Weather Alert – U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
November 5, 2020
Location: Belize
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and NEMO hereby inform the general public that the current weather conditions could persist for the next 36 to 72 hours as tropical depression Eta moves across Honduras and parts of Guatemala.
NЕМО advises thаt соmmunіtіеѕ аlоng thе Масаl, Мораn аnd Веlіzе Rіvеrѕ bе оn hіgh аlеrt аnd tаkе асtіоn tо ѕаvе lіves аnd secure рrореrtу. Аrеаѕ аnd/оr соmmunіtіеѕ thаt аrе аt rіѕk tо оr аrе ехреrіеnсіng flооdіng аrе Gаlеѕ Роіnt, Мullіnѕ Rіvеr Vіllаgе, Норе Сrееk, Ѕаrаwее, Ѕіttее Rіvеr, Моnkеу Rіvеr, Веllа Vіѕtа, Ѕаn Реdrо Соlоmbіа, Віg Fаllѕ, Ѕаntа Теrеѕа, Вluе Сrееk, Ѕаn Веnіtо Роіtе, Сrіquе Ѕаrсо, Ѕundауwооd, аnd Соnејо Сrееk. Моrе соmmunіtіеѕ may ехреrіеnсе flооdіng аѕ wаtеr runnіng оff mоuntаіnѕ аnd hіllѕ increase. If уоu lіvе аlоng rіvеrѕ аnd ѕtrеаmѕ, please consider rеlосаting tо hіghеr grоundѕ immediately. NЕМО wаrnѕ that you not rеmаіn аt уоur hоmе tоnіght іf уоu knоw іt іѕ lіkеlу tо flооd durіng thе соurѕе оf thе nіght. Еvеrуоnе іѕ urgеd tо mоvе tо а ѕаfе lосаtіоn. Іf уоu саn ѕhеltеr іn уоur hоmе, рlасе fооd аnd vаluаblе іtеmѕ оut оf thе rеасh оf flооdwаtеrs. Fаrmеrѕ аrе rеmіndеd tо ѕесurе thеіr аѕѕеtѕ. Please do not wait until the last minute. Take swift and appropriate action to ensure your safety. Іf уоur hоmе іѕ lіkеlу tо flооd, turn оff thе mаіn роwеr ѕuррlу.
A flood warning continues to be in effect for Cayo, Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo districts. More communities will experience flooding there as an increase in water running off the mountains and hills. The Macal and Mopan rivers are at major flood stage. All residents are advised to relocate to higher grounds. People living downstream and alongside the Belize River are strongly advised to take appropriate and prompt action. Please remain vigilant.
While the need for evacuation is unlikely, if the need arises for you to evacuate, be prepared to move early. Know which shelter you will go to and have a go-bag with essentials such as medications and documentation. COVID-19 Shelter Protocols 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 distance must be adhered to and shelters must be sanitized on a regular basis and garbage properly disposed.
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 Belize National Emergency Management Organization (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;
San Pedro: Ms. Vanessa Parham at 614-5865;
Belize City: Mr. Al Westby at 614-8604 or Mr. Pollard at 614-3244;
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; and for
Toledo: Mr. Kenton Parham at 614 2158 or Mr. Dennis Williams at 614-2393
If evacuation becomes necessary, the National Evacuation Committee will notify the public accordingly. NEMO will keep the general public updated on any further developments. The public is advised to stay alert. Please adhere to any official releases from the National Meteorological Service and NEMO.
Actions to Take:
- Avoid travel to the cayes until the storm has dissipated.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Notify friends and family of your safety.
- Make contingency plans to leave.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Have travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
- Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport
- Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Seek secure shelter.
- Visit the NEMO (http://site.nemo.org.bz/) and NOAA (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/warnings.php) for updated storm tracking information.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
+501-822-4011
acsbelize@state.gov
https://bz.usembassy.gov/
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Belize Country Specific Information.
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