WILMA WEAKENS


We start with the latest advisory on Hurricane Wilma. Here is Forecaster Dennis Gonguez.

Dennis Gonguez:



At twelve o'clock Wilma was near latitude 18.6 north at longitude 85.5 west. That position is about a hundred and eighty-five miles east of Corozal Town and a hundred and ninety-two miles east, northeast of Belize City. Wilma is now moving towards the northwest at about five miles per hour and is expected to continue on the west to northwest. The maximum sustained winds are a hundred and forty-five miles per hour.

Marian Ali:



Can we begin to assume that Wilma will just brush past us without affecting us directly?

Dennis Gonguez:



We will see some effects from Wilma and effects from the tropical storm force winds as we are experiencing over some parts of the country right now and that will continue for the most part through tonight.

Marian Ali:



What can we expect the weather to be like in northern Belize this afternoon and tonight?

Dennis Gonguez:



It will continue being cloudy with showers off and on and to an extent it may even become very very intense and windy. We expect winds to be in the range of about forty to forty five miles an hour. In fact we have our eleven o'clock observation from San Pedro and we had winds at twenty-five miles per hour gust into thirty-five miles per hour. Caye Caulker had also reported twenty-five miles per hour winds gusting to over forty-two miles per hour. Here at the international airport the wind was blowing at 15 knots and gusting to 32 knots at times. It will remain a bit windy and as Wilma makes its closest approach to our country.



San Pedro Town has suspended classes. The situation is reported less severe in Corozal. The Corozal District Emergency Management Organization issued a news release stating that it is maintaining a state of alert. Its Operation Center will continue to be manned by police and BDF personnel. Schools remain open in Corozal Town until further notice. School principals have been told they may use their discretion in specific circumstances that may be affecting their schools.


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WILMA FORCES AUDUBON SOCIETY TO CLOSE TWO MARINE MONUMENTS


The Belize Audubon Society has had to close the two marine monuments that it manages as a result of Wilma. We spoke this morning with Advocacy Manager at the Audubon Society, Tanya Williams Thompson.

Tanya Williams Thompson:



Half Moon and Blue Hole National Monuments have been closed. They are the two marine protected areas that the Belize Audubon Society manages. Sea conditions have been pretty rough and dangerous.

Marian Ali:



Have any damages been reported on these two monuments thus far?

Tanya Williams Thompson:



No. Not that we are aware of. Depending on the wave action we might see some erosion but later on in the week we shall get a report from these national monuments.

Marian Ali:



Do you anticipate that the Audubon might have to close any more of its national monuments?

Tanya Williams Thompson:



That would depend on the track of the hurricane system. As the weather service has been announcing it shouldn't affect southern or western Belize so in terms of that I don't think we expect to close anymore of the parks.



To our north, the entire area of Cancun in Mexico has been evacuated and the Cancun International Airport has been closed.