In their 8 am EDT Friday Tropical Weather Outlook, NHC gave 97L 2-day and 5-day development odds of 20% and 30%, respectively. When 97L reaches the Western Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico by the middle of next week, we will need to watch it, but the crystal ball is very murky on whether or not 97L might find favorable conditions for development then.
Invest 97L Is Gradually Organizing As It Approaches The Lesser Antilles; The Western Caribbean
Crown Weather
Invest 97-L Located 700 Miles East Of The Lesser Antilles: A tropical wave, designated Invest 97-L, is located about 700 miles to the east of the Lesser Antilles or along the 55 West Longitude line. Invest 97-L continues to race westward at a forward speed of 25 to 30 mph and this fast forward motion is inhibiting development. The latest satellite imagery indicates that the shower and thunderstorm activity associated with Invest 97-L has increased since yesterday and has become a little more organized. Very slow development and organization is expected throughout this weekend into early next week due to the fast forward movement of Invest 97-L, even though all other environmental factors that contribute to tropical development are favorable. Invest 97-L is expected to slow down in forward speed by Tuesday and Wednesday as it reaches the western Caribbean and this is when we will really need to keep an eye on it for potential tropical development.
Turning to the latest model data – A majority of the model guidance forecasts that Invest 97-L will track from east to west across the Caribbean from Monday to Wednesday reaching the area of the eastern Yucatan Peninsula by Tuesday night or Wednesday. Once Invest 97-L reaches the western Caribbean, the latest model guidance forecasts this system to slow down and start to spin up first into a low pressure system and then possibly into a tropical cyclone. It should be noted that the latest guidance has trended further south in its track across the Caribbean and this trend will be monitored.
The track model guidance are further north than the operational GFS, European and Canadian models and these models forecast a track across the northern Caribbean towards the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula. The intensity guidance are all over the place with some of the members forecasting significant intensification while other members forecast little or no strengthening. Right now, I’m leaning towards the lower end of the intensity scale due to the quick forward movement of Invest 97-L which will limit development and intensification.
Here Are My Thoughts On Invest 97-L: From today through Monday, I do not expect Invest 97-L to develop into a tropical depression or a tropical storm due to its fast forward motion which will limit development and intensification. By Tuesday and Wednesday, the environmental conditions are forecast to be favorable for development as Invest 97-L slows down in forward speed while it moves into the western Caribbean. This is when we will need to keep a close eye on potential development as it will be in a environment that consists of low wind shear, very warm ocean water temperatures and enhanced upper-level divergence (which will help Invest 97-L “breathe).
How fast Invest 97-L develops and intensifies in the western Caribbean remains to be seen and how strong it becomes will determine its ultimate course into the Gulf of Mexico. If Invest 97-L strengthens considerably in the western Caribbean like the HWRF model forecasts (the HWRF model forecasts Invest 97-L to become a hurricane near Belize around Wednesday), then it will be more likely to turn more to the west-northwest or northwest and move into the southern and western Gulf of Mexico and towards the Texas coast. On the other hand, if Invest 97-L doesn’t strengthen very much and remains weak, it will be most likely to remain on a mostly westward course and move into southern Mexico or Central America and never make it into the Gulf of Mexico.
At this point, those of you in the western Caribbean, including the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize, should closely monitor the progress of Invest 97-L as it will be moving into the western Caribbean by Tuesday or Wednesday and may develop right on your doorstep.
For those of you in the southern and western Gulf of Mexico, at this point I think areas from Veracruz, Mexico to the lower and middle Texas coast need to keep an eye on Invest 97-L. Fortunately, there is plenty of time to keep an eye on this system as the earliest it may impact you will be sometime next weekend.
For more information, check the daily Tropical Weather Outlook HERE.
Invest 97L Information:
Model Track Forecast:
Model Intensity Forecast:
From Belmopan...
We have to take that INVEST 97L seriously, it has significantly developed over night. It is now in the Caribbean and several predictions bring it over or close to Belize. Presently there is not too much wind. There is still that ITCZ tropical air moving up northwards in front of it, which may carry it northwards or break it up, but the experts do not think so. That air and patches of cloud still coming down from Florida which brought over night rain is easing up, but there are still a few rain showers from it in any part of Belize.
5 day probability for development increased to 60% on 2 pm update from NHC. The thing is we won't have much warning at all if this system has rapid development on Monday-Tuesday. No way to know what is really in store, but being prepared tomorrow rather than waiting until September could be a good thing. There is some local thinking that an early hurricane can stir and cool the waters, making the later season less likely to spawn storms.
The long-range outlook for 97L If 97L manages to organize even modestly over the next 2-3 days, we'll have to keep a close eye on it. Model trends have been to route 97L on a fairly direct west to west-northwest path across the northern Caribbean, perhaps missing Hispaniola and most likely staying south of Cuba. Assuming that 97L forms a center of circulation and avoids major interaction with the high terrain of these islands, it will be well situated to strengthen--perhaps significantly--by late next week. A convectively coupled Kelvin wave (CCKW) has tended to suppress upward motion across the tropical Atlantic this week, but by later next week 97L may enter a region where the CCKW pattern favors upward motion. In addition, SSTs across the northwest Caribbean are very warm (29°C or 84°F, about 1°C above average), and there is a near-record amount of heat in the upper ocean to support rapid development if atmospheric conditions turn out to be favorable.
The SHIPS statistical intensity model is increasingly bullish on 97L, with the 18Z Saturday run of SHIPS bringing 97L to a Category 3 strength by Thursday. The last several runs of the HWRF model, which has shown increasing skill over the last several years, also project 97L to reach hurricane strength in the Caribbean (although the 12Z Saturday run appears to have had initialization problems, as noted by WU member Levi Cowan). The 12Z Saturday runs of the GFS and ECMWF models, two of the other more-trustworthy dynamical models, suggest that 97L could begin organizing just before crossing the Yucatan Peninsula and then develop further in the Bay of Campeche by late next week. It is far too soon to assign any confidence to model projections in this time range, but the available guidance indicates that 97L is well worth watching. NHC gives 97L a 60% chance of development by Thursday, August 4.
Surface winds across the tropical Atlantic at 1800Z (2:00 pm EDT) Saturday, July 30, 2016. The surface circulation is less organized with Invest 97L (far left) with Invest 96L (right), as 96L features weaker winds overall but a more evident surface circulation.
For more information, check the daily Tropical Weather Outlook HERE.
A powerful tropical wave is currently centered about 225 miles south of Puerto Rico. This wave is moving rapidly to the west at about 25 mph. There is a distinct possibility this system develops into an organized tropical system as it progresses westward through the Caribbean.
While the system currently lacks a well-defined low-level circulation, there is widespread heavy shower and thunderstorm activity associated with it. Heavy showers and thunderstorms capable of producing flooding are currently occurring from the northern Lesser Antilles westward into Hispaniola.
These thunderstorms will spread to Jamaica and Cuba on Monday before spreading into Central America by late on Tuesday and Wednesday. At this point, it appears as though the system will move over the Yucatan Peninsula at some point on Wednesday, possibly as a tropical depression or tropical storm.
This system will need to be closely monitored in the coming days.
Elsewhere, there are no active tropical systems, and none are expected to develop over the next 24-48 hours.
Atlantic tropical drought may end in Caribbean Sea this week
A tropical wave tracking through the Caribbean Sea this week will raise the potential for activity in the Atlantic Basin.
While the eastern Pacific Ocean has been busy, the Atlantic Basin hasn't had a tropical storm since Danielle roamed the Bay of Campeche in late June.
"Weak disturbances have been moving westward from Africa over the past couple of months," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. "Up to this point, there has been too much dry air and dust from the Sahara Desert for these systems to develop."
Dry air is common during June and July over much of the Atlantic.
The tropical wave will have obstacles to overcome on its path to end the tropical drought in the Atlantic Basin.
The tropical wave will race from the Leeward Islands and south of the Greater Antilles early this week, reaching the western Caribbean Sea by midweek. The potential for development will increase during this time.
The quick-forward speed of the wave is currently the main inhibitor against it organizing into a tropical depression.
"The wave is moving westward at 20-25 mph," AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis said.
Its forward speed should decline by midweek. Travis said the overall environment should become more conducive for the wave to organize into a tropical depression or storm.
The next tropical storm in the Atlantic would acquire the name "Earl."
"Even if the wave fails to develop before reaching central America or Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, it could then organize in the Bay of Campeche later in the week," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Despite initially struggling to become a tropical depression, the wave will continue to spread heavy and gusty showers and thunderstorms across the Caribbean Sea this week.
"The heaviest rain will target Puerto Rico and Hispaniola on Sunday night before expanding into Jamaica on Monday," AccuWeather Meteorologist Eric Leister said.
Localized flash flooding can result, especially in the higher terrain.
The downpours will shift to the northern Central American nations and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula during the middle and latter part of this week.
The flood risk, gusty winds and surf would increase if the wave becomes more organized and strengthens in the western Caribbean or southwestern Gulf of Mexico.
If the system tracks to the Bay of Campeche, those in eastern mainland Mexico and South Texas could face impacts next weekend.
Despite the active start to this hurricane season, a lull in activity in July in not uncommon. Tropical activity typically ramps up from August to early September as the waters of the Atlantic Basin reach their warmest.
On average, the second named storm in the Atlantic forms on August 1.
weather channel 6am report said 97 is likely to skip depression stage and go directly to storm today. Name will be Earl. Cantorre mentioned Belize City.
Invest 97L Is Likely A Tropical Storm & Will Impact Jamaica & The Cayman Islands From This Afternoon Into Tuesday As A Tropical Storm & Then The Yucatan Peninsula & Belize On Wednesday Night & Thursday As Possibly A Hurricane
Invest 97-L Located 350 Miles To The East-Southeast Of Kingston, Jamaica: Invest 97-L has become much better organized and in my opinion is already a tropical storm, even though the National Hurricane Center hasn't initiated advisories on it. Satellite imagery indicates that there is deep thunderstorm activity occurring and in fact this convection has increased in coverage since last night. In addition, satellite loops indicate there is an apparent spin of the thunderstorm activity with bands of thunderstorm activity forming near the deep convection. Finally, satellite wind data indicates that there are 40 to 45 mph surface winds occurring within the deep thunderstorm activity. All of this evidence leads me to believe that this is already Tropical Storm Earl and I expect to see the National Hurricane Center upgrade it to a tropical storm at some point today.
For those of you on the island of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, tropical storm conditions are expected to begin spreading across Jamaica sometime this afternoon or this evening and then reaching the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. These tropical storm conditions are expected to continue across Jamaica right through Tuesday before diminishing on Wednesday. Across the Cayman Islands, tropical storm conditions are expected throughout the day on Tuesday which could last into part of Wednesday before ending later Wednesday.
The latest model guidance consensus has shifted to the south in the overall forecast track of Invest 97-L. This means that while it is looking much less likely that there will be a Texas impact from this system, it looks very likely that Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, parts of Central America and parts of the east coast of Mexico will be impacted by this system. In fact, the intensity guidance is forecasting that Invest 97-L may be a hurricane by the time it reaches the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize on Thursday. It should be noted and taken into consideration that the HWRF model, which did forecast the intensification of Invest 97-L, is forecasting that this system may be a Category 1 or 2 hurricane and impact the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday night into Thursday.
Here Are My Thoughts On Invest 97-L: As I have already mentioned, it looks very likely that Invest 97-L is already a tropical storm and I fully anticipate the National Hurricane Center to initiate advisories on it sometime today. This means that Watches and Warnings will likely be issued as soon as midday for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands as tropical storm conditions are likely to spread across Jamaica this afternoon or this evening and then the Cayman Islands on Tuesday.
We are also going to have to really watch out for rapid intensification as the overall weather pattern and very favorable environmental conditions support rapid strengthening during Tuesday and Wednesday as this system tracks from near Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to near the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize by Thursday. This means that we need to strongly consider that Belize and parts of the Yucatan Peninsula may be impacted with hurricane conditions on Wednesday night and Thursday.
Fortunately for the coast of Texas and the rest of the US Gulf Coast, a strong upper level ridge of high pressure across the southern United States should guide Invest 97-L on a west and west-northwest path towards Mexico and possibly Central America. It is looking less likely at this point that there will be a break in the ridge of high pressure, so the chance for this system to turn northwestward towards Texas is decreasing considerably.
Everyone across Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Belize, the Yucatan Peninsula and the rest of the western Caribbean should be ready for tropical storm and even hurricane conditions.
As of Monday, 1 August, 2016 as at 6:00a.m. The National Meteorological Service and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) continue to monitor showers and thunderstorms associated with a strong and fast-moving tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean.
The wave which is some 900 miles east of Belize is moving at 20-25 miles per hour and it is currently showing signs of strengthening. It has 70% chance of becoming a Tropical Depression or Tropical Storm. It is likely to continue strengthening and is expected to start influencing our area by late Tuesday /early Wed morning.
NEMO District Emergency Committees have been meeting and will continue their meeting today. The Belize District Coordinator has been attached to the San Pedro Emergency Committee. CEMO is preparing Shelters and making arrangements for the buses in the event of a NEMO organized evacuation. Public Officers are being placed on notice to be prepared for their emergency duties. NEMO warehouses continue to receive supplies.
NEMO continues to advise people on the cayes who wish to seek shelter on the mainland need to pay close attention to NEMO advisories. People living in areas that are prone to flood are asked to stay alert. The local authorities and residents are advised to clear drains likely to cause flooding.
All persons particularly people living on the cayes, in flood prone areas, fisher folks, and farmers are advised to monitor this tropical wave and to be prepared to take the necessary precautions.
NEMO Emergency Coordinators can be reached as follows; Corozal, Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237; Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, Northern Regional Coordinator, Mr. Aragon at 6152264; Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 630 4830 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275; San Pedro, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672; Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791; Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224; Stann Creek, Mr. Victor Castillo at 630 9780; Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787 and the Southern Regional Coordinator, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 6309711. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.
NEMO continues to monitor the situation. All District Emergency Committees have been activated. Stay alert and be prepared! Do not listen rumours! Heed advice from the Met Service and NEMO.
Mid-day, Monday August 01, 2016 Central Caribbean Tropical Disturbance
GFS Model run initiated at 6:00 am Monday, August 01, 2016 , showing 850 mb 72 hours vorticity projection of Central Caribbean disturbance tracking westward. The center of the disturbance is undefined currently, but by Thursday morning (6:00am) it is forecast over the Gulf of Honduras just offshore northern Toledo-Stann Creek districts. Hence, even if the system does not mature into a hurricane it will bring extensive rainfall over the area. Worst scenario likely to be: local flash floods in the hilly terrain on Thursday and Friday, and local floods due to ponding over the coastal terrain�.
NEMO ADVISORY NO. 4: Strong Tropical Wave approaching the Central Caribbean becoming better organized
The National Emergency Management Organization hereby informs that the strong, fast moving tropical wave approaching the central Caribbean is now much better organized. The system is likely to become a tropical depression or storm within the next six to twelve hours. The tropical wave is likely to continue to move in a westward direction at about 20 to 25 miles per hour. This places Belize in its path. Conditions are expected to deteriorate in Belize around late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning with the system crossing the mainland during Wednesday night. If the system remains a tropical storm we can expect winds within the range of 50 to 60 miles per hour. Rainfall estimates are expected to be between 4-6 inches.
NEMO advises the public to remain calm. Any further development will be shared in an update.
Evacuation planning is in place to receive people from the cayes. The National Executive Committee will meet tomorrow at 7 a.m. to review the situation and decide if there is a need for an evacuation. The Department of Transport has notified key Bus operators to be prepared to assist with an evacuation once the decision is taken. Boat operators met today with the San Pedro Emergency Committee and are standing by. CEMO is making preparations to receive and transport people from the cayes to Belmopan and further west if necessary. Shelters are being prepared but remain closed at this time.
NEMO hereby advises, people on the cayes who feel it safe to leave the islands to do so on their own as a precaution for their safety. If you live in a flood prone area and along the coast you are strongly advised to move early. Residents and local authorities within their means, are strongly encouraged to clear drains to reduce the risk of flooding, to trim trees etc., and to secure their families and homes.
NEMO Emergency Coordinators can be reached as follows; Corozal, Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237; Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, Northern Regional Coordinator, Mr. Aragon at 6152264; Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 630 4830 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275; San Pedro, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672; Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791; Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224; Stann Creek, Mr. Victor Castillo at 630 9780; Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787 and the Southern Regional Coordinator, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 6309711. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.
NEMO is activated countrywide. Stay alert and be prepared! Do not listen to rumours! Continue to heed the advice from the Met Service and NEMO.
Press Release from Emergency Management Committee (EOC) in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) - Emergency Management Committee (EOC) in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker, have been fully activated as of 2PM on Monday August 1st.
Residents of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are being advised to start making preparations to secure properties. Boat operators and owners are being advised to review their plan of action and start taking necessary steps to secure their vessels. Contractors and hardware store owners are being asked to remove any and all items above their building that can be flying missiles during a storm.
Hotel and resort owners are being asked to please review their emergency preparedness plan and be ready to put in place measures to secure their guests and employees.
San Pedro Belize Express and Belize Ocean Ferry remain on standby if and when evacuation is necessary. IF evacuation off the island is necessary, shelterees will be transported to the Belmopan UB gymnasium in Belmopan City.
Residents are being advised to review their emergency preparedness plan and know what to do in case of a hurricane. In addition, residents must continue to be keen and be prepared to relocate or evacuate if necessary. Residents living in flood prone areas are being asked to start securing their properties and to protect all important belonging including personal documents.
The San Pedro EOC has secured three locations on the island that will act as shelters IF necessary. Those places are the San Pedro High School in the Boca del Rio Area, the San Pedro Roman Catholic School in the downtown area and New Horrizon Seventh Day Adventist School in the DFC area.
Those people who will be moving from low-lying areas into the shelters are being advised to adhere to the shelters rules. Shelterees are asked to take along ample supply of water, food, basic first-aid kit, battery powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries, sanitary supplies, personal documents, blankets, extra change of clothes for a maximum of three days. Pet owners are responsible to make plans to secure pets since they are not allowed in hurricane shelters.
NEMO in San Pedro and Caye Caulker continue to advise everyone to listen to their local radio and television for official NEMO advisory and to heed to all warnings when issued. The other meeting of the San Pedro EOC is scheduled for 6:00 PM. For any information or question, the San Pedro EOC can be contacted at (501) 226-4458, (501) 226-4358 and (501) 226-4824 and located at the San Pedro Town Council Conference Room. The Caye Caulker EOC is situated at the Seaside Villas Hotel.
NEMO ADVISORY NO. 4 B:
STRONG TROPICAL WAVE IN THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED
Aug 2
The National Emergency Management Organization hereby informs that the strong, fast moving tropical wave in the central Caribbean located 150 miles south-southwest of Kingston or some 650 miles east of Belize continues to move westward at about 20 mph. The system is producing winds of 40 to 45 mph, however it still appears to lack a closed surface circulation. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development, and Tropical Storm Earl could form later today. An Air Force Reserve Reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system this morning. As much as 6 inches of rain can be expected in our region.
If it develops into a Tropical Storm a watch followed by a warning will be issued, details to follow. People are encouraged to start putting their emergency plans into action. Stock up on essential supplies, medication, food, water, flash light, lantern, toiletries etc. If evacuating, move early. If you are going to shelter know which shelter you will go to and how you will get there. Take along what you need to survive and weather the storm for a few days. If you live in a flood prone area and along the coast and your home is not safe you are strongly advised to move early. Residents and local authorities are encouraged to clean drains to reduce flooding. Damages caused by tropical storm include: damage to trees, poorly constructed and older timber buildings; loose items can become projectiles damaging windows and doors. Broken glass, exposed nails, wood splinters and down power lines are dangerous; coastal roads will experience flooding and minor piers could suffer damage, boats can be washed away; damage to power lines and poles could result in power outages. Flooding pose a direct threat to life, contaminated water and sanitation systems poses serious health risks.
NEMO urges all to remain alert but calm. NEMO will provide more details after the 7:00 a.m. national executive committee meeting. Do not listen to rumours! Listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO and the National Met Service.
Invest 97L Still Not Yet Officially A Tropical Storm, But Is Expected To Become One Sometime Today; Invest 97-L Will Continue To Impact Jamaica & The Cayman Islands Today Through Tonight & Then The Yucatan Peninsula & Belize From Wednesday Afternoon Through Thursday As A Tropical Storm & Possibly A Hurricane
For those of you in Belize & the southern Yucatan Peninsula & the north coast of Honduras - Tropical storm and possibly hurricane conditions could begin to impact you Wednesday afternoon and continue through all of Wednesday night and Thursday. Even though there are no watches or warnings in effect, you should prepare now for hurricane conditions, just in case this system strengthens considerably before making landfall on Wednesday night.
The latest track model guidance of Invest 97-L are all in good agreement on a landfall in Belize as at least a tropical storm on Wednesday night. From there, the track guidance spread out a bit with their forecast tracks of Invest 97-L. A majority of the guidance members forecast a straight west to west-northwest track into the Bay of Campeche and then southern Mexico, however, the GFDL model suite forecasts a turn to the northwest towards northeast Mexico and south Texas by Saturday morning. Given the strong ridge of high pressure over Texas and Louisiana, I am disregarding the GFDL model suite and think a straight west or west-northwest track into southern Mexico seems much more likely right now.
Here Are My Thoughts On Invest 97-L: Even though Invest 97-L is a little less organized than at this time yesterday due to some southwesterly wind shear impacting it, I still think that it is already a tropical storm. Reconnaissance aircraft are now investigating this system to confirm or deny whether we do have a tropical storm. It should be noted, however, that environmental conditions become quite favorable in the western Caribbean, especially around 85 West Longitude as this is when it is forecast to slow down in forward speed and be able to take advantage of the geography near the Gulf of Honduras. So, if Invest 97-L is not a tropical storm right now, it very likely will be once it nears the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize on Wednesday and Wednesday night.
We are also going to have to watch out for a rapid spin-up before it makes landfall in the southern Yucatan Peninsula and Belize on Wednesday night as environmental conditions are forecast to be quite favorable in the western Caribbean. This means that we need to strongly consider that Belize, parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of Honduras may be impacted with hurricane conditions starting on Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Wednesday night and Thursday. All interests in Belize, the southern Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of Honduras should be preparing now for at least tropical storm conditions and very possibly hurricane conditions.
Word from the National Hurricane Center is that reconnaissance aircraft have found that Invest 97-L is indeed a tropical storm. Based on this information, they will be initiating advisories on Tropical Storm Earl by 12 pm EDT/11 am CDT today.
Second press release from the San Pedro NEMO - EOC
2st August 2016
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) - Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker, have been meeting to discuss the plan of action of the fast approaching tropical wave.
Residents on Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are being advised to begin start making preparations to secure properties. NEMO reminds boat operators and owners to start taking necessary steps to secure their vessels and advise vessels to remain in safe harbour.
Contractors and hardware store owners are being asked to remove any and all items above their building that can be flying missiles during a storm. Hotel and resort owners are being asked to begin to put in place measures to secure their guests and employees.
