. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936. You can also get updates at hydromet.gov.bz and nemo.org.bz

The public is asked to continue to pay close attention only to the official reports and advisories.  Do not listen to rumours.  Stay alert.

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