The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in collaboration with the National Meteorological Service hereby informs the general public that the strong Tropical Wave in the west-central Caribbean Sea has an 80% chance of becoming a Tropical Depression or a Tropical Storm over night. The system with maximum sustained winds near 35mph is moving to the West-North-West at 12mph. The current position is near 15.6 North Latitude and 82.0 West Longitude or some 90 miles East-North-East of Cabo Gracias a Dios, off the Nicaraguan/Honduras border. The center of the potential Tropical Storm is forecasted to make landfall sometime between Belize and Mexico border on Monday or Tuesday morning of this week. The forecast is for heavy rainfall over Belize which is likely to cause flash floods. We can expect as much 6 inches of rainfall with possible higher amounts of up to 12 inches, gusty winds, and severe thunderstorms late Monday evening into Tuesday morning.
A Tropical Storm WATCH is being issued, as a precaution, for the potential Tropical Storm. The area of the watch includes the Belize District, Belize City, the cayes, and parts of the Orange Walk and Corozal districts.
• The general public is advised to make necessary arrangements to protect life and property. If you are at risk to bad weather conditions and flooding be prepared to move to a shelter or higher grounds, with family or friends. At risk families, the elderly, women, children are encouraged to voluntarily move away from the coast to weather the storm in a safe, dry place. Check up on family members and neighbours who are in need of assistance. Do not wait until it’s too late to take action.
• Fishers, seagoing members of the public and people on the cayes are encouraged to take the necessary actions to protect life and property.
• Farmers are encouraged to attend to their crops and animals to reduce losses.
• When it is raining, drivers are urged to drive with extreme caution to avoid accidents due to slippery road conditions.
NEMO emergency coordinators can be reached as follows:
i. Corozal, Mr. Williard Levy at 623 0237;
ii. Orange Walk, Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605 5046, or Mr. Aragon at 636 6094;
iii. Belize District, Mr. Lionel Tillett at 6154834 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621 2275;
iv. San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 632 3698;
v. Belize City, Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600 8672, or Councillor Willoughby (BZCC) at 6309793
vi. Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 630 9791;
vii. Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 630 3224 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 625 2526;
viii. Stann Creek, Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 615 9711; and
ix. Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 630 9787.
x. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.
The public is asked to pay attention to the official reports and advisories from the National Meteorological Service and NEMO as we continue to report on the potential Tropical Storm.
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