San Pedro Belize Express and Belize Ocean Ferry remain on standby should evacuation is necessary. IF evacuation off the island is necessary, shelterees will be transported to the Belmopan UB gymnasium in Belmopan City.
Residents living on both islands are being advised to begin taking steps to secure their belonging and property. In addition, residents must continue to be keen and be prepared to relocate or evacuate if necessary. Residents living in flood prone areas are being advised to consider moving into higher and dry areas before the storm.
Shelters on Ambergris Caye are San Pedro High School in the Boca del Rio Area, the San Pedro Roman Catholic School in the downtown area and New Horrizon Seventh Day Adventist School in the DFC area. In Caye Caulker, the shelter is Caye Caulker RC School. Shelter will be open on the advised of NEMO.
Those people who will be moving from low-lying areas into the shelters are being advised to adhere to the shelters rules. Shelterees are asked to take along ample supply of water, food, basic first-aid kit, battery powered radio, flashlights and extra batteries, sanitary supplies, personal documents, blankets, extra change of clothes for a maximum of three days. Shelterees may be search by Police officers to ensure the shelterees' safety. Pet owners are responsible to make plans to secure pets since they are not allowed in hurricane shelters.
Expecting mothers and families with young children are hereby advised to consider evacuation before the storm. Residents with chronic illness are being advised to restock on their personal medical supplies.
All liquor establishments and shops that are the holders of a liquor license are being advised that the sale of liquor is being suspended as of 6PM on Wednesday August 3rd until the all-clear is declared by NEMO.
Members of the Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Police Department remains on both islands to secure life and property.
NEMO in San Pedro and Caye Caulker continue to advise everyone to listen to their local radio and television for official NEMO advisory and to heed to all warnings when issued. The other meeting of the San Pedro EOC is scheduled for 1:00 PM. For any information or question, the San Pedro EOC can be contacted at (501) 226-4458, (501) 226-4358 and (501) 226-4824 and located at the San Pedro Town Council Conference Room. The Caye Caulker EOC is situated at the Seaside Villas Hotel.
...AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTER PLANE FINDS TROPICAL STORM EARL IN THE NORTHWESTERN CARIBBEAN SEA... ...EARL IS THE FIFTH TROPICAL STORM OF THE 2016 HURRICANE SEASON...
Max winds predicted at 63phs (55 knots)
Data from an Air Force reconnaissance plane indicate that the
strong wave we have been tracking for days has developed a closed
circulation center with an estimated pressure of 1001 mb. On this
basis, advisories on Tropical Storm Earl have been initiated. This
is the fifth tropical storm of the 2016 hurricane season.
At 1200 PM EDT (1600 UTC), the center of Earl was located near
latitude 16.3 North, longitude 80.2 West. Earl is moving toward the
west near 22 mph (35 km/h), and this motion with a decrease in
forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. On this
track, the center of Earl will be moving very close to the north
coast of Honduras late tonight and Wednesday and approach Belize and
the Yucatan peninsula late Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some additional strengthening is forecast before Earl reaches the
Yucatan peninsula.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from an Air Force plane was
1001 mb (29.56 inches).
The overall convective pattern was a little less organized this
morning, but recent images indicate that an area of deep convection
is forming near or over the center. The upper-level outflow is not
well established yet in all quadrants due to some shear. Most of
the global models show that the upper-level environment should
become more favorable with less shear. The NHC forecast calls for
some intensification, and Earl is expected to be near hurricane
strength by the time the center approaches the Yucatan peninsula.
Earl has been moving westward rapidly around 19 kt embedded within
very strong easterly flow around the periphery of the Atlantic
subtropical high. The ridge extends westward across the southern
United States, and this pattern should maintain the cyclone
on a general westward track across Belize and Yucatan during the
next couple of days. After that time, a weakened Earl should move
over the southern Bay of Campeche and southern Mexico. The cyclone
should slow down during the next 12 to 24 hours since the steering
currents are expected to be weaker. Most of the dynamical guidance
agree on this scenario, and the NHC forecast very closely follows
the multi-model consensus.
The Governments of Mexico and Belize have issued a Tropical Storm
Warning and a Hurricane Watch for the east coast of the Yucatan
peninsula from Punta Allen, Mexico, southward to the Belize/
Guatemala border.
The Government of Honduras has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for
the entire north coast of Honduras from Cabo Gracias a Dios westward
to the Honduras/Guatemala border including the Bay Islands.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Punta Allen, Mexico, southward to the Belize/Guatemala border.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Cabo Gracias a Dios westward to the Honduras/Guatemala border
including the Bay Islands.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* East coast of the Yucatan peninsula from Punta Allen, Mexico,
southward to the Belize/Guatemala border.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible
within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours
before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force
winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or
dangerous.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
coast of Honduras by late tonight, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous, and will reach Mexico and Belize within the
warning area by Wednesday night. Hurricane conditions could begin
in Mexico and Belize within the hurricane watch area Wednesday
night.
RAINFALL: Earl is expected to produce an additional 2 to 4 inches
of rainfall over Jamaica. Total rain accumulations of 8 to 12 inches
are expected over portions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and the
Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, with possible isolated maximum amounts
of 16 inches in Mexico and Belize. These rains could result in
life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
STORM SURGE: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2
to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of
Belize and the eastern Yucatan peninsula to the north of where the
center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied
by large and damaging waves.
"Earl will approach Belize and the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with heavy rain and gusty winds later Wednesday or Wednesday night," Kottlowski said.
The northern coast of Belize, as well as low-lying areas in the Mexico state of Quintana Roo, could be subject to coastal flooding and beach erosion. In addition to the threat of flooding, trees can be knocked over and power outages are possible.
The very fast forward motion will limit strengthening so that Earl probably does not have enough time to become a hurricane.
The extent and severity of the rain and wind will depend on the strength of Earl at landfall. Flooding and sporadic power outages can occur even if a tropical storm or minimal hurricane moves ashore.
Given the latest info, do you still think we should fly in today or not at all. I am concerned with the aftermath from the storm as well. We don't really want to spend a week on the island if we won't be able to enjoy it. Any thoughts are welcome
Hi Max, the latest information changes nothing, it confirms what I thought before... it doesn't look (right now) like it will be a bad storm.... some wind and rain for sure. and folks on the island HAVE to get ready just in case....
This still looks more like a Tropical Wave. Its active ITCZ type swell-up areas keeps splitting during the day time.
The western caribbean is warm though, and it could approach hurricane force (75mph winds) as it nears the coast. on Wednesday night
from Crown Weather just now... pretty much the same....
Even though Earl is a little less organized than at this time yesterday, an area of deep thunderstorm activity has develop near or right over the center of circulation. Environmental conditions are forecast to become increasingly more favorable for strengthening of the storm. This means that Earl could be near or at hurricane strength by the time it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula on Wednesday evening.
For those of you in Belize & the southern Yucatan Peninsula & the north coast of Honduras - Tropical storm and potentially hurricane conditions could begin to impact you during Wednesday afternoon and continue through all of Wednesday night and Thursday. So, prepare now for hurricane conditions, just in case this system strengthens considerably before making landfall on Wednesday night.
I am still concerned that we could see a fairly rapid spin-up before it makes landfall in the southern Yucatan Peninsula and Belize on Wednesday night as environmental conditions are forecast to be quite favorable in the western Caribbean. This means that Belize, parts of the Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of Honduras may be impacted by hurricane conditions starting on Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Wednesday night and Thursday. So, to stress once again, all interests in Belize, the southern Yucatan Peninsula and the north coast of Honduras should be preparing now for hurricane conditions.
NEMO hereby informs that Tropical Storm Earl has formed in the Central Caribbean. TS Earl is moving due west at 22 mph with winds of 47 mph. Present location is 16.3 north latitude and 80.2 west longitude. The system is likely to make landfall on Wednesday night/ early Thursday morning. Tropical Storm have the potential for further development into a Category 1 Hurricane.
NEMO hereby declares Phase 2, one red flag with black centre is to be flown. A Tropical Storm Warning/ Hurricane watch is in effect for Belize. This means that within 24 hours' time we should experience rough seas, wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour and continuous rainfall along the coast drifting westward over Belize. We are anticipating storm surge of about 2-4 feet high and up to 16 inches of rainfall which can result in flood conditions.
Likely damages associated with these conditions are flooding of crops, uprooting of trees, destruction to poorly constructed and older timber buildings; loose items becoming projectiles damaging windows and doors. Broken glass, exposed nails, wood splinters and down power lines are dangerous; coastal roads will experience flooding and minor piers could suffer damage, boats can be washed away; damage to power lines and poles could result in power outages. Flooding pose a direct threat to life, contaminated water and sanitation systems poses serious health risks.
Actions being taken by NEMO.
All national and district committees have been activated and are conducting their implementation meeting.
Boats, buses and shelters being prepared to evacuate, transport people from the cayes and receive people in Belize City who need to shelter on the mainland.
San Pedro committee, CEMO and NEMO in Belmopan will be opening shelters in the morning for people to weather the storm. Public Officers assigned Shelter duties in these communities are to report to their Human Resource Coordinator.
All National Liaison Officers to report to the National Emergency Operations Centre, NEMO building for 1:00 p.m. today.
Actions to be carried out by the public.
Listen to the advisories. Stay alert.
Parents are hereby urged to check on their children and family members on vacation, make sure they are safe.
All who need to evacuate, put your evacuation plan into action. If it is not safe where you are be it the cayes or along the coast, move to the mainland. It is advisable if you will leave the cayes, do so starting today.
If you are going to shelter know which shelter you will go to and how you will get there. Take along your food, water, medications, and personal hygiene items so you can survive and weather the storm for a few days.
If you live in a flood prone area and along the coast and your home is not safe you are strongly advised to move early to a shelter in your area.
Residents and local authorities are encouraged to quickly organize and clear drains that can reduce flooding in their area. Start putting your emergency plan in place. Stock up on food, water, medication and shutter your home.
Mariners especially small craft must seek safe harbour /stay in port within 24 hours. Note. Cruise ships have already diverted from our area. Water Taxis are to monitor sea state conditions and be prepared to cease operations in accordance with seas state and safety of life at sea conditions.
NEMO urges all to remain alert but calm. Do not listen to rumours! Listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO and the National Met Service.
*** WEATHER NOTICE *** We are monitoring the area of disturbed weather in the Western Caribbean (97L), and will continue to do so as it approaches the Yucatan Peninsula, Honduras, and Belize tomorrow and Thursday. Currently, we are operating a normal flight schedule. If adjustments in our flight operations are required, we will do our best to keep all our customers (and those affected by the adjustments) informed. Any queries regarding the exact status of your flight(s) can be answered by contacting our reservations team at +501 226 2012 or by email at [email protected]
The outlook for Earl Although Earl kept forecasters guessing as to exactly when it would become a tropical storm, forecast models have come into increasing solidarity on Earl's prognosis. A sprawling area of high pressure to the north of Earl will keep the storm moving on a general westerly path. Even though it will slow down a bit over the next day or two, Earl still has less than two days to gather strength before it makes landfall late Wednesday, most likely in Belize but possibly on the far southeast Mexican coast of the Yucatan peninsula. The official NHC outlook keeps Earl just below hurricane strength at landfall late Wednesday night. Wind shear is predicted by the SHIPS model to remain at a light to moderate 10 - 20 mph, although parts of the circulation are being affected by stronger shear to the north associated with a slow-moving upper-level trough over the northwest Atlantic. We will have to keep a close eye on Earl tonight and Wednesday, as sea-surface temperatures are more than 1°C above average over the northwestern Caribbean, and Earl's path will put it on the south edge of an area of of extremely high oceanic heat content that covers most of the northwest Caribbean. These waters would support rapid intensification if other conditions were favorable, although Earl may not be well enough organized to take full advantage of this oceanic rocket fuel.
The 00Z Tuesday ensemble runs of the ECMWF model were unanimous in keeping Earl as a weak tropical storm, while most members of the 06Z Tuesday GFS ensemble brought Earl up to strong tropical storm strength. The 12Z Tuesday run of the SHIPS statistical model gives Earl a 21% chance of a 24-hour increase of 25 knots in sustained winds, which would bring Earl to the threshold of hurricane status. Although the prospect is unlikely, I wouldn't be shocked to see Earl become a minimal hurricane just before landfall, as predicted by the 06Z Tuesday run of the HWRF model. We're very lucky that Earl is moving across the Caribbean so quickly, or else it could have become a much more formidable storm. If Earl remains far enough north on its trek across the Yucatan, it may have a brief window to reorganize across the southern Bay of Campeche, where the short-lived Tropical Storm Danielle formed in late June. It's worth noting that Earl will be the fifth of all five named systems in the Atlantic this year to make landfall somewhere.
The Navy web site is often one of the most accurate forecasts.
The strongest winds by Thursday are expected to be up to 50 mph with 65 mph gusts.
This is low end Tropical Storm. So winds are not expected to be the big problem.
Bur rain, well if the last two days are to go by, we could be seeing significant rain, some patches heavy rain from Wednesday afternoon, getting worse through Wednesday night, easing off by Thursday morning.
International Space Station cameras captured a tropical system in the Caribbean Sea on Aug. 1 southeast of Jamaica moving due west. At Noon ET on Aug. 2, the system formed into Tropical Storm Earl.
at 500 PM EDT (2100 utc), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was
located near latitude 16.4 north, longitude 81.5 West. Earl is
moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue through Thursday. On this track,
the core of Earl is expected to pass just north of the Honduras Bay
Islands Wednesday afternoon and then be very near the Belize
coast early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some strengthening is forecast, and Earl could be near hurricane
strength as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km)
to the north of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
Hazards affecting land
Wind: tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
coast of Honduras by late tonight, making outside preparations
difficult or dangerous, and will reach Mexico and Belize within the
warning area by Wednesday night or early Thursday. Hurricane
conditions could begin in Mexico and Belize within the Hurricane
Watch area Wednesday night or early Thursday.
Rainfall: Earl is expected to produce an additional 2 to 4 inches
of rainfall over Jamaica. Total rain accumulations of 8 to 12 inches
are expected over portions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, with possible isolated maximum amounts
of 16 inches in Mexico and Belize. These rains could result in
life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
Storm surge: a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2
to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of
Belize and the eastern Yucatan Peninsula to the north of where the
center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied
by large and damaging waves.
It appears that Earl has slowed down as anticipated, and is
now moving westward or 275 degrees at 14 kt. The cyclone is
embedded within the deep easterly flow on the south side of a ridge.
This flow pattern will continue to steer Earl on a general west to
west-northwest track with a gradual decrease in forward speed across
Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next 2 days or so. After
that time, Earl will likely move over the southern portion of the
Bay of Campeche where it could re-intensify some. There is good
confidence with this track scenario, and the NHC forecast very
closely follows the multi-model consensus.
local report ........perfect skies, water not to rough, rumbling of distant thunder from someplace. locals report that fish are going up the river in mazing volume, clearly en route to lagoon for shelter - they caught a lot of fish, some very large/ my dog and others are not liking this event at all ....... shaking and hiding well in advance of Earl. all fascinating ......! we'll be fine. :-)
at 800 PM EDT (0000 utc), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was
located near latitude 16.4 north, longitude 82.3 West. Earl is
moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue through Thursday. On this track,
the core of Earl is expected to pass just north of the Honduras Bay
Islands Wednesday afternoon, and then be very near the Belize
coast early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h) with
higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast, and Earl could be
near hurricane strength as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan
Peninsula.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km)
to the north of the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from NOAA hurricane hunter
aircraft data is 996 mb (29.41 inches).
It appears that Earl has slowed down as anticipated, and is
now moving westward or 275 degrees at 14 kt. The cyclone is
embedded within the deep easterly flow on the south side of a ridge.
This flow pattern will continue to steer Earl on a general west to
west-northwest track with a gradual decrease in forward speed across
Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next 2 days or so. After
that time, Earl will likely move over the southern portion of the
Bay of Campeche where it could re-intensify some. There is good
confidence with this track scenario, and the NHC forecast very
closely follows the multi-model consensus.
NEMO has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for the entire country. At 6:00p.m Tropical Storm Earl was centered near Latitude 16.4°N, Longitude 82.3°W or 398 miles east of Belize City. Earl is moving westward near 16 mph. On this track, the center of Earl will make landfall on Belize Wednesday night or early Thursday. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast and Earl could be near hurricane strength as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Earl will produce rainfall accumulation of 8-12 inches over Belize. These rains could cause flash floods and mud slides especially over higher terrain. For coastal areas, there is also a risk for flooding, especially in low lying areas such as Belize City. All marine interests, especially small crafts, should exercise caution this evening and tonight, and seek safe harbour tomorrow morning as large swells will be affecting our coastal waters. In case of urgent /emergency last minute runs in the morning large Seagoing carriers are to exercise best judgement based on the sea state conditions. You are asked to keep NEMO informed. The NEMO Operations Officer number is 661 1190.
Actions being taken by NEMO.
People who have livestock in low lying areas that are flood prone should move them to higher grounds.
Farmers in flood prone areas who have crops out in the fields that are close to harvesting should take action.
Price gouging will not be tolerated.
Labour matters: All employers are hereby advised that they are to comply with the directive (s) from NEMO regarding employees safety. In the circumstance an employee has the right to seek safety. Any employer who prevents and employee from leaving, commits an offense under the provisions of the Labour Amendment Act #3 of 2011.
Belize City Swing: Bridge will be open at 5:30a.m. tomorrow morning.
Belize Airport Authority will be closed at midday tomorrow.
The last bus runs will leave from the north, west and south at midday and from Belize City to north, west and south at 4p.m. Urgent /emergency last minute runs must be cleared with NEMO operations officer.
Municipal flights will be suspended at midday tomorrow.
Port Closures: Fort St Tourism Village is closed; molasses and sugar vessels closed down and moved to safe waters; Port of Belize closed at 5:00 p.m. today; Port of Big Creek closed at 3:00 p.m. today, after the last vessel left for safe waters; Puma energy will be closed tomorrow at 12:00 midday. We have instructed that the port at San Pedro and PG be closed to cross border traffic after the last vessel today.
From Tropic Air
***SEVERE WEATHER NOTICE*** Due to the effects of tropical storm Earl, which will be affecting the coastline of Belize, Tropic Air will be temporarily suspending all flights on Wednesday afternoon, August 3rd. This includes our flights to our international destinations such as Cancun, Merida and Roatan. We anticipate a full resumption of flights as soon as the local authorities in Belize issue an "all clear" on Thursday.
All our offices remain open and our reservations team is standing by to rebook, alter or help any of our passengers with travel reservations affected by tropical storm Earl. They are also available to answer any Tropic Air travel related questions. You can contact them at +501 226 2012 or via email at [email protected].
Please note that we will not be accepting any new cargo starting 5pm today (Tuesday) until further notice. For cargo queries, please contact your nearest Tropic Air Station.
Bowen & Bowen is open today (Tuesday) till 8PM!!!.
forecast just changed to Hurricane at landfall in Belize storm is already 60MPH, and forward speed has slowed to 16 (still fast, but way down from 25) Hurricane Warning for Belize was issued a little while ago
...EARL RESUMES A WESTWARD MOTION TOWARD THE BAY ISLANDS AND BELIZE...
A large subtropical ridge centered over
the southern United States should steer Earl generally westward to
west-northwestward for the next 3-4 days, with the cyclone moving
near the Bay Islands of Honduras in 12-18 hours, near or over
Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico in about 24
hours, and over southeastern Mexico and possibly the Bay of
Campeche thereafter. The new forecast track is similar to, but
south of, the previous track based mainly on the initial position,
and it lies a little to the south of the various consensus models.
Earl is expected to remain in a light to moderate vertical wind
shear environment over very warm sea surface temperatures until
landfall. This combination should allow continued strengthening,
and the forecast intensity at landfall has been increased slightly
from the previous advisory based on the SHIPS and LGEM models.
Weakening will occur after landfall as the cyclone passes over
southeastern Mexico. The new forecast track has Earl spending less
time over the Bay of Campeche than the previous track, so the new
intensity forecast shows less re-intensification than the previous
forecast.
is an updated track of TS Earl as it heads towards the coast of Belize at about 16 mph. Earl will very likely reach hurricane strength before making landfall on Wednesday night or early Thursday. The system will also slow down as it begins to interact with the N coast of Honduras and Belize and may become erratic.
NEMO is hereby upgrading the Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch to a Hurricane Warning for the entire coast of Belize, as Tropical Storm Earl is likely to intensify to Hurricane strength, just before making landfall. Weather conditions over the country is expected to deteriorate to hurricane conditions within the next twenty four (24) hours, meaning winds in excess of 70 mph will be affecting the country of Belize. Rainfall is estimated to be as high as 12 inches. Storm surge is likely to be 3-5ft.
Tropical Storm Earl maintains it westerly track moving 16 mph, it is probable that the track could change during the course of the next 6-12 hours. TS Earl was centered near Latitude 16.4°N, Longitude 83.0°W or approx 350 miles east of Belize City. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts.
All are advised to pay keen attention and take the necessary actions to save life. Shelters will be open from 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to receive people who want to seek shelter on the Cayes, , Belize City, Belize District, Dangriga and Punta Gorda.
First set of shelters that will open:
San Pedro:
1. New Horizon 7th Day Adventist School
2. San Pedro High School
3. San Pedro RC Primary
Caye Caulker:
1. Caye Caulker RC School
1. Garden City Primary School
2. Belmopan Comprehensive High School
Belize City
1. St. John's Vianney
2. Unity Presbyterian Primary School
3. St. Luke Methodist Primary School
4. St. Martin De Porres Primary School
5. Pallotti High School
Earl approaching hurricane strength
Accuweather
8/3/2016 12:17:51 AM
Tropical Storm Earl is located at 16.1° N, -83.7° W with maximum sustained winds of 65mph and gusts to 75mph
Tropical Storm Earl continues on a westward path late this evening and is slowly strengthening as it treks closer to Belize. Earl, now a 65-mph sustained tropical storm, remains in a suitable environment for additional strengthening over the next 24 hours. Earl may briefly become a hurricane before it makes landfall in Belize. There is still some question regarding its interaction with the higher terrain of Honduras as it pushes westward. The Sierra La Esperanza Mountain range hugs the northern coast of Honduras, with some elevations ranging between 6,000 to 8,000 feet. If Earl maintains a more westerly track and interacts with these higher elevations, this would prevent further strengthening. Regardless of whether or not Earl reaches hurricane strength, the storm will be situated in the very warm waters of the Gulf of Honduras with relatively low wind shear aloft, which will be conducive for maintaining very strong tropical storm strength.
Rainfall and gusty winds will move into Honduras and Nicaragua this morning before spreading into Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula later today. Across this area, potentially hurricane-force wind gusts and flooding rainfall can be expected. Parts of the Yucatan Peninsula could have upwards of 12 inches of rain as Earl passes. Heavy rainfall across any mountainous terrain could trigger flash flooding and mudslides.
