Flood Alert in Cayo

There is a flood warning in effect on the Macal, Belize and Deep Rivers, the Golden Stream and Sarstoon Rivers. The grounds became saturated due to several tropical waves that recently crossed the country and while the wet conditions may have inconvenienced many, it was the major disturbance that passed over Belize on Saturday night that disrupted the flow of traffic mostly in the Cayo District where a flood alert remains in effect. The rain fall was concentrated in the central area and rising waters submerged the diversion wooden bridge that takes you into San Ignacio Town as well as the Iguana Creek Bridge at the entrance to Spanish Lookout.

The National Emergency Management Organization NEMO says there is no need for concern and what you are looking at is not a repeat performance of the great flood of 2008. NEMO’s Cayo District Coordinator Al Westby told us there is no need for alarm.

Al Westby, NEMO’s Cayo District Coordinator
“The rise in the water is due to the runoff from the mountains and things like that. I was informed by Mr. Williams the hydrologist that it will continue that way for a while because the water is running off from the mountains and we expect that it will continue that way but there is not much to panic about except for us to keep monitoring the system and don’t get the people mislead.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What areas are being affected at this time?”

Al Westby,
“At this time it is people who live along the banks of the Macal River and the Mopan River. Presently especially in San Ignacio-Santa Elena Area it is Trapiech area, Branch Mouth, Santa Familia Area, as you know the low lying bridge in San Ignacio-Santa Elena is covered and also the Iguana Creek Bridge. I just came back from there just recently and the water is still rising and we are asking motorists to not to try to attempt cross that crossing at the Iguana Creek junction because it is very dangerous at this time.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
“What will happen to the residents living along the Mopan and the Macal River banks?”

Al Westby,
“Well if the water keeps rising then we will have to do something but at this point they are not in danger so all they have to do is we ask them to monitor it along with us and if they see that the water is coming up too high for them and they are not comfortable with it then they know how to do get in contact with us. They can call me anytime at 666-4964 any part of the night, anytime.”

Late this evening the Hydrological Department issued a release that states that the rainfall has ceased over the Macal and Mopan catchments. The Chalillo and Mojellon reservoirs on the Macal River are above their spillways and falling. The San Ignacio and Santa Elena River levels are above the low level bridge and rising slowly. The river level near Benque Viejo on the Mopan River is above normal and rising. At the Iguana Creek Bridge on the Belize River the level is above the bridge and rising and is impassable.

River levels are above normal on the Sibun River, steady near Jaguar Paw and rising near Gracie Rock. The North Stann Creek is normal and steady at Middlesex and Hope Creek. On the Sittee River near Kendall, rive levels are below normal and rising slowly.

The Monkey River at Swasey is above normal and falling. On the Golden Stream River, levels are above normal and falling. Floods are occurring on the Deep and Sarstoon Rivers and river levels are falling.

And as isolated showers are expected over the next twenty four hours and a decrease in river levels is expected on Tuesday, the flood alert has been lifted for the North Stann Creek, Sittee and Temash Rivers.

The bulletin did state that river levels are expected to continue to rise slowly on the Belize River, near the Iguana Creek Bridge, near Banana Bank and downstream towards the Belize River Valley. On the Sibun River levels are expected to continue to rise near Gracie Rock and Freetown. River levels on the Monkey, Deep and Sarstoon Rivers and Golden Stream will recede to above normal levels on Tuesday.

Just got back from Cayo. Flooding is down and all roads are open. Did get some rain but not enough to spoil anything. Great trip to Tikal with overnight at the awesome La Lancha. Now in SP for the next few days. Hot but great as usual. Fishing tomorrow....