Travel Alert – U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize

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02 SEP 2020

Location:  Belize

Event:  HURRICANE ADVISORY UPDATE 3: TROPICAL STORM NANA

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 08:00 AM

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan will be closed tomorrow as Tropical Storm Nana is moving toward the coast of Belize.  On the forecast track, Nana will be moving near but north of the coast of Honduras and the Bay Islands this evening, and the center should make landfall on the coast of Belize tonight or early Thursday. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected before landfall, and Nana could become a hurricane by the time the center reaches the coast of Belize. Nana could bring hurricane conditions and dangerous storm surge tonight to portions of the coast of Belize.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of Belize from Belize City southward to the Belize-Guatemala border. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the coast of Belize north of Belize city to the Belize-Mexico Border. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LANDWIND:  Tropical Storm conditions are expected within the warning area in Belize by tonight, with hurricane conditions likely over a portion of the area tonight and early Thursday.  STORM SURGE:  A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast near and to the north of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

RAINFALL:  Heavy rainfall with isolated maximum amounts as high as 8 to 12 inches could result in flash flooding in Belize, Guatemala, and portions of southeastern Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula.

SURF:  Swells generated by Nana will spread along the coasts of Honduras and Belize today and tonight. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Additional information on this system can be found at the Belize National Emergency Management Organization NEMO, or the High Seas Forecasts issued by the National Weather Service, or the The National Hurricane Center.

If the need arises for you to evacuate, be prepared to move early, know which shelter you will go to, take along the essential necessities you need to survive. COVID-19 Shelter Protocols and SI-119 of 2020 will continue to be enforced. You must wear a mask, people showing symptoms will be contained in a separate section of the shelter building, hand washing, and sanitizing must be done before entering a shelter. Shelter Wardens and Managers will allocate shelter space. Social distancing must be adhered to and shelters must be sanitized on a regular basis and garbage properly disposed. Please Note: Pets are not allowed in shelters, make alternate plans for your pets.

Preparedness tips before a storm arrival:

  • Avoid being near the coast, or swamp, if you live on the cayes and along the coast be familiar with the evacuation routes. Know which shelter you will go to.
  • Protect windows with plywood or shutters
  • Review your family emergency plan, consider all COVID 19 measures
  • Keep handy, emergency supplies such as first aid kit, basic tools, lanterns, batteries, flashlights, and non-perishable foods and water.
  • Plan for one (1) gallon of drinking water per person per day.
  • Prepare your car in case of an evacuation. Fill your tank, and service check your vehicle.
  • Keep an extra supply of medication.
    • If a member of your household is bed-ridden, seek medical advice.
    • Notify authorities ahead of time if you have persons in your neighborhood that may require special assistance to evacuate due to a medical condition.
  • Secure your important documents and identification in waterproof containers, and electronically.
  • Save the emergency contact numbers for the U.S. Embassy (see Assistance below), NEMO, the police, fire, and medical facility in your cell phone.
  • Continue to trim trees, clear drains, and secure outdoor items.

Stay tuned for an official release from NEMO and the National Meteorological Service for further developments. The public is advised to stay alert. Please adhere to the official release from the National Meteorological Service and NEMO. NEMO will keep the general public updated.

Note: The elderly and persons with underlying health conditions must not occupy the same space with normal persons. Shelter managers will monitor and correct hygiene and cough /sneeze etiquette. The Ministry of Health staff will conduct daily monitoring of shelters to detect people who are sick and showing signs of COVID-19. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.

NEMO’s Emergency Coordinators can be reached as follows:    

Corozal: Mr. Ronnie Hernandez at 614-7140
Orange Walk: Mr. Aragon at 615 2264; or Mr. Leiva at 614-7177
Belize District: Mr. Alphius Gillett at 614-4735; or Mr. Pollard at 614-3244
San Pedro: Ms. Vanessa Parham at 614-5865
Belize City: Mr. Al Westby at 614-8604 or Mr. Kwame Scott at 615-7644
Belmopan:  Ms. Clare Moody at 614-5705; or Mr. Eiley at 624-2365
Cayo: Mr. Al Westby at 614-8604 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 614-5891
Stann Creek –Coastal- Dangriga including Mullins River to Independence), Mr. Kevin Flores at 604-3632
Stann Creek –Interior- Hummingbird and Southern highway communities, Mr. David Cruz at 614-8514
Toledo: Mr. Kenton Parham at 614 2158 or Mr. Dennis Williams at 614-2393

NEMO will keep the general public updated on any further developments. The public is advised to stay alert. Please adhere to the official release from the National Meteorological Service and NEMO.

Actions to Take:

Assistance:

By | 2 September, 2020 | Topics: Alert

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