Should the system survive its trek across the Yucatan Peninsula, it will likely graze the extreme southern Bay of Campeche where some re-strengthening would be likely prior to a potential second landfall in southern Mexico either late this week or early in the weekend.
TS Earl Bearing Down On Belize, May Be Hurricane By Landfall
Tonight the entire country of Belize is under a Tropical Storm Warning and there is a Hurricane Watch for the entire country.
This is for Tropical Storm Earl, which at 6:00 pm had strengthened to maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour - making it a very strong tropical storm.
The storm is moving westward near 16 miles per hour and the Met Office says that - at this rate - the center of Earl will pass just north of the Honduras Bay Islands Wednesday afternoon, and be very near the coast of Belize late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
So, tonight, Belizeans all over are waiting with apprehension and watching carefully, and here's what you need to know.
The storm is expected to make landfall at or near category one hurricane strength on the coast of Belize. Where exactly? It's too early to tell, but the computer models suggest that the storm is heading right to Belize City, or may veer to the north. Now while you may hear us say that it will be a Tropical Storm or a Category 1 hurricane - and think that it could be worse, this is a very serious matter - we all remember the last Category 1 storm to hit Belize that was Richard in October of 2010, and that storm mashed up the city, and did major damage all the way to Belmopan.
But, the marginally good news is, basically you have 24 hours to prepare. The storm is currently about 395 miles east of Belize City, 370 miles east of San Pedro and 340 miles from Half Moon Caye. Today we went to the MET officer for a forecast and what we should look out for:
Catherine Cumberbatch, Deputy Chief Meteorologist "This morning the national hurricane center in Miami sent a reconnaissance aircraft into the system and they came up and found the circulation which we were monitoring and we already had spotted the circulation before they had mentioned it to the East of the system we had spotted the circulation and that system with the winds and everything has been upgraded to a tropical storm and is now tropical storm Earl. So now at 10am this morning the position of that system was the tropical storm, Earl, was sent to near latitude 16.3 north or longitude 18.2 west. That would bring it to about 491 miles east of Halfmoon Caye Belize, 527 miles east of san Pedro Ambergris Caye, 534 miles east of Dangriga, 537 east of Belize City, 561 east of Corozal town and 571 east of Punta Gorda Town, all for the country of Belize. Tropical Storm Earl at that time was moving near 22 miles per hour and the forecast track, Earl expected to have a slight decrease in the forward speed. The center of Tropical Storm Earl will move close to the coast of Honduras late tonight and by tomorrow we'll expect that tropical storm Earl should be moving over the Belize and Yucatan peninsula area. with that said, the government of Belize has declared a tropical storm warning for the entire country of Belize and a hurricane watch for the entire country of Belize."
Deputy Met Officer Cumberbatch also discussed what they expect the weather conditions all over the country to look like over the next 36 to 48 hours. She said that the forecasting models are predicting that as early as tomorrow evening, the weather conditions all over should start to deteriorate drastically:
Catherine Cumberbatch, Deputy Chief Meteorologist "So as you look at in a loop form, this is how the system is expected before it moves over the area. Because of the spiral bands, the whole coast line of Belize from north through to south will be impacted according to this model here. We have a small grid just over on Belize. So as you look at it here, this is by tomorrow evening at 6 o'clock, so you see that the weather will be really deteriorating from around 3 o'clock tomorrow we'll expect conditions. If the system remain at the same speed, this is the conditions of the amount of rainfall that we are expecting in the Belize area here. We expect that the rainfall starts to fall from tomorrow right on through to Thursday. we are going for a total of 12 to 8 inches of rainfall and these rainfalls can cause flood and flashflood in the higher terrain, mudslide possible flooding in the low laying area and so. We are expecting flooding in these amount of rainfall and as I said, gust, we expect the tropical storm force been to expect us. The present track of this system, possible it could be hurricane, possible we could get gust up to the strength of hurricane. Gust, not average wind speed, could reach hurricane strength."
NEMO REPORT:
And we close tonight with one more work on Tropical Storm Earl which is bearing down on Belize tonight. At 6:00 pm, the storm was 398 miles east of Belize City and moving westward near 16 mph. It is expected to make landfall on Belize Wednesday night or early Thursday morning. Maximum sustained winds at 6:00 pm were near 60 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast and Earl could be near hurricane strength as it approaches Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula.
Earl will produce rainfall accumulation of 8-12 inches over Belize and these rains could cause flash floods and mud slides especially over higher terrain. For coastal areas, there is also a risk for flooding, especially in low lying areas such as Belize City. NEMO advises that the Belize Airport Authority will be closed at midday tomorrow, and the last bus runs will leave from the north, west and south at midday and from Belize City to north, west and south at 4p.m. Also Municipal flights will be suspended at midday tomorrow. ?the public is cautioned to listen to the advisories and stay alert and if you live in a flood prone area and along the coast and your home is not safe you are strongly advised to move early to a shelter in your area.
If you are going to shelter, know which shelter you will go to and how you will get there. Take along your food, water, medications, and personal hygiene items so you can survive and weather the storm for a few days.
at 800 am EDT (1200 utc), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was
located near latitude 16.3 north, longitude 84.4 West. Earl is
moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed
during the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the core of Earl
is expected to pass near the Honduras Bay Islands this afternoon,
and then make landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph (110 km/h)
with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the
next 24 hours, and Earl is likely to become a hurricane later
today. Weakening is expected after the center of Earl moves inland.
A NOAA hurricane hunter aircraft is currently investigating Earl.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km)
from the center.
The minimum central pressure recently estimated by a NOAA hurricane
hurricane aircraft was 989 mb (29.20 inches).
Wind: tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the
coast of Honduras, including the Bay Islands, this morning, making
outside preparations difficult or dangerous. These conditions will
reach Belize and Mexico within the hurricane and Tropical Storm
Warning area by tonight or early Thursday. Hurricane conditions are
expected to begin in the Bay Islands of Honduras later today and
in portions of the Hurricane Warning area in Belize and Mexico
tonight or early Thursday.
Rainfall: Earl is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 8
to 12 inches over portions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and the
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico through Thursday night. Very heavy
rain will reach the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz between
Thursday night and Saturday morning. Isolated maximum amounts of
16 inches are possible in Belize and Mexico. These rains could
result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
Storm surge: a storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3
to 5 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of the
Honduras Bay Islands, Belize and the eastern Yucatan Peninsula
near and to the north of where the center makes landfall. Near the
coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves.
Earl will impact parts of Central America and Mexico with heavy rain, gusty winds and rough seas at midweek.
Earl could become a hurricane at any time on Wednesday, prior to landfall. The system will move along a general west to northwest path.
"The center of the system should make landfall in Belize during Wednesday night," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
The risk of damaging winds, flooding and rough surf will extend well away from the center.
Once Earl begins to interact with land, especially the higher elevations of Honduras and Belize, the strengthening process should cease.
All interests in the western Caribbean should continue to monitor the track and strength of Earl. Bathers and boaters can expect building seas and an increasing risk of rip currents into Thursday.
"The biggest output from Earl will be heavy rainfall, which could top 12 inches in some locations," Kottlowski said.
The greatest danger to lives will be from flash flooding and mudslides.
Significant gusty squalls and heavy rainfall will spread westward across Honduras, northern Nicaragua, northeastern Guatemala, southeastern Mexico and Belize into Wednesday night.
Coastal areas of Belize, northeastern Guatemala and low-lying areas in the Mexico state of Quintana Roo, could be subject to coastal flooding and beach erosion. In addition to the threat of flooding, trees can be knocked over and power outages are possible.
The extent and severity of the rain and wind will depend on the strength of Earl at landfall. Flooding and sporadic power outages can occur even if a tropical storm or minimal hurricane moves ashore.
Once over land, Earl will weaken, but locally torrential rainfall and gusty winds will continue to spread westward over the region during Thursday.
The last flights off the island (Ambergris Caye) today to Corozal are Tropic Air 12:00 noon and Maya Island Air 11:00 a.m. All other flights for the rest of the day are suspended until the all clear is given.
The Thunderbolt Water Taxi will only have a ONE way scheduled ride for today Wednesday, Aug 3rd from San Pedro Ambergris Caye to Corozal at 7:00 a.m. (morning). The early morning departure from Corozal to San Pedro and the evening ride from San Pedro to Corozal have been suspended for today. For further information call 610-4475.
Bowen & Bowen will close all its branches countrywide today Wednesday, August 3, 2016 in preparation of oncoming storm.
NICH: Due to the impending storm, our offices in Belize City and Belmopan will be closed on Wednesday, Aug. 3. We will provide an update as soon as we get the "all clear" to reopen.
Belize Electricity Limited advises the public that ALL BEL Offices countrywide will be closed today, August 3. BEL employees countrywide are advised that they are NOT required to report to work today. Only staff with specific duties relating to the Company's Hurricane Preparedness Plan are to report to work, as per instructions of your supervisor. BEL's Toll Free Line 0-800-BEL-CARE (0-800-235-2273) remains accessible to the public.
The last bus runs will leave from the north, west and south at midday and from Belize City to north, west and south at 4p.m. Urgent /emergency last minute runs must be cleared with NEMO operations officer.
NEMO hereby advises the Government of Belize Public Officers countrywide that as of 10:00 a.m. this morning you will all be released in order to secure your family's and homes. However, you must ensure that you secure your offices and equipment's belonging to the Government before you leave. The release of essential services personnel will be done at the discretion of their Head of Department. Those who are working hurricane duties are advised that you must return to your respective stations on time.
Ambergris Caye residents are lining up to evacuate island as Earl Expected to Make Landfall in Belize as Hurricane in the early night hours of Thursday. So far this is not mandatory.
Tropical Storm Earl: 8 am EDT/7 am CDT Statistics: Location: 16.3 North Latitude, 84.4 West Longitude or about 265 miles to the east-southeast of Belize City. Maximum Winds: 70 mph. Minimum Central Pressure: 989 Millibars or 29.20 Inches. Forward Movement: West at a forward speed of 14 mph.
Earl is well on its way to becoming a hurricane as reports from reconnaissance aircraft suggests that the storm continues to strengthen. In addition, the satellite presentation of Earl also continues to improve and microwave imagery indicates that an eye is trying to form. So, I fully expect that Earl will become a hurricane by this afternoon and will make landfall in Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula as a hurricane late tonight. Please be aware that there is the possibility that Earl could approach Category 2 strength before making landfall. The reason why I think this is because it appears that the storm is slowing down in forward speed and this will lead to Earl spending more time over a favorable environment.
From there, a large upper level high pressure system over the southern United States is likely to steer Earl on a west to west-northwest path across northern Guatemala and southern Mexico on Thursday and possibly moving temporarily into the southern Bay of Campeche on Friday before finally moving inland into southern Mexico on Saturday.
Forecast Impacts Across Belize, The Southern Yucatan Peninsula & Northern Honduras: Winds: Tropical storm force winds are expected to first reach the northern coast of Honduras, including the Bay Islands, this morning. Tropical storm conditions will then overspread Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula around midnight tonight.
Hurricane conditions with wind gusts of 100 mph are expected to begin in the Bay Islands of Honduras later this afternoon and then overspread Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula late tonight and then continue through a good part of Thursday. Winds are expected to diminish to below tropical storm strength across Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday evening.
Rainfall: The impacts from Earl are expected to be severe across Belize, Honduras and the Yucatan Peninsula as rainfall amounts of 12 to 16 inches and possibly more will cause flash flooding and mudslides across Belize from today through Thursday night. Very heavy rain will reach the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz between Thursday night and Saturday morning leading to flash flooding and mudslides.
Storm Surge: A storm surge of 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels are expected along the immediate coast of the Honduras Bay Islands, Belize and the eastern Yucatan Peninsula.
From a friend....
Trying to find out from Delta about flights... Can't reach anyone at the PGIA. The "security guard" is answering the phone saying to call back at 8. I finally managed to reach someone at the 225-2010 Delta number, they were not even aware of the airport closing in Belize. I mentioned that the website was saying that we could rebook the flights for after Aug 6th. This prompted the person on the phone to go searching for some type of bulletin, which he eventually found. With that he changed the tixx for me. Whew! No one on this end seems to know what's going on.
Things are really odd this morning. I wonder why.!
The Surface wind is from the SW. The normal Clouds are from the WNW, completely opposite to normal and the Rain has been moving in from the NNE. This NNE brought in by that weather from Florida did happen, but not as much rain on land as I expected, north Belmopan got none, most now is off shore near Toledo going into Honduras, but there are still a few showers in any part of Belize presently.
TROPICAL STORM EARL centre is about 225 miles from Dangriga and its front about 160 miles away.
According to Wunderground weather :
Last Updated: Aug 3, 2016, 12:00 PM GMT Location: 16.3N 84.4W Movement: W Wind: 70.0 mph Pressure: 989 mb
Yes they say 70 mph and they are showing it as just becoming a Hurricane just before landfall.
They appear to be saying it has slowed down to 13 mph and strengthened maximum wind to 70 mph, so due to make its centre Landfall near Dangriga, around Midnight tonight.
Its front is now on the Belize long range (400km) Radar. But there is Very LITTLE Rain actually showing in that front area.
At present, today looks like a sunny day but with significant clouds and the odd chance of rain showers. But by midday, the situation will start to change.
Temperatures in Belmopan:
Today is probably going to be similar, to yesterday :
Tue, max. 33°C 92°F Last night min. 25°C 77°F ( Coast usually cooler, hills even cooler )
At 1100 am EDT (1500 utc), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was
located near latitude 16.5 north, longitude 84.8 West. Earl is
moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed
during the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the core of Earl
is expected to pass near the Honduras Bay Islands this afternoon,
and then make landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher
gusts. An Air Force reconnaissance plane is currently investigating
Earl and will determine if the cyclone has reached hurricane
intensity. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 12
hours or so, and Earl is expected to be a little stronger by the
time it reaches Belize. Weakening is expected after the center of
Earl moves inland.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
to the north and east of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure from an Air Force hurricane
hunter plane was 989 mb (29.21 inches).
A NOAA hurricane hunter plane left Earl about 3 hours ago, and
found that the cyclone was a little stronger. Since that time, the
cloud pattern presentation on satellite has improved, and Dvorak
estimates from TAFB and SAB suggest that Earl could be a hurricane.
An Air Force plane just reached the cyclone and measured a central
pressure of 991 mb with 26 kt from a dropsonde, but so far
no hurricane-force winds. So, the initial intensity is kept at 60
kt. The only factor which could inhibit additional strengthening
today is the interaction of the circulation with Central America,
but nonetheless Earl is expected to increase a little in intensity
before landfall in Belize early Thursday. After landfall, weakening
is anticipated, and only slight strengthening is possible if the
center of the cyclone moves over the Bay of Campeche.
Earl has continued to move generally westward about 12 kt. The
cyclone is well embedded within the deep easterly flow around a
strong and persistent high pressure system over the United States.
This pattern should continue to steer Earl on a general westward
track over Belize and Yucatan, and the latest guidance suggests that
the cyclone will remain over land or very near the coast over the
southern Bay of Campeche. The short time over water reduces the
chances of re-intensification. The NHC forecast is similar to the
previous one and follows the multi-model consensus.
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises the public that there continues to be illegal and hazardous connections that threaten public safety. Therefore, there may be a need to disconnect power supply in certain areas of the country, due to hazards caused by illegal or improper electrical connections.
To safeguard lives, BEL has connected over 400 households countrywide, under the "Connecting Homes Improving Lives" program, since the flooding last year. The Company continues to encourage the public countrywide to apply to the program for safe and legal connection.
BEL also reminds the public that, in the event there is loss of power supply due to damages caused by the approaching storm, the Company will only dispatch crews to conduct repairs and power restoration works as soon as the "All Clear" is given and it is safe to do so.
BEL advisories are available via radio and television stations, Facebook and SMS notifications.
BEL encourages the public to report damages to the power system by calling 0-800-BEL-CARE (0-800-235-2273) or sending a direct message to BEL's Facebook page.
Hurricane warnings are flying for the coast of Belize, the southern portion of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and the islands off the north coast of Honduras, as a strengthening Tropical Storm Earl speeds westwards at 14 mph. The Hurricane Hunters did not find hurricane-force winds in Earl in a mission that departed from the storm around 8 am EDT Wednesday, but a new airplane arrived in Earl around 11 am, and will likely find that Earl is a hurricane by mid-afternoon Wednesday. Satellite loops on Wednesday morning showed Earl was steadily gaining in organization, with an increase in symmetry, low-level spiral bands and heavy thunderstorm activity. No eye was apparent in the visible satellite imagery, but we should see one appear before sunset on Wednesday. The outer bands of Earl were just beginning to appear on Belize radar late Wednesday morning.
Figure 1. Latest satellite image of Earl.
Forecast for Earl The forecast for Earl appears straightforward. Earl is trapped to the south of a strong area of high pressure that will keep the storm moving on a track slightly north of due west at 10 - 14 mph over the next four days. This motion will bring the center of the storm within twenty miles Guanaja Island off the coast of Honduras near 4 pm EDT Wednesday, then to the coast of central Belize around 4 am EDT Thursday. Earl has favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions for intensification: light to moderate wind shear of 5 - 15 knots, and very warm ocean waters near 30°C (86°F). These warm waters extend to great depth, providing plenty of fuel to power intensification of the storm. Typically, storms that approach landfall begin to undergo interaction with land that causes a slowdown in intensification or weakening. However, storms in the Western Caribbean often undergo intensification right up until landfall, due to the extremely warm waters with high heat content that lie along the coast. The topography of the coast in the right-angle bend between Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras may also act to aid intensification by giving storms more spin, as air gets deflected into a counter-clockwise motion by the high terrain ringing the ocean. This effect has been shown to exist in modeling studies of some storms in the Gulf of Mexico's Bay of Campeche, but has not been studied (to my knowledge) for the region along the coasts of Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize, though.
The main concern from Earl is its heavy rains. With rainfall amounts in excess of 8" expected over a swath of northern Honduras, northern Guatemala, most of Belize, and a chunk of Mexico, expect life-threatening flash floods and landslides. The storm's 4 - 6' storm surge will cause additional flooding along the coast near and to the right of where the center hits in Belize. Strong winds will also be a major concern. In their 11 am EDT Wednesday Wind Probability forecast, NHC gave Guanaja Island a 97% and 30% chance of experiencing tropical storm-force winds of 39+ mph and hurricane-force winds of 74+ mph, respectively. For Belize City, these odds were 94% and 17%, respectively. Earl is already a killer: high winds in the Dominican Republic associated with the tropical wave that became Earl brought power lines down and sparked a fire aboard a bus, killing 6 and injuring 12 people, according to weather.com. Three others were killed after a tour boat overturned, although that incident had not yet been confirmed to be weather-related.
Figure 2. Tracks of the approximately 80 tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes that have hit Belize since 1851. Image credit: NOAA/CSC.
Belize hurricane history Belize is often struck by tropical storms and hurricanes. Approximately 80 tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes have hit Belize since 1851, but it has been five years since the last landfall by a named storm--Tropical Storm Harvey, which hit on August 20, 2011, with 65 mph sustained winds. Harvey's flooding rains killed five people in Mexico, but did little damage in Belize. The last hurricane to hit Belize was Hurricane Richard on October 23, 2010, which made landfall about 20 miles south of Belize's largest city, Belize City (population approximately 100,000--1/3 of Belize's population.) Richard hit as a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds, but was a small hurricane, with hurricane-force winds affecting a region of coast of no more than 20 - 30 miles wide. The hurricane killed one and did about $80 million in damage. The last major hurricane to hit Belize was Hurricane Iris on October 9, 2001, which made landfall in southern Belize as a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds, killing 35 and doing $250 million in damage.
Ministry of Health
Tropical Storm Earl
Press Release No 1.
The public is informed that the Ministry of Health Emergency Operations Center (EOC) headquarters, stationed within the Ministry of Health offices in Belmopan, will be activated at midday today, August 3rd, 2016. A team of health officers will be on a 24-hour rotation at the center to take calls and answer queries on any and all matters relating to health.
Contact information for the EOC Office is 828-4473, 822-2055(Phone/Fax line) and a cell number which will also serve as a hotline during this emergency, 629-5604.
A health representative will also be stationed at the NEMO Headquarters EOC office on rotation up until the all clear is declared by NEMO.
Heavy Rain is just about to be hitting Belize city and other coastal areas within the next few minutes.
This is not the Earl storm, just a leading front.
NEMO ADVISORY NO. 8
A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF BELIZE
NEMO hereby informs that at 9:00am Tropical Storm Earl was centered near Latitude 16.3°N, Longitude 84.4°W or about 189 miles east-southeast of Half Moon Caye, 231 miles east-southeast of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 230 miles east of Dangriga, 236 miles east-southeast of Belize City, 271 miles east-southeast of Corozal Town, and 267 miles east of Punta Gorda Town.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast and Earl is likely to become a hurricane before it makes landfall. Earl is moving westward near 14 mph and some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours. On this track, Earl will MAKE landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday morning. Earl will produce rainfall accumulation of 8-12 inches over Belize with possible higher amounts. These rains could cause flash floods and mud slides especially over higher terrain. For coastal areas, there is also a risk for flooding, especially in low lying areas.
NEMO is at Phase 3 – two red flags with black centers flown above each other, this means that Hurricane conditions are expected over Belize within 24 hours. We will experience strong winds blowing as fast as 70 or more miles or per hour, heavy rainfall; storm surge; flooding along the coastline; trees blown down; weak house and structures will be damaged or destroyed; loose objects will become projectiles, power outages and disruption to water. As the system approaches expect light winds, then heavy hurricane like winds, thereafter there will be a calm as the eye passes; thereafter we will experience very strong winds then the winds will get weaker and eventually die off.
The predicted path/impact areas are south of Belize City (southside Belize City) and north of Dangriga. It will move over Half moon caye; Long Caye; Middle Caye; Long Caye Turneffe; Gales Point; Mullins River; Silk Grass, Hope Creek, communities along the Hummingbird Highway, Pomona, the peninsula, La Democracia; Cotton Tree; More Tomorrow, St. Matthews; Franks Eddy; Valley of Peace Hattieville; Belize City; Belize river Valley; Ladyville; Lord’s Bank; Burrell Boom; Willows Bank; Rancho Dolores; Isabella Bank; Double Head Cabbage; Belmopan; communities along the George Price Highway , Spanish Lookout; Bullet Tree Falls. Shelters as required will be opened in those communities. Detail list to follow.
Sequence of expected approach for Tropical Storm Earl are as follows: the outer atolls will be approached at about 7:00 p.m. San Pedro, Caye Caulker and Belize City will experience it at about 9-11:00 p.m. with about 40 mph wind. At midnight we will begin to experience Hurricane force winds. By 1:00 a.m. hurricane force winds will be over Dangriga and Belize City, the centre of the storm will be over Belmopan area by 4:00 a.m. The Cayo District (western areas) will be affected at 6:00 a.m. and at 7:00 a.m. the western border will be affected. By 9:00 a.m. the winds should die off.
