Local forecasters just announced that the storm is beginning its turn to the northwest.
They are optimistic that Rina will follow the forecast track north of us.

USA NWS agrees:

...RINA NOW MOVING SLOWLY WEST-NORTHWESTWARD...NEW WARNINGS ISSUED
FOR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA...

THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS ISSUED A HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE
NORTHEAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM CANCUN TO SAN FELIPE.

THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE
NORTH COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA WEST OF SAN FELIPE TO
PROGRESO.

AT 1000 AM CDT...1500 UTC...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE RINA WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 17.9 NORTH...LONGITUDE 85.5 WEST. RINA IS MOVING
TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 5 MPH...7 KM/H. A GRADUAL TURN TO
THE NORTHWEST WITH A SLIGHT INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED
LATER TODAY...FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH ON THURSDAY. ON
THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF RINA WILL BE MOVING NEAR OR OVER
THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA ON THURSDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 110 MPH...175 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. RINA IS A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
HURRICANE WIND SCALE. A GRADUAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN
TODAY...AND A FASTER WEAKENING MAY OCCUR AS THE CENTER MOVES NEAR
OR OVER THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. A NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT IS
CURRENTLY APPROACHING THE CENTER OF RINA.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES...35 KM...FROM
THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115
MILES...185 KM.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 967 MB...28.56 INCHES.

Pressure hasn't dropped since last evening

NEMO PRESS RELEASE # 6

At 6:00am the center of Hurricane Rina was located near 17.6 N, Latitude and 85.3 W, Longitude or about 198 miles east of Belize. Hurricane Rina is heading west at 4 mph with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Tropical Storm force winds extends out to 115 miles and Hurricane Force Winds extend out 25 miles from the centre. 2-4 inches of rainfall is anticipated. Rina is expected to become a major Hurricane within the next 24 hours. NEMO declares Phase III-Red 2 with effect 6:00 a.m. today.

Evacuation of San Pedro and Caye Caulker resumes this morning at 6:00 a.m. All vessels must remain in port. NEMO advises the general public not to go to sea.

NEMO assisted evacuation will be conducted for the Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts.

Communities of concern in Corozal District that will be evacuated are:
• Buena Vista will go to the CCC
• Caledonia will go to the Cornerstone Presbyterian High School
• Chunox will go to the CZL Town-CCC
• Consejo will go to the CZL Town-CCC
• Copper Bank will go to the Orange Walk – Multipurpose Bldg
• Fireburn will go to the Orange Walk-Multipurpose Bldg
• Progresso will go to the Orange Walk-Multipurpose Bldg
• Ranchito will go to the CZL Town CCC
• San Victor will go to the San Narciso RC School
• Sarteneja will go to the Saint Viator High School & Orange Walk-Multipurpose Bldg
• Yo Chen will go to the Cristo Rey Nazarene Church Bldg

Communities of concern in Orange Walk District that will be evacuated are:
• San Lorenzo will go to the Trial Farm Roman Catholic Primary School

Communities of concern in Belize District that will be evacuated are:
• Bomba will go to the Maskall Community Centre
• Boston will go to the King’s College Evangelical High School
• Davis and Grace Bank will go to the Orange Walk-San Francisco RC School
• Western Paradise will go to the Belmopan-Garden City Primary School
• Free Town Sibun will go to the Belmopan – UB Jabiru Bldg
• Lords Bank will go to the La Immaculada Bldg 3, Orange Walk
• Rhaburn Bridge will go to the Orange Walk, Carmelita Government School
• St. Paul’s Bank will go to the Belmopan-Garden City Primary School
• Willows Bank will go to the Methodist Church & Belmopan-Garden City Primary School
• Scotland Halfmoon will go to Belmopan Anglican Primary School & New Mennonite Church

There will be no evacuation of Belize City instead Shelters will be open as follows in Belize City:
• Mesoptamia will go to the Grace Primary & Salvation Army
• Freetown will go to the All Saints Pallotti
• Caribbean Shores will go to the Trinity Methodist
• Albert will go to the St. Ignatius Primary School (new bldg)
• Lake I will go to the St. Martin De Porres
• Port Loyola will go to the St. Johns Vianney
• Queen Square will go to the Queen Square Primary
• Fort George will go to the Pallotti High School
• Collet will go to the Gwen Liz.
• Pickstock (South) will go to the St. Martin de Porres
• Pickstock (North) will go to the Holy Redeemer

Public transportation is expected to operate its normal schedule. The public will be notified of any intended disruption

Schools have been suspended for the entire Cayo District, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts including Belize District. School staff and management must report to school to prepare their schools. Public Officers must be ready to report to their respective shelters in Orange Walk, Corozal, Belize City and Belmopan. Shelters are expected to be open this afternoon.

NEMO continues to monitor Hurricane Rina which has the potential to further strengthen. STAY ALERT! STAY TUNE! TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTIONS AS ADVISED!

Current Navy Track and Satellite photos

Satellite photos

We're in the clouds solidly now

Red-orange dot is San Pedro. Click image for larger version, then click that when it loads to zoom it up to full size....

If you plan to leave the island by boat the water taxis are stating that boat service to the mainland may be suspended as early as 10:30am.

Alcohol sales have been suspended.

Richies store and Casa Pan dulce are open for business for now.

Captain Shark's boat yard is full and cannot take any more boats.

DFC, San Pablo, San Mateo and San Pedrito residents should seek higher ground now.

We will expect to have high seas and tides for the next 24 hours.

Richie's Supermarket
FOR THOSE STAYING ON THE ISLAND WE AT RICHIE'S WILL BE OPEN ALL DAY UNTIL THE WEATHER PERMITS. WE HAVE FOOD SUPPLIES, FLASH LIGHTS, BATTERIES, RAIN COAT AND MUCH MORE. MAKE RICHIE'S YOUR ONE STOP. TAKE ADVANTAGE BEFORE THE ITEMS ARE SOLD OUT.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Schools have been suspended for the entire Cayo District, Orange Walk and Corozal Districts including Belize District. School staff and management must report to school to prepare their schools. Public Officers must be ready to report to their respective shelters in Orange Walk, Corozal, Belize City and Belmopan. Shelters are expected to open this afternoon.

Tropic says they are continuing to fly to schedule

sure is squeezing down into our lil corner of the globe here....

i like the looks of this northern jag from the most recent data... heck thats nearly NNW!!! about a 50 degree angle to the north from previous western track of early this morning.

Reliable source says:

In lieu of the approaching storm, to assist customers in their preparation starting

At midday (12:00pm) today Wednesday Oct 26. 2011 until midday (12:00pm) tomorrow Thursday Oct 27. 2011 is a Double Triple Day!
for BTL customer.

Spread the word, there won't be any ads only announcements.