Government closed normal business operations at 10:00 a.m.
San Pedro Belize Express last run is at 11:30 am. No Chetumal run is scheduled.
Civil aviation closes at 2:00 p.m. today the last international flight is at 12:15 p.m., Municipal last flights are at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.
The last buses will leave from the north, west and south at midday and from Belize City to the north, west and south at 4p.m. Urgent /emergency last minute runs must be cleared with NEMO operations officer.
Port Closures: Fort St Tourism Village is closed; molasses and sugar vessels closed down and moved to safe waters; Port of Belize is closed; Port of Big Creek is closed; Puma energy is closed. San Pedro and PG port are closed.
Mullins River and Gales Point will be evacuated this afternoon. Punta Negra has been evacuated yesterday.
Price gouging will not be tolerated.
Labour Matters: All employers are hereby advised that they are to comply with the directive (s) from NEMO regarding employees safety. In the circumstance an employee has the right to seek safety. Any employer who prevents and employee from leaving, commits an offense under the provisions of the Labour Amendment Act #3 of 2011.
Communications equipment, i.e. masts and antennae must be protected before landfall.
Actions to be carried out by the public.
Listen to the advisories. Stay alert, take action. Make sure your emergency plan is in place. Stock up on food, water, medication and shutter your home, SECURE YOUR ROOF, WINDOWS AND DOORS.
As of 4 p.m. today you are very strongly advised to stay indoors and weather the storm. Seek shelter, move to higher ground away from the coast and low-lying areas. People in Bungalow, ground floor level building will experience flooding.
All are advised to pay keen attention and take the necessary actions to save life.
People who have livestock in low lying areas that are flood prone should move them to higher ground.
Parents are hereby urged to keep their children and family members who are on vacation safe.
If you live in a flood prone area and along the coast and your home is not safe you are strongly advised to move early to a shelter in your area. If you are going to shelter, know which shelter you will go to and how you will get there. Take along your food, water, medications, and personal hygiene items so you can survive and weather the storm for a few days.
Farmers in flood prone areas who have crops out in the fields that are close to harvesting should take action.
Mariners especially small craft must seek safe harbour /stay in port.
NEMO urges all to protect their life. Listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO and the National Met Service.
Water will be gone at 2PM until the All Clear has been given...get your buckets and containers full!!!
Belize Water Services informs its customers in San Pedro that there will be an interruption in their water supply today, Wednesday, August 3, 2016 at 2:00pm.
The interruption is necessary due to shutdown of the plant as we prepare for the approaching storm. BWS encourages residents to fill your storage containers before 2:00 pm. The Plant will reopen after the "All Clear" has been issued by NEMO.
For more information regarding this or any other BWS release, please contact 0-800-CALL-BWS (0-800-225-5297).
BWS encourages everyone to be safe from the storm.
Hurricane Preparedness - Drinking Water Advisory
Belize Water Services reminds the public to keep at least 3 days' supply of drinking water in sealed containers as part of their hurricane preparedness.
After the passage of any storm, normal water supplies may be affected, causing possible contamination. These may include BWS and rural water distribution systems, as well as individual wells and water storage tanks or vats.
After the passage of the storm, BWS will monitor and test for any possible contamination within BWS' systems. BWS will put out advisories should any portions of our systems be adversely affected. However, be aware that in these circumstances, communications may be limited.
BWS hereby forewarns the public that if any water is suspected to be contaminated, it is strongly recommended to treat the water before drinking or consuming in any way. It is also
recommended for persons in the rural areas that experience flooding and use well water to also
treat your drinking water as it may not be safe to drink.
You can make water safe by doing ANY ONE of the following:
Either:
� Adding 1 tablespoon of bleach (Clorox or similar product) to five gallons of water, mix completely and leave to stand for 30 minutes before using. Warning: Do NOT use bleach that is scented or colored. Or,
� Bring to boil in a pot or kettle and let it boil at full bubble for at least one minute. Cool and use as needed. Or,
� Add water purification tablets according to directions on the package.
Warning: Water that is dark, has an odor, or has floating pieces should NOT be used for consumption, even with the above treatment.
Caye Caulker: WASA WATER will be suspended from 12midnight until 6am tomorrow in Caye Caulker!!! Please make sure you and your family is equiped with enough water & food!!!
The last boat leaving Caye Caulker to Belize City from the San Pedro Belize Express pier is at 12:30 today (Wednesday).
NEMO is at Phase 3 - Two red flags with black centers flown above each other indicates that hurricane conditions are expected over Belize within 24 hours.
At 100 PM CDT (1800 utc), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was
located near latitude 16.8 north, longitude 85.6 West. Earl is
moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general
motion is expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed
during the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the core of Earl
is expected to pass near the Honduras Bay Islands this afternoon,
and then make landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph (110 km/h) with higher
gusts. An Air Force reconnaissance plane currently investigating
Earl has not measured winds of hurricane force. However, additional
strengthening is forecast during the next 12 hours or so, and Earl
is expected to be a hurricane by the time it reaches Belize. Weakening is expected after the center of Earl moves inland.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km)
mainly to the north and east of the center.
The minimum central pressure estimated from an Air Force hurricane
hunter plane was 990 mb (29.23 inches).
A NOAA hurricane hunter plane left Earl about 3 hours ago, and
found that the cyclone was a little stronger. Since that time, the
cloud pattern presentation on satellite has improved, and Dvorak
estimates from TAFB and SAB suggest that Earl could be a hurricane.
An Air Force plane just reached the cyclone and measured a central
pressure of 991 mb with 26 kt from a dropsonde, but so far
no hurricane-force winds. So, the initial intensity is kept at 60
kt. The only factor which could inhibit additional strengthening
today is the interaction of the circulation with Central America,
but nonetheless Earl is expected to increase a little in intensity
before landfall in Belize early Thursday.
Earl has continued to move generally westward about 12 kt. The
cyclone is well embedded within the deep easterly flow around a
strong and persistent high pressure system over the United States.
This pattern should continue to steer Earl on a general westward
track over Belize and Yucatan, and the latest guidance suggests that
the cyclone will remain over land or very near the coast over the
southern Bay of Campeche. The short time over water reduces the
chances of re-intensification.
Interesting new twist. [ Incidental, that first band of rain brought 11.6mm ( 1/2" ) to north Belmopan, now no rain. ]
This is the wind forecast, from 4 different sources. Starting from 1:00 pm Belize Time.
Notice maximum winds 60kts (70mph ) dropping from NOW, not after landfall this evening.
In fact by midnight, when the centre is likely to be over central Belize, these graphs suggest the wind will be down to 40kts 46 mph by tomorrow morning.
US Navy update 06:00 BZT 03Aug2016
So much of it is and will be over land. That fouls up the storm....
Earl is now a Category 1 Hurricane, with 75MPH winds.
Earl has become a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).
"A landfall in Belize as a hurricane will occur late Wednesday night," according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
Property damage, downed trees and beach erosion will occur. Residents and visitors should be prepared for travel disruptions and power outages.
"Beyond Wednesday night, the greatest danger from Earl will be from torrential rainfall, which can top 12 inches (300 mm) in some areas," Kottlowski said.
Rainfall of this intensity can lead to catastrophic flooding and mudslides. The worst conditions are expected over mountainous terrain.
In addition to flash flooding, major river flooding can occur along with road washouts and closures.
The heavy rainfall will be released as Earl weakens while moving over land during Thursday and early Friday.
There is a chance Earl will trek over water once again. Should Earl drift over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico later Friday, the system could strengthen, prior to making another landfall.
Hurricane Earl: 5 pm EDT/4 pm CDT Statistics: Location: 17.1 North Latitude, 86.0 West Longitude or about 150 miles to the east of Belize City. Maximum Winds: 75 mph. Minimum Central Pressure: 988 Millibars or 29.18 Inches. Forward Movement: West at a forward speed of 14 mph.
Earl has become the second hurricane of the season with winds of 75 mph (Alex way back in January was the first). In addition, Earl is the first hurricane in the western Caribbean since Sandy in 2012. It is expected that Earl will make landfall as a 80 to 90 mph hurricane very near Belize City late tonight. After making landfall in Belize tonight, it is expected that a large upper level high pressure system over the southern United States will steer Earl on a west to west-northwest path across northern Guatemala and southern Mexico on Thursday and possibly moving temporarily into the extreme southern Bay of Campeche on Friday before finally moving inland into southern Mexico on Saturday.
Forecast Impacts Across Belize, The Southern Yucatan Peninsula & Northern Honduras: Winds: Tropical storm force winds are expected to spread inland across Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula this evening with hurricane conditions expected to develop across Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula late tonight and then continue through a good part of Thursday. Winds are expected to diminish to below tropical storm strength across Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula by Thursday evening.
Rainfall: The impacts from Earl are expected to be severe across Belize, Honduras and the Yucatan Peninsula as rainfall amounts of 12 to 16 inches and possibly more will cause flash flooding and mudslides across Belize from tonight through Thursday and Thursday night. Very heavy rain will reach the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz between Thursday night and Saturday morning leading to flash flooding and mudslides.
Storm Surge: A storm surge of 4 to 6 feet above normal tide levels are expected along the immediate coast of Belize and the eastern Yucatan Peninsula tonight into Thursday morning. A storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels are expected on the Bay Island of Honduras tonight into Thursday morning.
The centre of activity of HURRICANE EARL has changed direction. It is now going up more north, presently it looks as if it will make Landfall much nearer to Belize city than it was moving earlier.
This storm has not maintained a steady course, despite the various weather information put out.
I consider the centre of activity and where the most damage might occur as the centre to be considered, which is not always necessary the centre of the low pressure. ( TS Colin, low pressure centre was in open clear sky with the activity some 200 miles to its east. ) But this TS Earl main active centre has been zig zagging, but this morning it has done a more gradual change of direction, having moved from about 16.651°N 84.864°W to where it is about now 17.104°N 86.003°W.
A straight line through those two points goes through Belize near Corozal. But it is not necessarily following a straight line.
So it now looks more like Landfall between Dangriga and Corozal. It is now over deeper water, which may influence its behaviour.
The second line of heavy rain is now starting to cross over into Belize starting earlier in the north.
Not a lot of rain seen behind that 2nd line, but the heavy rain might be masking the Radar signal.
The Belize City Swing Bridge will be swung at 4:30 pm today.
The sky grows darker as the storm nears the island. Photo by Ben Popik
NEMO ADVISORY NO. 9
HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE COAST OF BELIZE
NEMO hereby informs that Hurricane Earl was centered near Latitude 17.1°N, Longitude 86.0°W or about 103 miles east-southeast of Half Moon Caye, 141 miles east-southeast of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 147 miles east of Dangriga, 150 miles east-southeast of Belize City, 181 miles east-southeast of Corozal Town, and 198 miles east of Punta Gorda Town.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Earl is moving westward near 14 mph and some decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours. On this track, Earl will MAKE landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday morning. Earl will produce rainfall of 8-12 inches over Belize with possible higher amounts. These rains could cause flash floods and mud slides especially over higher terrain. For coastal areas, there is also a risk for flooding, especially in low lying areas.
The predicted path/impact areas HAVE CHANGED to north of Belize City. It will move over Half moon caye; Long Caye; Middle Caye; Long Caye Turneffe.
The main impact zone now seems to be shifting to Belize River Valley area villages such as Willows Bank; Rancho Dolores; Isabella Bank; Double Head Cabbage; and villages in southern Orange Walk such as Guinea Grass, Chang August Pine ridge San Felipe, Indian Church and parts of Corozal to a lesser extent.
Sequence of expected approach for Hurricane Earl is as follows: the outer atolls will be affected at about 7:00 p.m. tonight. San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize City will experience 40 mph winds at about 9-11:00 p.m. At midnight we will begin to experience Hurricane force winds over the projected path. At 1:00 a.m. hurricane force winds will be over mostly the Northern half of the country.
Shelters opened are as folows:
San Pedro:
1. New Horizon 7th Day Adventist School (14 people)
2. San Pedro High School (82 people)
3. San Pedro RC Primary (30 people)
Caye Caulker:
1. Caye Caulker RC School
Orange Walk
1. Trial Farm (9 people)
2. Multi Purpose Building
Belmopan:
1. Garden City Primary School
2. Belmopan Comprehensive High School
3. University of Belize
Belize City:
1. St. John’s Vianney (187 people)
2. Unity Presbyterian Primary School (87 people)
3. St. Luke Methodist Primary School (155 people)
4. St. Martin De Porres Primary School (186 people)
5. Pallotti High School (59 persons)
South Side Belize:
1. Queen Square Primary School
2. Grace Primary School (Full)
3. Salvation Army Primary School
4. Maud Williams High School (7 persons)
5. Trinity Methodist
Dangriga:
1. Ecumenical High School (12 persons)
2. Sacred Heart Parish Hall (4 persons)
3. 3 Holy Ghost RC School (0 person)
4. 4 Hope Creek Methodist School (8 persons)
5. Parish Hall (3 persons)
Belize Rural:
1. Biscayne Gov’t School
2. Sandhill Community Centre
3. Crooked Tree Government School (50 persons)
4. Our Lady of Lourdes RC
Punta Gorda:
1. Bethel SDA (14 persons)
All employers are hereby advised that they are to comply with the directive (s) from NEMO regarding employees safety. In the circumstance an employee has the right to seek safety. Any employer who prevents and employee from leaving, commits an offense under the provisions of the Labour Amendment Act #3 of 2011.
Actions to be carried out by the public.
Continue to listen to the advisories and remain vigilant.
Seek shelter, move to higher ground away from the coast and low-lying areas. People in Bungalow, ground floor level building will experience flooding.
Parents are hereby urged to keep their children and family members safely indoors.
If you live in a flood prone area and along the coast and your home is not safe you are strongly advised to move early to a shelter in your area. If you are going to shelter, know which shelter you will go to and how you will get there. Take along your food, water, medications, and personal hygiene items so you can survive and weather the storm for a few days.
NEMO urges all to protect their life. Listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO and the National Met Service.
STORM SURGE: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4
to 6 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of
Belize and the eastern Yucatan peninsula near and to the north of
where the center makes landfall.
LOCATION...17.3N 86.9W
ABOUT 85 MI...140 KM ESE OF BELIZE CITY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...75 MPH...120 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...987 MB...29.15 INCHES
At 700 PM CDT (0000 UTC), the center of Hurricane Earl was located
near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 86.9 West. Earl is moving
toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion is
expected to continue with some decrease in forward speed during the
next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Earl will make
landfall in Belize tonight or early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher
gusts. Some strengthening is still possible before Earl reaches
Belize tonight. Weakening will begin after the center of Earl
moves inland.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km)
primarily to the northeast of the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb (29.15 inches).
WIND: Tropical storm conditions will reach Belize and Mexico within
the hurricane and tropical storm warning areas in a few hours.
Hurricane conditions are expected in portions of the hurricane
warning area in Belize and Mexico tonight.
RAINFALL: Earl is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 8
to 12 inches over portions of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and the
Yucatan peninsula of Mexico through Thursday night. Very heavy
rain will reach the Mexican states of Tabasco and Veracruz between
Thursday night and Saturday morning. Isolated maximum amounts of
16 inches are possible in Belize and Mexico. These rains could
result in life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.
STORM SURGE: A storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4
to 6 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast of
Belize and the eastern Yucatan peninsula near and to the north of
where the center makes landfall. Storm surge will raise water
levels by as much as 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels in areas
of onshore winds on the Bay Islands of Honduras. Near the coast,
the surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves.
Me and my girlfriend have a tripped planed. We are schedule to arrive Saturday afternoon and we are staying for a week. Can sombody please give me advice if I should cancel my trip or not ??? We have been looking foward to this trip for months !! My girlfriend even got scuba certified just for this trip. What do you think the conditions will be ?? Will they be tollorable ?? I would hate to spend our entire trip indoors without sunlight !! :(( I know it may be too early to really tell what the outcome is but I was thinking mabe a local would have experience something similar... And could give us some advice on what to expect over the next few days !! Thank you much !! STAY SAFE MT FRIENDS !!
The hurricane will pass tomorrow. There may be some damage. There should be no reason to cancel your trip. You booked during hurricane season so there is always a risk of storms and rain. There are no guarantees, but it will be passed by Saturday. If you're seriously concerned talk to your airline and to your resort.
At 1000 PM CDT (0300 utc), the eye of Hurricane Earl was located
by an an Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft near latitude 17.4
north, longitude 87.6 West. Earl is moving toward the west near 15
mph (24 km/h), and a westward or slightly north of westward motion
with some decrease in forward speed is expected over the next 48
hours. On the forecast track, the center of Earl will move inland
over Belize within the next few hours, and move over the southern
Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico or northern Guatemala on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher
gusts. Little change in strength is likely before landfall, and
Earl will begin to weaken after it moves inland over Belize on
Thursday.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles
(220 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).
Earl has been under close surveillance by Air Force and NOAA
Hurricane Hunter planes and the Belize Meteorological Service radar
this evening. The Air Force Hurricane Hunters found peak 700 mb
flight-level winds of 72 kt which converts to a surface wind of 65
kt, and this is used for the advisory intensity. Belize radar
imagery shows that the eyewall has been fluctuating between an open
and closed structure over the past several hours. There is little
time left for Earl to strengthen before the center reaches the
coast, and no significant intensification is anticipated before
landfall.
Earl continues to move slightly north of due west or 280/13 kt.
The cyclone remains embedded in a well-defined steering flow to the
south of a large and slow-moving mid-tropospheric high pressure
system. Little change has been made to the previous official
forecast track and the current NHC forecast remains close to the
multi-model consensus.
10pm Wednesday night in San Pedro:
Significant storm surge in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The waves are pounding the piers. Winds are howling hard with gusts up to 66mph. There are many reports of people in distress on Ambergris Caye as the winds are damaging homes, construction sites are collapsing lifting zinc roofing from various structures and there has been a report of a fire. Storm surge has flooded coastal areas to the east of the island and power is out in most areas. The eye of the storm is about 15 miles east of Belize City, just outside the Turneffe Atoll.
11pm: Reports are that Belize City is currently with out power. Strong winds up to the 80 mph, minimal rain. Damage is being reported in both San Mateo and Escalante. Apparently two houses have collapsed in San Mateo, and a roof top was blown off in Escalante.
Hearing people are evacuating apartments on first floor along Boca Del Rio (just north of San Pedro town), no power in San Pedro, Smart/Digicel internet not working/ wind getting serious in San Ignacio, rain coming down in sheets, garbage cans rolling in streets, power just went out here too.
word trickling from town is LOTS of water/damage. Surge was HIGH.
...EARL WEAKENING AS IT MOVES FARTHER INLAND OVER BELIZE... The eye passed a couple of miles to the south of Belize City.
The center of Earl made landfall just southwest of Belize City,
Belize near 0600 UTC. The last reports from an Air Force Reserve
Hurricane Hunter aircraft included a 700-mb flight-level wind of 85
kt, SFMR and dropsonde winds near 65 kt, and a minimum central
pressure near 979 mb. Based on these data, the landfall intensity
is estimated to have been 70 kt. The initial intensity for this
advisory is reduced to 65 kt as Earl is now weakening over land.
At 400 AM CDT (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Earl was located
near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 88.9 West. A turn toward the
west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected later
today. On the forecast track, the center of Earl is expected to
move across central and northern Belize this morning, move across
northern Guatemala and the southern Yucatan Peninsula later today,
and be near or over the southern Bay of Campeche Friday night.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 mph (120 km/h)
with higher gusts, and additional weakening is expected as the
center moves farther inland. Earl is forecast to weaken to a
tropical storm later this morning and to a tropical depression by
Friday morning.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the
center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles
(220 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches).
WIND: Hurricane conditions are spreading through central and
northern Belize near the center of Earl. Tropical storm conditions
are spreading across the coasts of Belize and Mexico elsewhere in
the warned area, and should spread into the southern Yucatan
Peninsula and northern Guatemala this morning.
RAINFALL: Earl is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations
of 8 to 12 inches over portions of Belize, Guatemala, and the
Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana, Tabasco and Veracruz
through Friday morning. Isolated maximum amounts of 18 inches are
possible in Belize, northern Guatemala and the central part of the
Mexican state of Chiapas. These rains could result in
life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
STORM SURGE: A storm surge along the immediate coast of Belize and
the eastern Yucatan Peninsula should subside today as the center of
Earl moves farther inland. Near the coast, the surge will be
accompanied by large and damaging waves.
Earl should weaken as it crosses Central America and Mexico, and it
is expected to be a tropical depression by the time the center
reaches the Bay of Campeche. The cyclone is forecast to spend less
than 12 hours over water, so the intensity forecast shows no
re-intensification during that time. After 48 hours, Earl or its
remnants should move over the mountains of central Mexico, which
should cause the low-level center to dissipate after 72 hours. It
should be noted that several global models forecast the development
of a tropical cyclone off the Pacific coast of Mexico during the
next five days. If this occurs, it is likely to be associated with
the remnants of the hurricane, but not a direct continuation of
Earl.
The biggest concern with Earl is rainfall. Global models depict the
system becoming enveloped within a much larger-scale cyclonic gyre
that will cover much of southern Mexico during the next few days.
This weather pattern will likely lead to copious rains, with
isolated precipitation totals of 18 inches possible.
Hurricane Earl makes landfall Wednesday night in Belize
Accuweather
8/4/2016 5:33:02 AM
Hurricane Earl is located at 17.3° N, -88.9° W with maximum sustained winds of 75mph and gusts to 90mph
As of early Thursday morning EDT, the center of Hurricane Earl was located about 50 miles west-southwest of Belize City and continues moving west at 15 mph. The system made landfall around 1 AM CDT near Belize City. Earl will weaken significantly today as it interacts with land, and is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm this morning and a tropical depression by this evening.
Rainfall and strong, gusty winds will continue to impact Belize and the southern Yucatan Peninsula today. Hurricane-force winds mostly in gusts will be felt along and just inland from the coast of Belize through this morning before Earl weakens. This will cause downed trees, utility lines and some wind damage to structures along and just north of the hurricane's path. Isolated tornadoes might occur ahead of and just north of the hurricane's track. Parts of Belize, the southern Yucatan and portions of Guatemala will see rainfall totals of 4-8 inches with the potential for some places to pick up 12 or more inches of rain. Heavy rainfall across any mountainous terrain could trigger life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
From San Pedro: Hurricane Earl is now over Belmopan Cayo and those folks are now experiencing the strong winds residents of San Pedro did earlier. Still cannot believe how much the wind is still howling here on the island; not as strong as about midnight but still very strong. Still getting pounded but I hear people in Belize city have it bad.
Word is that a lot of piers and structures on the water are severely damaged. Many piers are gone!!! There was about a 6-foot storm surge on the beach side with little on the lagoon side. Praying for everyone to be safe. Daylight will tell extent of damage.
From Belmopan.... I can't be sure of the max wind speed, from trees down, I would guess 60 - 70 mph I can't see the centre of the storm at present 05:45 There is no clear centre. The wind is now from the East, which would appear to indicate the centre is South of Belmopan. There has not been a calm period, but less wind now at 05:45 than there was 5 hours ago. Wunderground think it is now 5:00 Belize time, in Guatamala. Which does not match the East winds I am getting in Belmopan, which are less now than at midnight.
News 5 At 5:30 a.m. the rains have mostly subsided but strong winds persist throughout the day. Though power is out for most of the country we'll still be attempting to broadcast and share damage assessment reports.
We are just now accessing the damage of Hurricane Earl after a very long night without power and frightening wind and rain. As the dawn light reveals, the damage is significant and winds are still high on San Pedro. Several docks/piers were completely/partially destroyed by the strong winds and waves of the storm, trees uprooted, we will continue to inform you as the we learn more.
From Rebecca (SanPedroScoop) in San Ignacio... I am still in San Ignacio - raining like crazy - too early to get out. San Pedro got hit hard. Palapa Bar is gone, some docks and dive shops gone, details are thin since the whole area is without power and San Pedro without internet. No saying when that will be back up.
From Jeff up north plywood ripped off, windows amazingly held... yard has a foot and a half of water in it... flooded inside a bit. But in the grand scheme of things, it's fine. X'Tan Ha dive shop and bar no where to be seen
Farm made it through ok... talked to the guys there just now. That was definitely the side of the island to be on. (Cayo Frances Farm & Fly -Leeward Side of Ambergris Caye)
Earl has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm TROPICAL STORM EARL INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 8A NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL052016 700 AM CDT THU AUG 04 2016 ...EARL WEAKENS TO A TROPICAL STORM AS IT MOVES FARTHER INLAND... ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...17.3N 89.5W ABOUT 90 MI...145 KM W OF BELIZE CITY MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...65 MPH...105 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 15 MPH...24 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...990 MB...29.23 INCHES -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Government of Mexico has discontinued all warnings. The Government of Belize has replaced the Hurricane Warning with a Tropical Storm Warning.
At 700 AM CDT (1200 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 89.5 West. Earl is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected later today. On the forecast track, Earl is expected to move across northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico today, and be near or over the southern Bay of Campeche Friday night.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 65 mph (105 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected as the center moves farther inland, and Earl is forecast to weaken to a tropical depression by tonight or Friday morning.
What remains of the newly renovated Palapa Bar and Grill. Our hearts go out to the owners, and all those who have suffered catastrophic damages. Photo courtesy Karen Brodie Photography
Seahorse Dive Shop in Placencia Destroyed photos courtesy Efrain Alpuche
Click photos for more pictures
Preliminary assessment of Hopkins confirms that there have been no deaths. 16 people have already left the Hurricane Shelter out of 22.
Click photos for more pictures
News 5 crews ran into Belize City counselor for CEMO, Philip Willoughby, who shared these images of damage from around the city in the wake of Hurricane Earl.
Heavy damage along the beach in downtown San Pedro. Photos courtesy Tammy Lemus.Well it isn't pretty but we made it!
Lots of work ahead but we will repair and put back together.
Thankful as some lost everything.
Video accessing the damage along the beach near Sunbreeze Suites. Video courtesy Jaydlin Cordova
Destruction is mostly isolated to the beach area. Homes and buildings seem to have withstood the hurricane force winds. We (Ambergris Today) will survey low-lying neighborhood areas. Downed power lines and trees are extensive
At 9:00 a.m. NEMO has declared the ALL CLEAR phase for the country of Belize. At that the center of now Tropical Storm Earl was located near latitude 17.2 North , longitude 89.9 West or about 50 miles west of Belize City. Earl continues to weaken as it tracks westward away from Belize.
Although the ALL CLEAR Phase has been declared some squally conditions are still likely and seas will be rough. Therefore small craft warning remains in effect for offshore waters.
PRIORTY OF WORK: Search and Rescue, medical care, sheltering and looking after people affected, clearing of debris along the highways, restoration of utilities, inspection of airports and seaports.
NEMO with much concern acknowledges serious sufferings endured by thousands of Belizeans and the devastation of homes, businesses, government and private buildings. Major infrastructure and building damage, many roads and streets are blocked in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Belize City, and Ladyville, Belize River Valley, Orange Walk, Belmopan and other affected areas.
CEMO the Police and eventually the BDF, responded to over one hundred Search and Rescue requests under extremely dangerous conditions in the middle of the Hurricane. Neighbour to neighbour assistance and care giving, highlighted the Belizean spirit of unity when we are faced with danger and this must be applauded. Thanks to LOVE F.M and all other media houses for an exceptional job in keeping the public informed.
Roofing and broken lumber, down trees, electrical wires, splinters and nails are strewn all over the San Pedro, Caye Caulker Cayes, Belize City, Ladyville, Lords Bank and River Valley and can cause serious injuries.
The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) will resume operations today.
The Ministry of Works is clearing the main highways. Highways from Benque to Belize City are open at this time. Later today the bus schedule will resume.
NEMO is now responding to flash flooding in the Cayo District. Communities along the Macal and Mopan River must seek higher ground immediately. All dams are at flood stage. Shelters are being opened. Put your flood plan into action. Do not stay in a building near flood waters.
The coastal highway is closed. Crossing is under 4 ft water & both approaches have been washed away.
6 miles to Independence is cleared.
Hummingbird Highway is closed but Ministry of Works is currently clearing road. Vehicles attempting to move will not be able to cross right away and will neee to wait until clearing is complete.
Flood warning has been issued for Hope Creek & Sarawee.
Residents of low-lying areas are to anticipate flood from North Stann Creek River & should make preparations for that later today.
On the south, overall damages are not looking as bad as expected, some roofs blown off but most rural communities are in pretty good shape. We are awaiting more reports from village chairmen.
360 Beachview in front of Fido's Courtyard & Pier, the entire pier was destroyed by the storm. Right now its at the top of the San Pedro Sun Facebook page.. https://www.facebook.com/SanPedroSun/
Hurricane Earl--the first hurricane in the Caribbean since Hurricane Sandy of 2012--made landfall near Belize City, Belize as a Category 1 storm with 80 mph winds near 2 am EDT Thursday, August 4, 2016. Earl was the strongest hurricane to hit Belize since Hurricane Richard on October 23, 2010, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane with 100 mph winds. Earl's strongest winds observed at the Belize Airport were sustained at 34 mph, gusting to 58 mph, between 10 pm and midnight local time on Wednesday evening. However, data stopped transmitting at 3 am when the center of the storm reached the airport. A personal weather station on Ambergris Caye, which received a battering from a portion of Earl's northern eyewall, recorded sustained winds of 46 mph, with a wind gust of 69 mph at 10:45 pm local time Wednesday. The station lost power shortly thereafter. Damage is likely to be significant in Belize City.
Figure 1. Storm chaser Josh Morgerman of icyclone.com rode out Earl from Belize City, and took this photo of the storm surge inundating the city at 2 am local time on August 4, 2016. "Definitely the most-epic Cat 1 I've chased. A hurricane of consequence. Will be remembered by Belizeans," he commented on his Twitter feed.
Figure 2.Belize radar as seen at 11:15 pm EDT August 3, 2016, shortly before Hurricane Earl made landfall near Belize City. Check out this extended radar loop of Earl saved by Brian McNoldy.
Dangerous rains coming from Earl Satellite loops and Belize radar on Thursday morning showed Earl was steadily weakening as it moved inland over the Yucatan Peninsula, with the heavy thunderstorm activity shrinking in areal coverage and intensity. Earl will continue moving on a mostly westward track at 10 - 15 mph over the next few days, and will likely dissipate by Sunday. Earl is not likely to emerge over the Gulf of Mexico far enough to undergo any significant regeneration.
Earl grew into a large hurricane on Wednesday, and was able to tap into the Eastern Pacific as an additional source of moisture. When hurricanes are able to tap into both the Atlantic and Pacific as moisture sources, very dangerous heavy rains that affect a large portion of Mexico and Central America usually result, and Earl's heavy rains are going to be a major concern for the region. With rainfall amounts in excess of 8" expected over a swath of northern Honduras, northern Guatemala, most of Belize, and a big chunk of southern Mexico, expect to see many reports of life-threatening flash floods and landslides.
Heavy damage to buildings and infrastructure is being reported in Belize, primarily from Earl's winds and storm surge. Earl made landfall near Belize City, Belize as a Category 1 storm with 80 mph winds near 2 am EDT Thursday, August 4, 2016. Most of the weather stations in Earl's path stopped transmitting before the storm's peak winds arrived, but Half Moon Caye, which received a battering from a portion of Earl's northern eyewall, recorded a wind gust of 89 mph at 10:00 pm local time Wednesday.
VIIRS image of Tropical Storm Earl approaching landfall in Belize on Wednesday afternoon, August 3, 2016. Image credit: NOAA Satellites on Twitter.
TROPICAL STORM EARL looks to me as if after crossing the Belize coast line about 2-4 miles south of Belize City, the eye crossing the Coastal Road some 15 miles south of the western highway about 12:30 last night, then proceeded towards Belmopan. But I think the eye closed and it turned southwards, going into the mountains and collapsing as you can see in the NOAA picture. I do not believe the storm continued on in a straight line westwards, as the weather people are saying. OK the centre of the low pressure might, but not the storm, winds and rain.
That satellite picture is showing much of the energy being transferred to that other area in the Pacific, I saw that happen with Mitch. But the area above and near Belize has definitely reduced in wind and rain and cloud cover.
The track is actually showing, what I saw, that dip to almost touch the east tip of Honduras, then the movement upwards, aiming for San Pedro, then sudden change due west as it slowed down and intensified to Hurricane, then dipping again as Hurricane before going into Guatamala. Yes I do believe it was Hurricane force over Belmopan, I estimated some gusts over 80 mph. . . . It was odd wind, not typical hurricane with high fairly consistent winds with the extra gusts, but it was all gusts, some very strong, some I gusts be well over 100 mph, then almost calm for a few seconds or even nearly a minute.
I measured 5.8" of rain over yesterday, up to this morning.
Hurricane Earl Forms Then Strikes Belize GOES 13
Hurricane Earl moves across the Caribbean and makes landfall in Belize as seen by the NOAA/NASA GOES 13 satellite. The video loop is through 8/4/2016 at 11:30 am CDT. Hurricane Earl made landfall near Belize City packing 80 mph winds with a minimum pressure of 979 mb after previously raking the island of Roatan.
From Belmopan...
As a result of what Earl did, I have now come to the conclusion that there are 3, yes Three eyes to a storm.
There is the Low Pressure centre, which is what the various weather stations continue to show on maps.
There is the Rain centre, which is what is shown on Radar.
There is the High Wind and serious activity affecting us on the ground.
There is the eye, which goes dead calm, no wind, if it goes over you. . . . That makes 4
Now Earl fooled many of us, that I believe because of its very unusual nature. Coming across the Caribbean it was more of a series of linked ITCS type swell-ups, so the activity appeared to be jumping around, making its track appear to zig zag.
By Wednesday morning, when it left close to the east tip of Honduras, it got better organised, and started tracking towards the NNW and looked like San Pedro and Corozal hit. But then as night set in, it stalled, strengthened and suddenly turned due west, I measured its moving at 11 mpg at 280°. At this point, the low pressure centre and the Rain centre were at the same point, but not necessarily the same size. The Rain eye was about 30miles wide now, having reduced from 100 miles wide earlier.
As it crossed on to land, the Rain eye immediately disappeared and there was rain everywhere.
That rain everywhere was harder to track, but the wind eye came just south of Belize City around midnight, then crossed the Coastal Road some 10 miles south of the Western Highway around 12:30am. That means the wind eye had now moved almost due SW from Belize City. Then, unfortunately the Belize met Radar failed. But the wind eye went way south of Belmopan as indicated by the wind direction, and change in wind direction as it passed Belmopan around 04:00am.
The Storm centre, that is the Rain had gone south into our mountains and broken up quickly, so had the high level clouds as seen on the satellite pictures. .. . Meanwhile, the low pressure centre and morning cloud rotation, had gone into Guatamala, to a place that indicated a near straight west line from Belize City to Guatamala. But, as I said, the storm over Belize, went south into the mountains. the winds in Belmopan were over 40mph when they eye was approaching Belize City, some 50 miles away. That would tend to indicate the wind centre or area was about 100 miles wide. The wind was unusual in that it was not a steadily increasing hurricane type winds, with gust variations, but almost all gusts, varying from almost calm to over 80mph in just seconds. . . . I believe I had a couple of gusts over my house of well over 100 mph, judging by the howl and whistle. All the indications were that the winds extended far out.
I lost two small trees around my house, and a very big Boucot Tree ( spelling? ) a 100 yards from my house, and may branches broken off other trees. I lost about 5% Orange trees over on West Belmopan, a Flame Tree devastated, 60% branches broken off, many other bushes and trees felled or bent over beyond recovery and others uprooted.
I measured about 6" of rain. The Gusty winds over Belmopan, I estimate were frequently up to 80mph and I believe a couple were over 100mph, that is the equivalent of Cat.2, but not sustained, just gusts, which can do more damage than sustained wind.
A neighbor lost almost every tree.
Very few small ones are left standing.
Hi Everyone! We are supposed to fly into San Pedro tomorrow...I'm not sure what we should do?? Meaning will the power be on, water on? We have 2 young boys that will be with us and just concerned if it will be safe?
Notice: With the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) declaring the "All Clear" as of 9:00 am today, we would like our customers and staff to know that Maya Island Air has already commenced work to assess the state of our stations across Belize. Maya is also working closely with CEMO, the Department of Civial Aviation and the Belize Airports Authority, to determine any measures that may need to be taken before resuming normal operations.
From the images and videos shared on social media, it is clear that many families, homes and businesses were affected by Hurricane Earl which is truly a regrettable occurence. Many of our customers and partners have experienced various losses and our thoughts and prayers go out to them.
Staff Notice: The Management of Maya Island Air is requesting that staff who are capable of coming in to assist in getting operations back to normal, do so by 11:00 am today as we expect to restore and resume limited operations by 1:00 pm. Thank you for your consideration.
lost more trees than in any storm since been at this farm in 1995. others in san ignacio saying same. the weak trees had no cull in decade, until this. i am told that the macal river, by raul's carwash (up from low bridge san ig side) is up to the first entrance of the carwash and rising, according to raul, about one foot every 15 to 20 minutes.
Also.... I have trees down everywhere, on roads and paths... they will take years to clean up! Lost most of my bananas and lots of branches on the avocados. One chicken house roof got caved in, not the one they were in, thank goodness. One tree pulled out my water pipes and drained 2000 gallons... now no running water at the house for a week or more until the tree can get removed, pipe fixed and tanks filled again. River is so high that I can barely see the rims on the Rover, so if it keeps coming up, it will be swamped.... all trees near the river where the boat and kayaks were tied are under water, so don't know if the ties held and they are just swamped, or washed away. The paddles are gone for sure. For those who are familiar with my pool area, the upper meditation platform is under water, and I think the new bathroom is partially full of water. Brooms and tubes are gone. This is a lot of water! I thought it would take at least 12-15 hours to reach this high, but it came up fast, before daylight. The biggest flood since '95 for sure. Hope it goes down fast!
Some parts of Belize City are under a few inches of water.
Scenes from Ladyville following the passage of Hurricane Earl on Wednesday night.
Click photos for more pictures
In San Ignacio, the pouring rain has finally stopped but the river is rising. She is now flooding most of the market and reaches the bus terminal by the visitors center. At the market, people are furiously trying to get out appliances and good. All I can get out of people is that she is still rising... photos by SanPedroScoop
View down into the bus station/tourist plaza area...people are pushing cars out, trying to get furniture but the river is rising with the rains out there.
View from the Hawksbill Bridge. Low wooden bridge under water. No buses running...town watching to see how high water will go. Many wading in to carry out furnitures/items from their stores.
From Belmopan...
From the Radar images, from the reports from a number of people and my own observations, it now looks as if the eye, that is the wind eye more or less followed the red line I have marked on this picture.
That is it was going towards San Pedro when off shore, then we saw it change course towards Belize City.
Reports say it passed just south of Belize city, another report indicated crossing the Coastal Road as I have shown.
My observation indicate the centre passed south of Belmopan, by the wind direction and the wind direction change after it passed, and another observation on the Hummingbird would appear to indicate it went north of them.
Everyone reports it was a Gusting event, not a more typical strong winds normally associated with Hurricanes.
Our sister island Caye Caulker sustained damage as well. Photos by Ramir Villanueva
Belize Electricity Limited is assembling its team to prepare for assessments of the power system. Currently, only the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts have power supply. BEL will provide an update later today regarding its assessment plan.
What remains of Ramon's Village Dock and Dive Shop on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Photo credit Cecilia Guerrero
Remains of the popular and long standing Tackle Box Bar & Restaurant and the water taxi terminal on San Pedro Ambergris Caye. Photo credit M. Estephan.
Here is the area between Lilly's Hotel and Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye early this morning. Photo credit Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop.
MESSAGE FROM THE BELIZE CITY COUNCIL At 1230 we will start a massive clean up in d city we need volunteers n people to bring out whatever debris etc for us to move n clean up d city. We will start on Ceasar Ridge Road n make our way through other streets.
Belize Electricity Limited advises the public that the Company has commenced assessment of the power system countrywide, following the All Clear from NEMO.
Areas currently with power supply are: Corozal, Orange Walk and Toledo Districts. Our crews are inspecting areas without power in order to determine the damages sustained and the approach to restoration.
Areas with the most significant damages assessed so far are: Belize City, Ladyville and surrounding areas and San Pedro. Damages observed include fallen poles and wiring.
BEL will provide further updates as soon as possible.
Part of the Dive Bar pier, I think. So much debris has washed up from so many piers that are no longer there.
This is Belize: Seriously, Earl was barely a Class 1 hurricane?
This morning, first light, at The Cloisters, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
There is debris everywhere from docks that were wiped out, up the coast. Ours is gone too.
Looking south, The Palapa Bar is gone too.
Hardly any docks are standing, including the brand new one built just north of us at The Dive Bar. Some of the debris shattered doors on first floor units sending sand and water inside and driving the occupants to the second floor.
I can't imagine what the toll must be in downtown San Pedro or in the low-lying wooden-structure villages like San Mateo.
I hear Ramon's and Ecologic lost their docks as well.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the Bound for Belize Blog
Hurricane Earl leaves a path of destruction on Ambergris Caye
Hurricane Earl has come and gone, and it has left a path of destruction along its path. In San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye, several homes were severely damaged, while along the beach many businesses and docks were partially or completely destroyed.
According to local authorities on Ambergris Caye, the preliminary damaged assessment shows significant structural damage and beach erosion. In the meantime, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) remains active as they complete their assessment, while residents who passed the storm at the respective shelters await to hear when they can return home. Furthermore the San Pedro Town Council has started cleaning up the island.
Power and water remain off. In a text message sent to customers at 8:22AM today, Belize Electricity Limited stated, "Belize Electricity Limited is assembling its team to prepare for assessments of the power system. Currently, only the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts have power supply. BEL will provide an update by 10am regarding its assessment plan." No word has been issued by Belize Water Service Ltd as of yet.
During the hurricane two houses were reported to have collapsed by the San Mateo Area, while two fires were reported due to electrical outages/surges. No human loss or injuries have been reported.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more in the San Pedro Sun
More photos of the damage in Caye Caulker. Thank you Ramir Villanueva!
The "all clear" has been given by the Gov't of Belize. As such we anticipate a resumption of domestic flights this afternoon, with a gradual return to our complete schedule (including international) of flights by this weekend.
We ask that those with flight / rebooking / scheduling questions, kindly contact our reservations team at +501 226-2626 or via email at [email protected]. Please note that there may be a high volume of calls so we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
For those with Cargo questions, we ask that you contact your nearest Tropic Air station for details on resumption of cargo services in your area.
Finally, we know that many of our fellow countrymen have been affected by the passage of the storm. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all, and we wish you all a speedy recovery
Our viewers in San Ignacio report that the downtown area is under water. The market area seems to be particularly under threat as the river level continues to rise.
Channel 5
Hurricane Earl Aftermath Ambergris Caye AUG 6, 2016
First look of beachfront destruction. Walked from Amigos Del Mar to Ramon's Village. Much more damage to be seen, FYI Palapa Bar...gone! Most docks destroyed or gone. Much work to do and will provide jobs for many to rebuild in short time.
Although the ALL CLEAR Phase has been declared some squally conditions are still likely and seas will be rough. Therefore small craft warning remains in effect for offshore waters.
There is major infrastructure and building damage; many roads and streets are blocked in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Belize City, and Ladyville, Belize River Valley, Orange Walk, Belmopan and other affected areas.
The Ministry of Works is clearing the main highways. Highways from Benque to Belize City are open at this time. Later today the bus schedule will resume.
Thank you for these updates. My heart is broken for my friends in San Pedro. Supposed to visit next week, but I guess that will have to wait to be determined.
From San Ignacio... reports that area by reimers feed, bamboo bar, had over 5 feet of water over hour ago, and waters rising quickly. over 3 ft per hour. so the entire market must be under water too. last big flood down town san ignacio was august 1995. with 4 ft in the belize bank in their just previous location. they say they will release more water from dam soon.
From Placencia....
power went out at midnight, out for 14 hrs, then on & off. for a cat 1 going north we sure got hit! 100ft hammond tree fell & many more trees cracked giant branches all over our property. we had to move the dogs at 2 am into my husband's studio, they were crying (yelping), their area is where the giant tree fell. luckily no dogs were hurt, even their dog houses were fine, but the debris is amazing, feet deep. the fallen 100 ft tree fell into the jungle & not on them, but its branches exploded all over them. everywhere is giant fallen branches, coconuts, flowers strewn about. this morning we managed to clean the studio (there was doggy damage as they are mostly outdoor mutts), even without power there was water, soap, & bleach. gasp. tired today! argh. dogs look exhausted except for the pup--she is ready for fun. otherwise, factory & creatures all fine.
Images from all over Belmopan and Roaring Creek bridge. Kudos to the Belmopan City Council Traffic Wardens for clearing the highway into Belmopan from the new roundabout.
::::::NEMO will begin distributing care'packages to those'in need
:::::::Government will seek to provide temporary homes for those who have no home to go back to
:::::::Government will ASSIST in the rebuilding efforts as there is a limit as to what they can provide
::::::All assistance will be done via the NEMO office. No funds will be given to any minister to handle directly
::::::Dr Carla Barnett has been elevated to Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance to aid in the acquisition of international monies to aid in rebuilding efforts. Her appointment will be gazetted as soon as possible
:::::::House Meeting scheduled for August 10 will be postponed until further notice
:::::::Government will reach out as best as possible to those who were affected by Earl
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BUS SCHEDULE FOR THIS EVENING:
The Department of Transport hereby informs the general public of the following bus schedules:
Two Westline buses will leave from Benque to Belize City and from Belize City to Benque this evening.
One James Bus will leave from Punta Gorda to Belize City at 4:00 p.m. this evening.
Please Note: There will be no busses leaving to Punta Gorda until tomorrow when the James bus line resumes to its normal bus schedule.
One Morales bus will leave from Corozal to Belize City at 3:45 p.m. this evening.
Busses will return from Belize City to Corozal at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. respectively.
Tomorrow all bus lines resume to their normal schedule.
Curiously, the Catch of the Day boat survived intact on its elevated perch while all around it, devastation reined.
From Ak'Bol to Caribbean Villas, Ambergris Caye coast nearly stripped of piers
This morning I found the owners of Ak'Bol Yoga Retreat down shore, retrieving canvas curtains and polls from their lovely palapa studio. Which no longer exists. Later some friends told me that the top to the gazebo that once crowned our own dock was down shore and intact on a beach.
"It still has its light fixture."
A dive shop owner told me he was able to find his compressors underwater and about half of his 60 air tanks.
Everywhere you looked today, people were off in search of their docks, their gear, some remnant of their life that blew away in the Category 1 hurricane Earl last night.
The winds blew from north to south, stripping the shore of almost everything. What is left is badly damaged.
Among the casualties are Ak'Bol which the owners will rebuild after the hurricane season ends in November; the Palapa Bar on Boca del Rio; Fido's dock which was home berth for the YOLO excursion boat; Dos Amigos; both water taxi piers were badly damaged or destroyed; Ramon's Resort dock; Ecologic Tours; the pier leading out to the Tackle Box restaurant; the water slide El Diablo at Caribbean Villas and so much more. Add the gas station dock to the list.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the Bound for Belize Blog
This is so heartbreaking for you all! It looks like we are going to have to cancel our trip tomorrow 😪😪 I am unable to get a hold of our hotel (Belizean Shores) to even see if they are operational. Does anyone know?
The Macal River water still rises in San Ignacio - the market area is completely submerged. Some saying it should rise more if it continues raining in Guatemala. Photo by SanPedroScoop
Video: Prime Minister speaks of Hurricane Earl, 2 1/2 minutes
Does anyone know if the SP water taxi from Belize City to SP is up and running (or expected to be running tomorrow)? I didn't see any posts on their status and understand they suffered serious dock damage...Thx.
There was an official notice in a Caye Caulker group that the SP Express will be running tomorrow. Schedule from CC to BZ is as normal except the firs boat will leave at 7 instead of 6:30. At the time of posting they were not yet sure of the schedule between CC and SP. It might be that the pier in SP has damage that needs to be addressed before they can commit?
I would like to speak to the indomitable spirit of the Caye Caulker people. I have NEVER seen so many people walking the streets of Caye Caulker at 5:30 a.m. before (:-) ) In joining everyone in "faasing" at that hour to see what happened to who, I ran into Chairlady Miss Neldy Rosado already surveying the damage -- and her clean up crew hard at work. By 6:00 a.m. roads were already cleared for traffic. By 7:00 a.m. many roads had already been thoroughly cleaned of debris. If you drive around Caye Caulker right now, you will see vestiges of the storm that hit us last night, but most of all, what you will see is resilience in all manner, shape or form. Folks, many of our business establishments are now up and running. While there is still a bit of clean up to do, Caye Caulker is back in business!!!
Good morning everyone, boats will be running today (Friday) for the San Pedro Belize Express, on Caye Caulker from our same bridge. The normal schedule will be running except the first boat leaving for Belize City will be at 7 instead of 6:30. We are not sure at this time of the exact schedule between Caye Caulker and San Pedro. As soon as I know, I will post it.
7pm Thursday: Restoration of Power Supply Continues Following Passage of Hurricane Earl
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) suffered extensive damage to its infrastructure in the Belize District, including San Pedro and Caye Caulker, during the passage of Hurricane Earl. Restoration of power supply continues this evening throughout the country.
As of 6:00 p.m. today, power has been restored to the other districts and half of San Pedro and Caulker, with the exception of a few areas. BEL's crews will be working late into the night to restore power to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, downtown Belize City and surrounding areas.
Works will resume at the break of dawn tomorrow in two phases. The first phase is expected to be completed by late afternoon; and the second phase will be completed late into the night. BEL expects that, at the completion of the second phase, 95% of the country will be restored. The final stage will be completed on Saturday, August 6.
Jeffrey Locke of the Belize Electricity Limited is presenting assessments. He has estimated that about 80% of power will be restored by midday Friday.
Customers may contact BEL Friday at 0-800-BEL-CARE (0-800-235-2273) to get more details of the restoration time for their specific area.
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The San Pedro Traffic Department ask's the public to be extra careful while driving. Look out for power lines and trees that are down, slow down if you have to cross a flooded area and be extra careful when passing pedestrians. Thank you and lets all do our part to clean up the storm damage.
Ben Popik has compiled an impressive collage of aerial photos that really show, the "tell tale" destruction of personal properties on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. These photos cover the first five blocks onshore of the island town. Considering the extent of existing developments north and south of town, the damage is no doubt extensive. Development south of the town center extends 4 miles to Boca Chica and probably 14 miles north to Basil Jones. Thank you Ben Popik for allowing us the privilege to share your photos. Muchas gracias!
Our friends in Caye Caulker have done an amazing job documenting the damage on the island left behind by Hurricane Earl.
Click photos for more pictures
Hurricane Earl (August 4, 2016)
Skip forward a bit to the 12 minute mark as this was a live telecast that took a bit of time to get going.
Drone footage emerges of devastating flood in San Ignacio
Dramatic aerials of the town of San Ignacio in Belize have revealed high floodwaters after the passage of Hurricane Earl overnight.
Residents are seen stranded by the water of the overflowing Macal River which runs through the centre of town.
Flooding In Belize From Tropical Storm Earl
The towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena in Belize witnessed heavy rains and severe flooding on Thursday, after the passage of Hurricane Earl overnight.
Roaring Creek - Belize River Flood Earl Aftermath
Flood at Roaring Creek Bridge leading into the Belize River behind the Guanacaste Park.
TROPIC AIR FLIGHT OPERATIONS UPDATE Friday, August 5th
All flights are now operating normally and as per our published schedule.
The only exceptions are our Roatan and San Pedro Sula, Honduras to Belize City flights this morning. These have been cancelled for today only.
We would also like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we restarted operations yesterday. If there are any reservations or ticketing questions please call us at +501 226 2626 or 226 2012. You can also email us at [email protected].
For questions regarding Cargo operations, kindly contact your local Tropic Air station.
Tourism Industry hit: San Pedro Piers and Docking Facilities and Archaeological sites pummeled by Earl
According to Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism "In looking at the preliminary assessment and our biggest tourism destination, San Pedro, we had significant damage when it comes to the piers and docking facilities. It is estimated so far that at least 90% of all piers and docking facilities have been destroyed.
The dive shops that are on the piers were also destroyed. We have significant beach erosion and many fallen trees and debris.
Fortunately the accommodations received minimal damages and we are hoping that coordination with them, working with the stakeholders, we can get the accommodations back in order as soon as next week. In talking with some of the stakeholders, the reports are, once the human resources and the utilities are back in order, operations will resume as normal.
In Belize City, we experienced similar damages when it comes to the piers and docking facilities. Two of our major resorts in Belize received some structural damages, namely the Radisson and the Ramada. The Biltmore is in good condition and operational at this time. When it comes to the airlifts, our airport is in good condition, no problems reported at the airport, no downtime, in fact the airport is now operational. The Fort Street Tourism Village, flooding and debris, cleaning up has commenced and that village should be ready on Tuesday for the next cruise ship arrival.
The archaeological sites, Lamani and Altun Ha received damages. The ATM and Barton Creek because of accessibility, no assessment done but we believed there are some damages in those areas as well. In the north and south, minimal damage reported so far, but we continue this afternoon our contact with the stake holders and more information will be made available as we continue our assessments."
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From Caye Caulker.... A lot of the damage other than a few roof loses were confined to within 30 feet of the seashore. This is to be expected. Anyone who builds a dock or a shack on the beach should expect damage whenever there is a storm. It's natural. In the olden days people used to build on stilts. This allowed the water to flow underneath. Today I see lots of structures flat on the ground.
Where you planning a trip to Belize in the near future? This is a reminder to tourists to please check with the hotel you are planning on staying to make sure that they are fully operational in the aftermath of Hurricane Earl.
Day 2 after Hurricane Earl. Photos by San Pedro Sun
There are questions as to closure of the Roaring Creek Bridge. According to officials the bridge will not be closed this morning. Officials will keep monitoring the situation. An official advisory will be released in the event that the Bridge needs to be closed.
Maya Island Flight Operations Notice - August 5th, 2016
Maya Island Air takes this time to inform the general public that all flights across the Belize are now operating as per our regular, daily schedule.
During this time, we ask the our passengers bear with us as the cleaning and restoration process may still be taking place in several of our stations that experienced various forms of damage. Our team is doing its best to ensure that your flight experience during this time, is as convenient and comfortable as possible.
If you have any further questions or concerns at it relates to reservations,ticketing or cargo, kindly contact our agents at (011-501) 223-1140/ 223-1403/ 671-2190/ 672-2220 or send an email to [email protected]. Thank you for your patience and consideration.
TROPIC AIR OFFERS DISCOUNTED TRAVEL TO AID IN HURRICANE RELIEF
Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those affected by Hurricane Earl earlier this week, including many of our own employees and those frequent flyers that we have come to know as family. We are saddened by all that was lost, but also grateful that there was no loss of life.
The task of rebuilding has already started in earnest, and we are eager to support this effort. With this is mind, we will be offering all domestic travellers 50% off flights through August 14th, 2016. All local flights are included except for those coming from, or going to, the Belize International Airport (BZE)
"We needed to do our part", said John Greif III, President of Tropic Air. "Being part of every community in Belize, it was important to us that we make sure people can get where they need to go quickly in order to rebuild. When we fly to a community, we also become part of it, and being part of it, means becoming involved."
The discount can be applied to travel booked online at tropicair.com using promotional code: D50AUG. Tickets can also be booked at any of our stations or via our reservations department at 226-2012/2626 or [email protected]
The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi will be operating from the back bridge for right now. If this changes, we will let you know right away. Please come to the back bridge for our regularly scheduled service. Thank you.
The Belize Zoo survived the passing of Hurricane Earl, but not without significant damage to trees and vegetation. Our animals are all safe, and exhibits held up well. We are closed to the public until Monday August 8th as we undertake our extensive cleanup campaign. A big thanks to all our concerned friends and well wishers. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts
Agriculture suffers tremendous loss to Earl
According to Jose Alpuche, CEO, Ministry of Agriculture "The areas most impacted are, as the prime minister mentioned, bananas, corn and vegetable production. In the banana industry, the initial assessment is that in South Stann Creek, approximately 75% losses, in the Cow Pen area 60%-70% losses, and Bladen & Swasey area at just about 60% losses. These losses can be categorized in 2 general production cycles, that is, those for harvest through the remainder of this year, and those for harvest next year.
The losses are roughly about 50/50 in the 2 production cycles. The real issue that needs to be addressed beyond the fruit loss is a very critical one and that is to determine whether we have sufficient volume to maintain regular exports. This will need very careful study and discussion between the farmers and the marketers. this is a very substantial point, because it means that even those that are still producing a perfectly good product may not be able to export but let us see how that goes, it requires much more careful study and discussion with the marketers and producers.
Corn has been severely impacted, especially in the central region, Spanish Lookout alone reporting losses of 75,000 tons or approximately 42 million Belize dollars in losses. In Indian creek, losses for corn is another 7 and a half million. Little Belize reports moderate impact and we still have other major growers to survey. As you know, corn is also a small farmer staple and we expect that wherever damage occurred, and corn is present, the losses are also severe.
Vegetable production, which is an important income earner for many small farmers have also been severely impacted. The minister's area, the Maskall Bomba, producers almost lost everything. Similarly in the Springfield and Armenia, the damages are almost total. We still have Valley of Peace and other vegetable communities in the Cayo and Orange Walk districts to survey. An important program promoting covered structure for vegetable production has been severely impacted with virtually all structured being compromised or completely destroyed.
The infrastructure losses to small farmers will amount to well over 2 million dollars, and that's only the infrastructure, we are not talking about the value of the product. The fisheries sector, we are estimating roughly a half a million dollars in losses to assets, but this does not include the losses from production stock. You are aware that we are in the middle of the lobster season which is our highest price commodity. The poultry sector lost barns and a few birds, that does not seem too severe at this point in time, but we need closer assessment. Sugar, Santander reports some flooding of field and some minor damage to infrastructure. The northern sugar industry is reporting approximately 7,000 acres of stand over cane with wind damage and potential water damage based on how long the water remains."
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Carla Barnett appointed to Minister of State to Find Post Hurricane Funds
According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow
"It will be absolutely critical for us to determine how much we are going to lose. I want at the end of the process for us to be able to say to the international community this is the volume of our losses. This is the percentage of GDP that it represents and on that basis of course we make our case for the kind of international partner relief that we will need. In that context let me announce right away that it is my intention to elevate Senator Hon. Dr. Carla Barnett to the position of Minister of State in the my ministry of finance and she will then be put in charge of leading the process that will produce that country economic damage assessment for purposes of our interaction with the international community."
BEL Continues to Restore Power to the Remainder of the Country
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) continues to restore power supply to the country since the passage of Hurricane Earl. Restoration efforts resumed promptly at dawn today, primarily in the Belize District, where the Company's infrastructure sustained the most damage.
As of 9:00 a.m. today, approximately 75% of all customers have been restored. However, in the Belize District, only 20% of customers have power supply. BEL crews are now focusing on completing restoration of power, by the end of today, to most of Belize City up to Mile 4 on the Philip Goldson Highway, portions of Ladyville and nearby areas.
Works will continue into Saturday to restore the remainder of the Belize District, as those areas require extensive works. This includes from Mile 8 to 31 on the George Price Highway, Mile 4 to Mile 35 on the Philip Goldson Highway, the Old Northern Highway, Burrell Boom and the Belize River Valley.
BEL advises customers to expect intermittent power interruptions, which may be necessary during the process of reconnecting other customers.
BEL teams working to restore power supply following passage of Hurricane Earl.
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Santa Rita, Cerro Maya, Lim Li Punit and Lubaantun Ope
All other Archaeological Reserves and cave sites remail closed until further notice...
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Belize Water Services informs its customers in Belmopan that there is an ongoing interruption in their water supply today Friday, August 5, 2016.
This interruption is due to no electricity. Customers may experience low water pressure and/or discoloration in their water supply when water is restored. The areas being affected are Lomas de las Flores, portion of Camalote and Teakettle.
BWS continues to work diligently to restore water supply. BWS thanks you for your kind cooperation as we recover from this natural disaster.
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The Swing Bridge will also be swung at 3:00 pm today.
Good afternoon, the San Pedro Belize Express would like to announce that the Chetumal Run will be resuming on August 8. Please share this around facebook for me. If you have any questions, please call the main office at 223-2225. Our phone is not working and we are now providing service from the back bridge on Caye Caulker with the normal schedule. You can find the schedule online at www.belizewatertaxi.com If I am not available to immediately answer your questions, please forgive me because we are working especially hard to keep normal operations at this trying time and to provide safe service to all of our customers.
288 pics.
I'm a part of NEMO's Damage and Assessment Team in Caye Caulker and this is the way I assisted them.
My family and i evacuated our home just right before the hurricane made landfall. We went to shelter way out front on the main of the island, so after Earl was all gone, i had access to take all these pics. I didnt even check on my home yet caz we heard it was not accessible. However, after a couple hours, we were able to go home. But the entire area was flooded and we were only able to pass bcaz my golf cart is high. Others with lower carts couldnt get back there. Being that there was no electricity at our home at the time, we had no access to leave and go anywhere since the water was still high and we had already sighted Crocodiles swimming around. It wasnt safe to walk in that water! So we had no choice, but to ask for assistance with some food and water. Thanks to amazing friends and family, we got what we needed!!
photos by Suzie Q Blease
BEL Completes Phase One of Restoration Works
At 2:00 p.m. today, approximately 80% of the country has been restored with power supply, as Belize Electricity (BEL) continues to work diligently to repair damages caused by Hurricane Earl.
Over the past 30 hours, critical facilities such as the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, water pumping stations, communication systems, airports and major commercial areas have been restored with power supply.
Priority is now being placed on completing restoration in high risk areas of Belize City and Ladyville tonight and tomorrow. The Belize District continues to require the highest level of restorative efforts and the Company expects to complete restoration to the remaining areas by the end of the weekend.
BEL thanks customers for their continued patience during this time.
These were some images sent by Geoffrey Segura showing how high the water came when Hurricane Earl visited. Images are of the downtown Welcome Center, the area where the new bridge is under construction, The Hawkesworth Bridge. Thanks Geoffrey.
Back in business just like that! Way to go Holiday Hotel, we love ya!
The owner and staff of Holiday Hotel would like to thank everyone that helped in the cleanup yesterday. We are heartbroken at all the loss our community suffered from Hurricane Earl, but as many have said, we are a strong and resilient community.
We still have a long way to go, but here's an update of our progress.
The hotel, restaurant, bar and Celi's deli are all open at regular business hours.
Thanks again for all the support!
Click photos for more pictures
Ministry of Health Hurricane Earl Public Advisory
Belmopan, August 5, 2016. The Ministry of Health can report at this time that all our Community and Regional hospitals and Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital have resumed regular services, and were able to maintain exceptional functioning operations to the public during the passage of Hurricane Earl with minimal disruption.
After the past couple of days of rains, many residents have been experiencing flooding in their areas. The flooding may have contaminated their drinking water leaving it unsafe to drink and requiring treatment in order for it to be potable. We are liaising with BWS to ensure this matter is addressed.
In order to avoid becoming ill, all households whose drinking water may be affected are asked to treat their water to make it safe by:
1. Adding 1 tablespoon of Clorox to five gallons of water, mix completely and leave to stand for 30 minutes before using. DO NOT use bleach that have perfumes.
2. Boiling water at a rolling boil for one minute.
3. Adding water purification tablets according to directions on the package.
4. Reporting any leaks in pipe lines to Belize Water Services.
It is also highly recommended that for persons in the rural areas that experienced flooding and use well water to also treat their drinking water as it may not be safe to drink. Water that is dark, has an odor, or has floating pieces SHOULD NOT be used and should be disinfected.
The public is advised that the Ministry of Health continues to monitor the flooding situation to ensure all persons remain safe during this time of emergency.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin is grateful to the health staff who worked in and around the health facilities before, during and immediately after the emergency to ensure as little interruption as possible as we continue to provide service to the public.
For More information, please contact your nearest health facility, the Ministry of Health at 822-2325, 822-0809 or our hotline number if necessary at 629-5604.
Coastal Devastation on Ambergris Caye by Hurricane Earl, Islanders Rebuild
As day broke on Ambergris Caye, Belize, on Thursday, August 4, 2016, on the aftermath of Hurricane Earl slamming into the country, it was evident that the majority of the devastation on the island was concentrated on the coastline. It is estimated so far that at least 90% of all piers and docking facilities have been destroyed. Every single pier on the island is either partially damage, significantly destroyed or completely wiped out. A major impact is that to the tourism sector as most dive shops that were situated on piers have been completely destroyed.
Massive piles of rubble and debris from these piers accumulated on the beach; an unbelievable site as residents headed to the shoreline to assess the damage by the storm. As the initial shock wore off though, island residents immediately commenced cleanup efforts. The entire day was spent assessing the damages and commencement of cleaning up. There is no question that the island will rebuild.
Ambergris Caye is down, but not out. Power has been restored to half of the island and the power company is expecting to have the entire island entirely back on the grid by today or early Saturday, August 6. Only a handful of homes/structures suffered damages on Ambergris Caye and businesses are working diligently to open shop and get the island running back to normal. Other parts of the island experienced minimal impact with a lot of fallen trees and some downed power lines and damages light posts. There is significant erosion of the beaches, although some areas can boast new widened beaches.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the Ambergris Today
Thanks to Rosita Rosado for sending us images of some of the damges in Caye Caulker
Click photos for more pictures
Thanks to Lupi Guerra for sending us images of Iguana Creek and San Ignacio.
Click photos for more pictures
NICH has released a statement detailing damages sustained by the nation's historic and archeological sites as a result of Hurricane Earl.
NICH and the Ministry of Culture are reporting that the storm affected several archaeological sites and NICH buildings. Altun Ha and Lamanai are closed for clean up of fallen trees and other debris. The boat dock used for Lamanai is damaged.
Caves Branch is closed. NICH assessment teams have not be able to reach Xunantunich because of the swollen river. Caracol is inaccessible due to parts of the road being impassable. Flooding at the ATM Cave and other cave sites have forced a temporary closure
For the archaeological sites themselves, Dr. John Morris, the Director of the Institute of Archaeology, say the preserved, ancient Mayan temples at these sites can be damaged by wind and rain. The Museum of Belize had 4 inches of water and silt. The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts had extensive interior damage for water, silt, mud, broken glass windows, and roof damage.
Hurricane Earl leaves trail of destruction countrywide
Hurricane Earl made landfall in the early hours of Thursday, August 4th on the northern portion of the country. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye was devastated, as the category 1 hurricane wiped out entire docks and buildings on the eastern coast of the island. In other parts of town, trees were uprooted, power lines fell, rooftops blown away and several homes in the low lying areas completely flooded or destroyed.
The catastrophic impact of the storm was quite unexpected for a category 1 hurricane. However, according to locals who have studied the weather patterns, the almost direct hit on the island and the amount of surges created by the strong winds blowing from the north made for a powerful combination. Several residents had to be rescued during the storm as their homes collapsed, while over the water businesses and docks literally disappeared. Fortunately there were no injuries or human lives were lost.
The San Pedro Town Council has also been busy organizing the clean ups in all corners of the island and along its beaches. Mayor Daniel Guerrero, along with NEMO, EOC and Area Representative Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr, have opened the communication channels with Central Government and other agencies countrywide. Both the Mayor and the Area Representative are ready to assist as soon as the damage assessment is complete.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) also issued a press release advising the general public how to treat sources of drinking water. It is recommended that 1 tablespoon of Clorox should be added to five gallons of water, mix completely and leave to stand for 30 minutes before using. The use of perfumed bleach is strongly discouraged. Another advice is to bring water to a boiling point for a minute. Other ways to make the water potable is by adding water purification tablets according to directions on the package. The ministry also advised any leaks in pipe lines should be reported to Belize Water Services.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby informs the general public that flood waters are swelling the river banks and people living in the following villages must continue to take immediate flood response actions:
Areas of concern are: Cayo District - Arenal; Succothz; Calla Creek; La Clarissa; Siete Millas; Barton Creek; San Marcos; Billy White; Central Farm; Buena Vista; Providencien; Ramonal; Paslow Falls, Bullet Tree Falls; Santa Familia, Branch Mouth, villages along the George Price Highway, Roaring Creek and More Tomorrow.Belize River Valley - Crooked Tree, St. Paul's Bank; Willows Bank; Rancho Doleres; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon;Burrel Boom; Lord's Bank; Ladyville; Bomba, Maskall, St. Anns; Santana; Lucky Strike; Rockstone Pond and Boston.
People living in La Democracia; coastal highway community; Gales Point; Mullins River; Gracie Rock; Hattieville; Freetown Sibun, and Butcher Burns are advised to take note of this advisory.
Farmers with livestock MUST take the necessary actions and seek safety and move them to higher grounds. The flood waters likely to rise and spread fast.
People living in these flood prone areas are being strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher grounds to protect life. Seek shelter with families or friends or go to a community shelter. MOVE OUT of areas that are likely to flood.
Road conditions: Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry and Iguana Creek Bridge are impassable at this time.
*The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is impassable. *The Roaring Creek Bridge remains open. * The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River is closed.
Do not: cross flood waters, especially at night. NEMO river monitors will be monitoring and reporting the different river levels.
NEMO remains vigilant and will be monitoring the flooding situation. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating in the territorial waters of Belize. The Authority is currently working on restoring all Aids to Navigation in the channels which shifted due to Hurricane Earl.
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NEMO ADVISORY 2 FLOOD SITUATION IN BELIZE
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby informs the general public that flood waters are swelling the river banks and people living in the following villages must continue to take immediate flood response actions: Areas of concern are:
Cayo District - Arenal; Succothz; Calla Creek; La Clarissa; Siete Millas; Barton Creek; San Marcos; Billy White; Central Farm; Buena Vista; Providencien; Ramonal; Paslow Falls, Bullet Tree Falls; Santa Familia, Branch Mouth, villages along the George Price Highway, Roaring Creek and More Tomorrow.
Belize River Valley - Crooked Tree, St. Paul's Bank; Willows Bank; Rancho Doleres; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon; Burrel Boom; Lord's Bank; Ladyville; Bomba, Maskall, St. Anns; Santana; Lucky Strike; Rockstone Pond and Boston.
People living in La Democracia; coastal highway community; Gales Point; Mullins River; Gracie Rock; Hattieville; Freetown Sibun, and Butcher Burns are advised to take note of this advisory.
Farmers with livestock MUST take the necessary actions and seek safety and move them to higher grounds. The flood waters likely to rise and spread fast. People living in these flood prone areas are being strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher grounds to protect life. Seek shelter with families or friends or go to a community shelter. MOVE OUT of areas that are likely to flood.
Road conditions: Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry and Iguana Creek Bridge are impassable at this time. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is impassable. The Roaring Creek Bridge remains open. . Just and questionable if it will stay open or close later. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River is closed.
Do not: cross flood waters, especially at night. NEMO river monitors will be monitoring and reporting the different river levels. NEMO remains vigilant and will be monitoring the flooding situation. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating in the territorial waters of Belize. The Authority is currently working on restoring all Aids to Navigation in the channels which shifted due to Hurricane Earl.
heard that there is a big portion, over 30 ft of the low san ignacio bridge, got tangled up with 2 trees, and the public works guy (at restaurant) said he expects will be out for month.
someone asked about the BEL notifying public about opening the dam gates. i am not sure they have a formal notification system, but wouldn't be a bad idea. folks down town san ignacio are questioning the timing of the recent releases, and we heard (grapevine) they are opening letting more water out tonight. business owners worried about now a 3rd flooding (up down up down now expecting up again)
Hurricane Earl has come and gone and like many other places in Belize, it left it's mark on an Iconic Belize City destination, The Birds Isle. Many know the Birds Isle for their delicious food, great entertainment and of course their Basketball court. Today we spoke to Henry Young Jr. owner of the Birds Isle restaurant, where he told us how they prepared for Hurricane Earl and of the extent of the damages to his business.
Young told Love News that although the Birds isle restaurant suffered significant damages; you can expect them to be back and ready for business on Monday August 8. As for the Basketball court there at the Birds Isle, it is unclear of whether it will be rebuilt or not. Both the Birds Isle Restaurant and basketball court are insured by RF&G.
mennonites had told me of many chicken coop roofs blown off; young chickens died from shock of all the rain, older birds survived. and all barton ramie corn - their main crop area by river across from georgeville, complete loss first estimate of 42 M which dwarfs the losses in last year from the bird flu of 3 M. this year will be corn importing year as stocks were very low already with drought losses the last few years. not sure when was last time we imported corn but many years ago. beans yes we have imported in recent years, not corn as far as i know. the corn and chicken businesses had grown together. we'll see what will happen to chicken prices here.
the mennonites (sp lkt) s aid they thought the winds there were between 80 and 90mph, not 70. they said some fields had been completely flattened, and that in others the damage was in swirled areas. but all along the river (barton ramie) completely down. they are wondering how they will clean up this downed heavy mess prior to replanting - that it will be a procedure in itself. the corn was at tasseling stage for most part. if the corn had been further developed, the corn cob seals itself almost water tight they said and can be sometimes salvaged, but these very immature ears were not yet sealed plus the broken stems will preclude nutrient uptake.. i was surprised by the information about having salvaged mature corn that was under water previous harvests, which they sent to labs abroad to verify safety before using for chicken feed.
White Sands Dive Shop (Elbert Greer) is in good shape and taking out divers and snorkelers just off line for a few days.
The dive shop and dock at dive shop are good and the only problem right now is the phone and internet cables are ripped out. It might be days for internet to come back.
White Sands Dive Shop (Elbert Greer) is in good shape and taking out divers and snorkelers just off line for a few days.
The dive shop and dock at dive shop are good and the only problem right now is the phone and internet cables are ripped out. It might be days for internet to come back.
White Sands Dive Shop (Elbert Greer) is in good shape and taking out divers and snorkelers just off line for a few days.
The dive shop and dock at dive shop are good and the only problem right now is the phone and internet cables are ripped out. It might be days for internet to come back.
Good News!! Glad for your good fortune Elbert.
We've been very lucky. I'm using a cel number 628 4443 for the shop. I'm at Las Terrazas at the moment. I would pay a BTL guy 100 usd cash on the spot to hook my wire back up :-)
Thanks Bob, but I just got a smart wireless thingamajig and I'm on. Wow this is cool. You buy a Smart wireless modem and pay for some time... or is it space, I've always been a little confused it's probably both but hea, I'm back :-)
1. SITUATION. NEMO response to the aftermath of Category 1 Hurricane Earl continues with focus primarily on providing immediate relief to the affected people, the restoration of critical lifeline facilities, operational normalcy at all ports, and assessments of agriculture, fisheries, transportation, utilities, communication, infrastructure, housing, cultural, and environmental situation.
2. PEOPLE IN SHELTER. 164. San Pedro and Caye Caulker- 9 persons in San Pedro High School; Belize City- 78 persons in Unity Presbyterian, St. John’s Vianney, Queen Square is closed; and St. Luke; Cayo. Teakettle-16 persons; More tomorrow- 15 persons; St. Matthews- 31 persons; and Cotton Tree- 15 persons.
3. FOOD/WATER RELIEF OPERATIONS. NEMO National Relief and Supplies Management Committee (RSMC) through NEMO warehouses distributed thousands of emergency food packs and water as part of the immediate relief for the affected population. Other relief supplies such as tarps, plastic sheeting, in various quantities have also been distributed. The BDF is providing hot meals in Belize City and Ladyville and surrounding communities.
4. UTILITIES RESTORATION
a. WATER. Rural Water Systems UPDATE: Santa Familia not yet operational, and concerns with water quality (turbidity) due flooding at Billy White and Bullet Tree, Cayo. All other district water systems have resumed normal operations. Emergency water relief is being organized for those in need. Harvesting of rainwater is always encouraged.
b. BWS. Belmopan and San Pedro are operating in low water pressure mode, as BWSL continues to repair leaks in those systems. Water systems in rural Belize District still lack electricity, therefore running on generators.
c. ELECTRICITY. BEL UPDATE – At the start of the day 86% of all customers in the country have electricity; update as of today 92%. Corozal, Orange Walk Dangriga, Independence and Punta Gorda have had electric service fully restored. Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio, San Pedro and Caye Caulker have had all their primary circuits restored. However, there may be localized low-voltage (LV) circuits still not repaired. Ladyville Feeder 3 (Airport & Met Office Energized) and portions of Feeder 1 & 2:- [George Price Hwy] from Belize City to Mile 8 and from [Philip Goldson Hwy] Belize City to Billy Musa’s residence.
e. Telecommunications. Speednet–In Belize City Channel 5 site is repaired, while the Renaissance tower site expected to be repaired by Sunday. Fix will restore coverage to entire Belize City. Independence site that was damaged Tuesday due to thunderstorm has been restored. Hopkins, Big Falls, and San Pedro North sites are fully functional power supply issues were resolved today. Two towers near JB on George Price Highway is down and currently undergoing repairs.
f. BTL UPDATE -Customers in the following areas are experiencing little or no mobile voice or data service due to cell site outages (with estimated restoration times). Lucky Strike (Saturday, 6 pm). The cell site at Burrell Boom was completely destroyed. (August 16th uptime). Customers in the following areas are experienced limited or degraded services due to cell site outages. The cell site at Love FM was completely destroyed, therefore surrounding neighborhoods may be affected (August 16th uptime). BTL is aware that there are a number of cut and hanging landlines impacting some Customers and Neighborhoods. Actual numbers not available at this time.
g. Fuel Distribution. Sufficient Fuel oil stocks available for immediate relief phase once electricity is restored to the fuel stations. Some of the aforementioned information will be upgraded.
5. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. Immediate humanitarian relief assessments are in their final stage. There are a few communities with gaps that are being addressed. A separate longer economic impact assessment will follow the immediate relief assessments.
6. CLEAN UP. Clean up continues in Belize City, Ladyville and surrounding communities.
7. HOUSEHOLD AND MATERIAL RELIEF OPERATIONS will commence as soon as the information is compiled and verified.
8. FLOOD OPERATIONS. NEMO continues to warn people living along the Mopan and Macal rivers to stay alert. People in the Belize District along the Belize River needs to be prepared for flooding and to continue taking the necessary actions. Flood waters are swelling the river banks and people living in the following villages must continue take immediate flood response actions:
Areas of concern are:
Cayo District - Arenal; Succothz; Calla Creek; La Clarissa; Siete Millas; Barton Creek; San Marcos; Billy White; Central Farm; Buena Vista; Providencien; Ramonal; Paslow Falls, Bullet Tree Falls; Santa Familia, Branch Mouth, villages along the George Price Highway, Roaring Creek and More Tomorrow.
Belize River Valley - Bomba, Maskall, St. Anns; Santana; Lucky Strike; Rockstone Pond and Boston Crooked Tree. Also of concern is St. Paul’s Bank; Willows Bank; Rancho Doleres; Double Head Cabbage;
Bermudian Landing; Lemonal; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon; Burrel Boom; Lord’s Bank; and Ladyville.
People living in La Democracia; coastal highway community; Gales Point; Mullins River; Gracie Rock; Hattieville; Freetown Sibun, and Butcher Burns are advised to take note.
Road conditions: The road to Challilo is becoming impassable to staff going to the Dams. MOW assistance is being urgently requested. Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry and Iguana Creek Bridge are impassable at this time. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is impassable. The Roaring Creek Bridge remains open. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River is closed. In Maskal the river is 2.5 ft., under the bridge and in Bomba area it is up about 3 feet. The Manatee road is flooded at the bridge coming from the George Price Highway, access is open from the Hope Creek junction.
People living in these flood prone areas are being strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher grounds to protect life. Seek shelter with families or friends or go to a community shelter. MOVE OUT of areas that are likely to flood. Protect life first. Stay away from flood waters.Farmers with livestock take the necessary actions and seek safety and move them to higher grounds. Do not: cross flood waters, especially at night.
AIDS TO NAVIGATION
Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating in the territorial waters of Belize. The Authority is currently working on restoring all Aids to Navigation in the channels which shifted due to Hurricane Earl.
Do not listen to rumours! AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE IS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TO BELZE. Continue to listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO.
San Ignacio flood
A drone piloted by Oscar Quiroz of San Ignacio Town shows a comprehensive aerial view of the flooding that happened in San Ignacio and Santa Elena.
As you will see in the video, the flooding is unprecedented and shows areas like the San Ignacio Market and parts of down town San Ignacio under water.
Quiroz also captures the flooding in Bullet Tree Village.
BEL is offering the services of licensed electricians, to conduct inspection and repairs of damaged service entrances caused by Hurricane Earl. Call 0.800.BEL.CARE (0-800-235-2273) for more information.
Belize Electricity Limited advises customers who have damaged service entrances due to Hurricane Earl, that they can apply to BEL for help.
BEL is offering the services of licensed electricians, contracted by the Company, to conduct inspection and repairs of damaged service entrances. Interested customers must apply and agree to pay the cost in three (3) monthly instalments added to their next electricity bills.
BEL reminds customers that service entrances, which are required for safe and proper connection to BEL's electricity supply, are the property and responsibility of customers.
Interested customers may call 0.800.BEL.CARE (0-800-235-2273) for more information.
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SPBE WATER TAXI IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL. PROCEEDING WITH FULL SCHEDULE.( see link below)
at the moment you can find us at:
San Pedro: Main Pier, located by Daddy Rocks
Caye Caulker: back pier , next to Caribena Gas Station
Hurricane Earl came to Cayo. Nobody was hurt, luckily, but some trees were knocked down, and it flooded some on Thursday. Daniel Velazquez captured some amazing photos of the flooding, and the people of Cayo out enjoying the amazing post-hurricane weather. Be safe.
"after a crazy night, went into town did some photography of Hurricane earl flood and had some beers, ran into a old Peace Corps friend, from 20 years back."
Adventure in Belize
Hurricane Earl strikes San Pedro, Belize during tropical vacation. August, 2016.
Storms, Surge, and Hurricanes This is the first Sunday I've not had to work in some capacity in...well...like 2 years. It's felt pretty weird really. I've even gone over to the "shop" a couple of times - maybe subconsciously hoping it would magically be there this time, but nay not really. I fancy myself who accepts whats happened pretty quickly and already am planning for the next phase before the seas let the sands settle.
Don't get me wrong - the destruction of your business is not an easy thing to witness; but crying never cleaned spilled milk. Strength and determination in the face of adversity is what must be brought to the table. So we brought it.
In case you've missed what happened over the past few days I'll give you a brief catch up - Hurricane Earl hit Belize; only a category 1, but it doesn't mean Mother Nature didn't inflict a lot of damage. We saw about 8 feet of storm surge and 75 mile per hour winds. There were 24 foot waves crashing on the barrier reef; had that reef not been there we would've all been swimming for sure.
Who wants a day by day? Well here it is -
A Few Days of Hurricane Earl Aftermath and 2 Donation Options The country of Belize is still recovering from Hurricane Earl and will be for a while in spite of our ever present resilience and bounce back abilities.
The category 1 storm with maximum winds at approximately 80 mph left thousands facing massive cleanup and caused millions of dollars in damages countrywide. Earl made landfall just south of Belize City, not long after after being upgraded from a tropical storm to a category one hurricane. The effects were being felt on the islands and coastal areas of Belize from late evening Wednesday, August 3 with the hard hit being very early Thursday August 4th.
Homes in San Mateo suffered a great deal of damage. About six were completely leveled and a few more had severe damaged. San Pedro Red Cross is currently working with NEMO to assist the affected persons here on the island. However because of the magnitude of damages inland, Belize Red Cross is focusing on the mainland more and has stepped back to allow NEMO take the lead on the island. They are however sending staff from Headquarters to talk to the affected families, and provide disaster comping strategies.
The Power of the Surge: Category One Hurricane Earl's Mark on North Ambergris Caye I arrived back in San Pedro late yesterday afternoon to power on the island (the good news) and a huge, heartbreaking mess on the beach. We made our way up north and this morning I took a walk (and a wade) - from the house at Mile 7 down to about Mile 6 on North Ambergris Caye.
Before that, a few pictures of the very swollen rivers on the mainland that I flew over - especially around Spanish Lookout where all the land is cleared for farming.
Trees all down or submerged in the muddy water.
On Ambergris Caye, I am absolutely amazed how powerful the storm surge was - even a Category One storm, even with our barrier reef.
The house is about 250 feet back from the ocean with lots of trees and shrubs in between. Now this�
Heredia's take on the damage from Hurricane Earl . . . and more As many as 400 San Pedro residents sought refuge in the town's three shelters during the Category 1 hurricane Earl, Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia Jr. told Channel 7 News Belize.
The minister, who also serves as San Pedro's NEMO chairman, added that there were "about 6 homes that were totally destroyed and another 3 or 4 that were extensively damaged."
Heredia told Channel 7 that the "obvious" damage was seaside where "practically 90% of the piers are either gone or extensively damaged. The dive shops, likewise, I would believe that it's only two or three that are standing, but not in a very good shape also. Beach erosion was terrible over here."
7News also reports that some northern resorts, including Costa Blue, X'tan Ha and Saphire Beach have closed temporarily for repairs.
Hurricane Earl forces water taxis to shift to alternate piers . . . and more On Friday, the police and Coast Guard were reportedly chasing San Pedro Express Water Taxi - one of our lifelines to Caye Caulker and Belize City - off the Municipal Pier in front of Central Park, San Pedro.
Today the water taxi had a canopy set up with benches from the old dock. Boats were pulling in and out of the pier slips, horns blaring.
Business as usual.
Even the schedule is back to normal, according to taxi staff on the pier.
After Earl: Trying to recall what was where, and is no more How did so many well-built docks disappear?
My uneducated theory: The winds blew north to south, the waves and surge crashed in east to west. The combination set up a corkscrew motion that lifted and twisted the piers away from their pilings. Of course once whole piers were plunging into the sea, the debris set off a domino effect, crashing pier to pier until there was nothing but lumber landing on shore.
That's what I'm thinking.
Our own waterfront ended up with huge amounts of lumber, some that went through the glass doors of several first floor condos.
Our closest neighbor has sent a crew over to retrieve what remains of his commercial, dive-shop dock. It is easy to spot his lumber - it is all brand new, still green. The dock had hardly been up more than a few months. It really sticks out from the rest of the weathered and sea-butchered logs and lumber.
An Ambergris Caye classic lost to the storm: Turtleman's House The Turtleman's House has been a landmark on this island for a very long time. Greg (well known for his conservation work) actually lived in a house over the water for about 20 years before I met him 20 years ago. It has been the subject of paintings and photo shoots for years. Having a structure over the water in a hurricane area means that you have to accept the loss when it occurs . We lost my favorite house to hurricane Mitch in '98, and then two others for hurricanes Keith and Dean. It was rebuilt each time because we needed it for our ecotourism business. We don't have the business anymore, but it still hurts that the quaint little house is now gone due to hurricane Earl. Many people have lost their business this week, and my heart goes out to them.
Ambergris Caye, Belize: The Storm Has Passed and We Are Open For Business Here are the facts:
We are open for business and the best way to support our beloved island is to visit - eat, go on tours, drink and have a great time.
Talk to your hotel. There are a few that are closed for clean-up. But most are open and ready. (Not to trick you into coming to a help them clean or to sleep in a room full of sand, I mean READY)
If you have never been here, here is the list of 11 Things You MUST Do on Your First Visit to Ambergris Caye. Today, three full days after Earl, you can do 10/11 - Palapa Bar, the famous dock over the water, was very sadly washed away (though I know they will rebuild). Almost all of the restaurants, bars, tours are up and ready to go.
The sharks are waiting for you.
I'm On My Way, What Should I Expect? Many of you are on the fence about your vacation plans. So far of the 10 or so people that have asked me all of then have decided to come.
While it is true not everything may be open and there are many less docks to walk on, we are largely moving forward at a great pace. By coming down and supporting the local economy you will be helping the community through a trying time.
You will have a great time and see just how resilient and strong our community is in the face of Mother Nature and forces beyond our control.
Since the storm the skies have been bright blue interspersed with big white fluffy clouds. The first set of pictures are some that I took from my roof top yesterday. The second set below are even better for aerial pictures as they cover thew whole island.
Lessons from Earl: No. 1, Not all disasters are alike When almost an entire block on Middle Street in San Pedro went up in flames in June - leaving 66 people homeless and a number of businesses crippled or wiped out - the whole world responded with unconditional generosity.
Certainly the whole of Ambergris Caye did.
Scores of volunteers stepped in to help clear away debris. They didn't ask which rubble belonged to homes and which to businesses. The amount of clothing and food donated could be calculated in tonnage and by the size of the hearts of the people on Ambergris Caye.
Barges and planes brought in even more aid from the mainland.
A significant amount of cash was raised in numerous and imaginative ways. Nobody designated their dollars to go to specific people or businesses.
People just gave - time, money, food, clothing, shelter.
Hurricane Earl is different.
Or it seems that way.
A day on Caye Caulker Belize after Hurricane Earl So I hoped or hopped (I'm really bad about knowing the number of consonants in words - so whichever one of those means "I got on buy jumping"�although I didn't literally jump) on an Ecologic Divers day sail over the Caye Caulker, as I wanted to meander around a bit and get a feel for their "Earl recovery".
My first impression was that things looked great. The debris had been cleaned up, and while a few buildings were 'misplaced' and many docks in extremely rough shape - my feeling was that they had done better than Ambergris Caye. Mainly judging the docks; yes some were gone, many were damaged, but my basic (and very unskilled estimation) was that they had a much higher dock survival rate than AC. Then I got a bit more into things and realized they still have some big issues.
Most noticeably is the sand - the road is a foot or more higher in some places; people still shoveling out, and even some road side stands that appear to be builtwe for access by people shorter than 5′ only. Another very significant issue is the lack of current (that's a Belizean term for electricity) to a good portion of the island. Crews were hard a work in several places.
The most obvious damage was at the Split - the whole area was fenced off�though the gate was open so I helped myself to a tour! The game area was washed away, the front sun deck gone, the shallow water palapa tables gone, the beach side seating gone; at least there were lots of people at work to repair it all. Lots of sand and supplies were being brought in.
Amandala
Earl the destroyer Residents of the hurricane-struck zone of Central Belize, and primarily those living in the Belize District area-the offshore cayes, Belize City, Ladyville and the Belize River Valley-are still trying to put their lives back together after Earl ripped through the country on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
An official tally of Earl's toll on Belize is still pending; thankfully, no deaths have been attributed to the hurricane in Belize, although 6 deaths resulted from a storm-related incident on Sunday in the Dominican Republic.
In Belize, hundreds of distress calls were made as Hurricane Earl pounded Belize, leaving many homes as well as public buildings roofless-or at least with partial roof damage. The trail of destruction led as far as Belize's westernmost town of Benque Viejo del Carmen. Earl uprooted large trees; downed large billboards and signs, as well as public bus stops; compromised light poles and pulled apart high tension cables, leaving thousands without power even a day after the all-clear had been declared.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, the center of Earl made landfall just southwest of Belize City, Belize near midnight. The last reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft recoded flight-level wind of 85 knots or 97.8 miles per hour. It estimated landfall intensity at 70 knots or 80 miles per hour, although many Belizeans believe that the storm at times packed much stronger winds.
Earl causes losses of over $100 million in agriculture Earl's toll on Belize's economy is over $100 million, Jose Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, told Amandala today.
"What we have right now indicates $100 million worth of damage, because when we factor in the main affected subsectors - bananas, corn, and vegetables-corn, as I had said, was in the region of $49 million worth of losses, bananas will probably be within the region of about $40 million, and the rest takes us over $100 million in damages," Alpuche said.
This is bad news, especially against the backdrop of reports from the Statistical Institute of Belize which indicated that Belize's main export sectors-which include banana-have been contracting.
We asked Alpuche how far the damage extended, and he said that they extend from the southeast portion of the Corozal District down to northern Toledo District.
He noted that to date there is no estimated dollar figure for citrus. He told us that there were reports of fruit drops from the wind and the reports vary quite a bit.
Earl impacted more than 110,000 children in Belize: UNICEF The frightfulness of howling winds and pounding rains emanating from a fierce hurricane such as Earl is enough to traumatize a child. In fact, according to a report released today by the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF), three-fourths of Belize's children, amounting to more than 110,000 children, 27,000 of them being younger than age 5, were affected by Hurricane Earl.
The hurricane struck Belize on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning with its impacts being felt along a span of about 150 miles, covering most of Belize, with impacts concentrated across four of Belize's six districts.
"The damage caused by Hurricane Earl has put the safety-and even lives-of Belize's most vulnerable children in immediate danger," said UNICEF Belize representative Ivan Yerovi.
UNICEF said that it has conducted an initial assessment of damage caused by Earl in some of the most vulnerable communities located in Southside Belize City.
Editorial: The surprising and cruel Mister Earl From one perspective, Belize City, the nation's population center, finally ran out of hurricane luck on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, August 3/4 of 2016, after 55 years of relatively cool runnings since October 31 of 1961. On that night in 1961, for those few of you who don't know, a ferocious Category 5 lady named Hattie visited, uninvited of course, the then capital city, and life, ma Cherie, has really never been the same.
For sure there's been many a scare since Hattie, but no one since then ever made the impression Mr. Earl did this week. Back in 1978, Greta created substantial insurance opportunities for clever claimants, but she was a mere 80 miles an hour. Hattie was double that. In 1998, the terrifying Mitch was Hattie-like in power, and perhaps even worse, but Mitch veered southward to Honduras at the last minute. Richard in 2010 was supposed to be 100 miles an hour, but when we compare him with Earl this week, Richard was a boy masquerading as a man. Call me MISTER Earl.
Early in the history of this storm, we were minded of Greta, because we believe in projecting worst case scenarios in these matters. When who became Earl was a mere tropical wave of 40 miles an hour, the proverbial "area of disturbed weather" fooling around below Hispaniola in the Eastern Caribbean, a Greta prognosis was our worst case scenario. The thing was, even as an unnamed meteorological phenomenon, this storm always made it clear, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that its destination was Belize, and by the time anonymous became Earl, a named tropical storm, late Tuesday or early Wednesday, he was saying it loud: Belize City is what I want and where I am going.
1. SITUATION. Immediate relief to the affected people and restoration of critical lifeline facilities
2. PEOPLE IN SHELTER: 164. San Pedro and Caye Caulker has 9 persons in San Pedro High School; Belize City has 78 persons in Unity Presbyterian, St. John's Vianney, and St. Luke. In Cayo Teakettle has 16 persons in shelter; More tomorrow still has 15 persons; St. Matthews has 31 persons; and Cotton Tree has 15 persons.
3. FOOD/WATER RELIEF OPERATIONS. NEMO National Relief and Supplies Management Committee
(RSMC) through NEMO warehouses continue to distribute emergency food packs, tarps and plastic sheeting. BATSUB, BDF and UNICEF have been assisting people in the shelters. The Belize Red Cross, and USAID are supporting NEMO.
4. UTILITIES RESTORATION:
a. WATER. Rural Water Systems UPDATE: Santa Familia system is still down, emergency water relief is being organized for those in need. Harvesting of rainwater is always encouraged. Bullet Tree Falls water system is now working. Sand Hill water situation is being addressed by BEL. The water main that supplies Philip Goldson is now at normal pressure. Double Run main water system has electricity.
b. BWS - Belmopan and San Pedro are operating in low water pressure mode, as BWSL continues to repair leaks in those systems. Water systems in rural Belize District still lack electricity, therefore running on generators.
c. ELECTRICITY - BEL UPDATE. Today BEL concentrated on restoring power from Sand Hill to Maskall, Crooked Tree, Burrell Boom and surrounding communities; Boom road to Flowers Bank to Rancho and the remainder of caye caulker. There will be intermittent outages due to connections.
e. Telecommunications Speed net - In Belize City Channel 5 site is repaired, while the Renaissance tower site expected to be repaired by Sunday. Independence site that was damaged Tuesday due to thunderstorm has been restored. Hopkins, Big Falls, and San Pedro North sites are fully functional power supply issues were resolved today. Two towers near JB on George Price Highway is down and currently undergoing repairs.
f. BTL UPDATE - Customers in the following areas are experiencing little or no mobile voice or data service due to cell site outages (with estimated restoration times). Lucky Strike (Saturday, 6 pm). The cell site at Burrell Boom was completely destroyed. (August 16th uptime). Customers in the following areas are experienced limited or degraded services due to cell site outages. The cell site at Love FM was completely destroyed, therefore surrounding neighbourhoods may be affected (August 16th uptime). BTL is aware that there are a number of cut and hanging landlines impacting some customers and neighbourhoods. Actual numbers not available at this time.
g. Sufficient Fuel oil stocks available.
5. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Immediate humanitarian relief assessments are in their final stages. There are a few communities with gaps that are being addressed.
6. CLEAN UP: Clean up in the city under Councillor Willoughby and CEMO continues daily until early morning. More people are ask to clean up their area and use the free resources offered by the downed vegetation.
7. HOUSEHOLD AND MATERIAL RELIEF OPERATIONS to commence this week.
FLOOD OPERATIONS: People in the Belize District along the Belize River must take action as the flood waters are now swelling and expanding in the lower reaches of the Belize River Valley as it recedes in the Cayo District.
Areas of concern are:
In the Belize River Valley: Bomba, Maskall, St. Anns; Santana; Lucky Strike; Rockstone Pond and Boston Crooked Tree. Also of concern is St. Paul's Bank; Willows Bank; Rancho Dolores; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Flowers Bank; Lemonal; Burrel Boom; Lord's Bank; and Ladyville. There is obne and a half feet of water on the road in Isabela Bank. Scotland half-moon residents need to continue to move to safety; and in May Pen several families are cut off but okay. The Livestock holding facility near Double Head Cabbage is available to safeguard livestock. People living in La Democracia; coastal highway community; Gales Point; Mullins River; Gracie Rock; Hattieville; Freetown Sibun, and Butcher Burns are advised to take note. The Water is falling in Gracie and rising in Freetown Sibun.
Road conditions: On the road to Challilo, Vaqueros Bridge is becoming impassable to traffic. MOW assistance is urgently requested. Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry and Iguana Creek Bridge are impassable at this time. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is open. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River remains closed and is seriously damaged. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE. Calla Creek Hammock Bridge has been destroyed. The Roaring Creek Bridge also remains open. The Manatee (Coastal) road is flooded at the bridge coming from the George Price Highway, access is open from the Hope Creek junction. In Maskal the river is 2.5 ft., under the bridge. In Bomba the river is 3ft above normal and rising. People living in these flood prone areas are being strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher grounds to protect life. Seek shelter with families or friends or go to a community shelter. MOVE OUT of areas that are likely to flood. Protect life first. Stay away from flood waters. Farmers with livestock take the necessary actions and seek safety and move them to higher grounds. Do not: cross flood waters, especially at night.
AIDS TO NAVIGATION
Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution while navigating in the territorial waters of Belize. The Authority is currently working on restoring all Aids to Navigation in the channels which shifted due to Hurricane Earl.
HUMAN RESOURCES
NEMO Human Resource Management Committee continues to make the plea to those public officers who have not reported for duty in Belize City to show up. Your absence is causing a strain and fatigue on the dedicated Public Officers doing assessments, providing relief and managing the Shelter operations.
AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE IS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TO BELZE.
Listen to your local radio and television for further advisories from NEMO.
Hurricane Earl is gone, San Pedro is open for business!
Ambergris Caye, Belize: The Storm Has Passed and We Are Open For Business
Here are the facts:
the sun is shining
the water is clear
the island has water & electricity
all flights and water taxis are running
the community spirit is high
tours are going out and
the fishing is amazing (a post storm phenomena)…
If you have a trip planned (whether this week or in a month) or you are thinking of capitalizing on the low price summer fares to Belize, here are some things to consider…
�We are open for business and the best way to support our beloved island is to visit�– eat, go on tours, drink and have a great time.
Talk to your hotel. �There are a few that are closed for clean-up. �But most are open and ready. �(Not to trick you into coming to a help them clean or to sleep in a room full of sand, I mean READY)
If you have never been here, here is the list of 11 Things You MUST Do on Your First Visit to Ambergris Caye. �Today, three full days after Earl, �you can do 10/11 – Palapa Bar, the famous dock over the water, was very sadly washed away (though I know they will rebuild). �Almost all of the restaurants, bars, tours are up and ready to go.
The sharks are waiting for you.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Scoop
SITUATION. Immediate relief to the affected people and restoration of critical lifeline facilities continue as the country returns to normalcy less those severely impacted. NEMO and the Government providing assistance with help from the community. The Utility Companies operations are progressing at a steady pace enabling the country's recovery.
PEOPLE IN SHELTER: There are a total of 170 persons in Shelter as follows: 91 in Belize City: Unity Presbyterian has 16 persons, St. John's Vianney has 31 persons, and St. Luke has 44 persons. In Cayo: Teakettle has 16 persons in shelter and St. Matthews has 31 persons. There 28 persons in the Hattievile Community Centre recently built by US Southern Command. Orange Walk has 4 persons in one shelter in San Carlos.
FOOD/WATER RELIEF OPERATIONS. NEMO National Relief and Supplies Management Committee (RSMC) continues to mobilize reaching out to people in the affected communities with food, water, tarp/plastic sheeting, cleaning supplies, mattress etc. BATSUB, BDF and UNICEF have been assisting people in the shelters. The Belize Red Cross, and USAID are supporting NEMO with field operations. The Indian community in Belize provided lunch yesterday for the shelterees in Belize City.
UTILITIES RESTORATION: WATER - Rural Water Systems UPDATE: Billy White and Santa Familia system is still down, emergency water relief is being organized for those in need. Harvesting of rainwater is always encouraged. Crooked Tree, St. Anns, Santana and Corozalito water system have been restored back to normal. On the old northern highway a water truck will be providing water for those communitive in need.
BWS - San Pedro is currently experiencing low water pressure, as BWSL continues to repair leaks in the system
c. ELECTRICITY - BEL UPDAT Today BEL continues work in Belize Rural.
e. Telecommunications Speed net - The Renaissance tower site is expected to be repaired by
Sunday. Two towers near JB on George Price Highway is down and currently undergoing repairs.
f. BTL UPDATE - Customers in the following areas are experiencing little or no mobile voice or data service due to cell site outages (with estimated restoration times). Lucky Strike (Saturday, 6 pm). The cell site at Burrell Boom was completely destroye (August 16th uptime). Customers in the following areas are experiencing limited or degraded services due to cell site outages. The cell site at Love FM was completely destroyed, therefore surrounding neighbourhoods may be affected (August 16th uptime).
g.Sufficient Fuel oil stocks available.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Immediate humanitarian assessments and relief continue. CLEAN UP: Clean up in the city continues.
HOUSEHOLD AND HOUSING MATERIAL RELIEF to commence this week.
FLOOD OPERATIONS: People in the Belize District along the Belize River must continue to monitor the river.
Area of concern is Belize River Valley:
Road conditions: Vaqueros and Privassion Bridge is impassable to heavy equipment and big trucks. Small vehicles must exercise extreme caution whilst driving in this area.
Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry and Iguana Creek Bridge are impassable at this time. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is open. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River remains closed and is seriously damaged. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE. The Hammock Bridge in Calla Creek has been destroyed. Blue Creek road is open and passable vehicular traffic.
People living in these flood prone areas are being strongly encouraged to seek safety and move to higher grounds to protect life. MOVE OUT of areas that are likely to flood. Protect life first. Stay away from flood waters. Farmers with livestock take the necessary actions and seek safety and move them to higher grounds. Do not: cross flood waters, especially at night.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
NEMO Human Resource Management Committee continues to make the plea to those public officers who have not reported for duty in Belize City to show up. Your absence is causing a strain and fatigue on the dedicated Public Officers doing assessments, providing relief and managing the Shelter operations.
People in Belize City are hereby informed that if they have not yet been assessed by the assessment team, to kindly visit or call the Department of Human Services at #40 Regent Street Belize City, or call 227-7451. In the districts ensure your damage and loss information are submitted to NEMO office in the districts for verification.
Here are a few things to think about concerning hurricanes. The storm flows in a counter clockwise movement from the center. Roughly if you face the wind and stretch out your right arm that is the direction of the eye of the storm. What sailors call the dangerous quadrant is the quadrant to the left of the eye on the leading edge. This is because you will have the wind speed plus the speed that the storm is moving. The right side quadrant would have the wind speed minus the speed of the storm.
I'm not sure just how fast Earl was traveling when it came ashore but this has to be taken in consideration. San Pedro/Caye Caulker where in the dangerous quadrant. Also in this case the dangerous quadrant meant the wind was from the east or offshore which caused the water to rise higher than if San Pedro was South of the storm. When the eye of the storm was predicted to go in at Belize City I warmed some of my friends that the surge would be high compared to the velocity of the wind.
I'm not an expert on weather and I hope I remembered all this correctly. In the eighties I had to study weather and heavy weather tactics at sea when I was preparing for my Master's License. This is pretty basic so I think it is all correct.
Ragman, I think you explained it well. I think it was traveling still around 20 MPH when it hit. Could explain why it seemed much stronger than the official numbers.
1. PEOPLE IN SHELTER: There are a total of 170 persons in Shelter as follows: 91 in Belize City: Unity Presbyterian has 16 persons, St. John's Vianney has 31 persons, and St. Luke has 44 persons. In Cayo: Teakettle has 16 persons in shelter and St. Matthews has 31 persons. There 28 persons in the Hattievile Community Centre recently built by US Southern Command. Orange Walk has 4 persons in one shelter in San Carlos.
2. PEOPLE ASSISTED: approx. 1,580 household or about 8,000 people, as reported by the National Relief Supplies Committee/Ministry of Human Development. (1200 households assisted in Belize City proper: Belama, Vista Del Mar, Ladyville, Lords Bank and Sand Hill. Old Northern Highway communities: La Democracia, Gracie Rock, Hattieville, Western Pines and Freetown Sibun. 123 Households assisted in Stann Creek. 226 households in Belmopan and the surrounding communities. 23 households assisted in Orange Walk and 10 household in San Pedro & Caye Caulker). We are acting on information of people not captured in the assessments.
3. FOOD RELIEF: ISSUED: 4,716 food packs, 3,603 gallons of water, 2,300 gallons of Clorox, 946 mattresses and 284 rolls of plastic sheetings/tarps. NEMO National Relief and Supplies Management Committee (RSMC) continues to mobilize reaching out to people in the affected communities with food, water, tarp/plastic sheeting, cleaning supplies, mattress etc. BATSUB, BDF and UNICEF have been assisting people in the shelters. The Belize Red Cross, and USAID are supporting NEMO with field operations.
4. RESTORATION of UTILITIES: a. Belize water system is working. San Pedro continues to operate in low water pressure mode as BWSL continues to repair leaks in the system. Billy White and Santa Familia water have been restored. On the old northern highway a water truck will be providing water for those communities in need.
b. ELECTRICITY - BEL UPDATE. 99% of Customers have been restored. There are parts of Belize City still without power and in the Belize District along the Old Northern Highway from Altun Ha to Maskall and five villages in the Belize River Valley and parts of Hattieville.
c. Telecommunications Speed net - Burrel Boom cell site was completely destroyed. (August 16th uptime). The cell site at Love FM was completely destroyed, therefore surrounding neighbourhoods are being affected (August 16th uptime). Speed NET, the Renaissance tower site is being repaired. Two towers near JB on George Price High way are down and are currently undergoing repairs.
d. FUEL: Sufficient Fuel available.
5. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Immediate humanitarian assessments and relief assistance continue. Housing material relief operations very preliminary roll out is being planned for late Wednesday/Thursday morning. Everybody cannot receive assistance at the same time. Names submitted are being cross checked to prioritize the assistance roll out.
6. FLOOD OPERATIONS: People in the Belize District along the Belize River must continue to monitor the river. Area of concern is Belize River Valley.
7. Road conditions: Vaqueros and Privassion Bridge is impassable to heavy equipment and big trucks. Small vehicles must exercise extreme caution whilst driving in this area. Iguana Creek Bridge is currently is open and passable to vehicular traffic. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is open. Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry is impassable at this time. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River remains closed and is seriously damaged. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE. The Hammock Bridge in Calla Creek has been destroyed. Blue Creek road is open and passable vehicular traffic.
8. HUMAN RESOURCES: NEMO Human Resource Management Committee continues to make the plea to those public officers who have not reported for duty in Belize City to show up. Your absence is causing a strain and fatigue on the dedicated Public Officers doing assessments, providing relief and managing the Shelter operations. People in Belize City are hereby informed that if they have not yet been assessed by the assessment team, to kindly visit or call the Department of Human Services at #40 Regent Street Belize City, or call 227-7451. In the districts ensure your damage and loss information are submitted to NEMO office in the districts for verification.
AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE IS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TO BELIZE.
1. PEOPLE IN SHELTER: There are a total of 119 persons in Shelter as follows: 56 in Belize City: In Cayo: Teakettle has 15 persons in shelter and St. Matthews has 31 persons. There are 2 persons in the shelter at Gracie Rock. There are 11 persons in the Hattievile Community Centre. Orange Walk has 4 persons in one shelter in San Carlos.
2. PEOPLE ASSISTED: about 8,000 people, as reported by the National Relief Supplies Committee/Ministry of Human Development. We are acting on information of people not captured in the assessments.
3. FOOD RELIEF: continues, Supplies Management Committee (RSMC) continues to mobilize reaching out to people in the affected communities with food, water, tarp/plastic sheeting, cleaning supplies, mattress etc. BATSUB, BDF and UNICEF have been assisting people in the shelters. The Belize Red Cross is supporting NEMO with field operations. Pledges and donations coming in. NEMO National Foreign Assistance Committee chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs documenting the information.
4. RESTORATION of UTILITIES: almost completed in the main lifeline sectors
5. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Humanitarian assessments and relief assistance continues. Housing material relief operations with very preliminary roll out is being planned for Thursday morning for self-help cases. Names submitted are being cross checked by technical staff form Building sections of Housing, CBA and City Council to prioritize the roll out. Engineers support is required, volunteers may contact NEMO at 626 7127, 822 2054 and at [email protected].
6. Road conditions: Vaqueros and Privassion Bridge is impassable to heavy equipment and big trucks. Small vehicles must exercise extreme caution whilst driving in this area. Iguana Creek Bridge is open to traffic. The access route through Bullet Tree Falls village via the Bullet Tree Bridge is open. Spanish lookout via Baking Pot Ferry is impassable at this time. Succotz Ferry remains closed. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio across the Macal River remains closed and is seriously damaged. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THIS BRIDGE. The Hammock Bridge in Calla Creek has been destroyed.
People in Belize City are hereby informed that if they have not yet been assessed by the assessment team, to kindly visit or call the Department of Human Services at #40 Regent Street Belize City, or call 227-7451. In the districts ensure your damage and loss information are submitted to NEMO office in the districts for verification. Please report details such as size of zinc, type of roof material, size of doors, and windows even though it is being verified. So if you have yet been assessed when you are contacted please give details.
AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT THERE IS NO TROPICAL CYCLONE THREAT TO BELIZE.
A week ago, On August 3rd, Hurricane Earl made landfall in the country of Belize causing major damages in the
mainland and in the cayes of Belize. Fortunately, the damages were only of material items and not a loss of human lives was reported, which we are extremely grateful.
Ambergris Caye was one of the cayes majorly affected by this hurricane, since many piers washed ashore due to the high and powerful waves that came with the hurricane, and a few establishments had minor damages. The entire island of Ambergris Caye is now fully restored with the main utilities, which include,
electricity, water and telephone/internet.
Thanks to the unity of the entire community of San Pedro Town, we are all back in business and ready to cater to all our locals and visitors. Although many dive shops lost their piers, they did not lose their boats or their spirit to share with our friendly visitors the beauty of Belize. And let's not talk about the restaurants - they are fully equipped and ready to serve everyone with their exotic and exquisite Belizean cuisine.
On board Tropic Air Belize, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation and Area Representative of Belize Rural South along with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Mrs. Timrose Augustine of NEMO, members of the Coast Guard , Mr. Martinez of Belize Port Authority, Councilors Flora Ancona and Ruben Gonzalez and staff of the San Pedro Town Council, flew over both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye to make and aerial assessment of the damages caused by Hurricane Earl (Cat. 1). The overall damages that were observed were of docks/piers throughout the coastline of Ambergris Caye, North to South, as you may see on the pictures on this album.
Hurricane Earl causes over $10 million in damages on Ambergris Caye and Caulker Caulker
NEMO reports around $30,000 in damages to households in both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker were incurred. Along the eastern coast of Ambergris Caye, from the 252 docks that line the coast, 227 were affected, while 135 were totally destroyed. The assessment also includes several dive shops which were partially or totally destroyed due to the strong winds and surges caused by the hurricane. The grand total in damages is estimated at $11 million dollars. According to the report from NEMO, each dock is estimated to cost between $80,000 and $95,000 without any additional structures on them.
Meanwhile, on the neighbouring island of Caye Caulker, out of the 54 docks which also includes dive shops, a total of 49 were affected. The amount of docks completely destroyed amounted to 30, while the total figure in damages added up to $2.5 million.
Many of the families affected on Ambergris Caye are from the San Mateo subdivision, where several homes were heavily damaged.
Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun
REPORT from International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
Hurricane Earl made landfall on 4 August 2016, with wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, as estimated by the United States' National Hurricane Centre.
NEMO reported major infrastructural and building damage, forcing 170 people to seek shelter in collective centres in Belize City, Cayo and Orange Walk. In total, 10,355 people (2,071 families) were affected after Hurricane Earl ripped through Belize as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Wind scale. Belize City and Ladyville were the most affected areas; NEMO assigned these areas (periurban areas) to the National Society, which conducted detailed assessments following the disaster. Meanwhile, the government provided immediate relief to the affected people and communities.
The IFRC, on behalf of the Belize Red Cross Society would like to extend many thanks to all partners and donors for their generous contributions.