Location: Belize
Event: Possible Tropical Storm for Northern Belize and Yucatan Peninsula
Friday October 2, 2020 at 08:00 am
Satellite imagery indicates that shower activity associated with the broad low pressure area over the northwestern Caribbean Sea continues to become better organized. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for a tropical depression or a tropical storm to form later today or on Saturday if the system remains over the waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea or the southern Gulf of Mexico. Interests in the Yucatan Peninsula and northern Central America should monitor the progress of this system while it moves generally northwestward, as tropical storm watches or warnings may be required for portions of these areas later today or tonight.
Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rains, with possible flash flooding, over portions of southeastern Mexico, Central America, and western Cuba during the next several days.
The public is advised to remain vigilant and to be prepared for possible storm landfall over the weekend. 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, take along the essential necessities you need to survive. 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:
- Visit the U.S. National Hurricane Center for weather outlook updates in the region
- Visit State.Gov for hurricane preparedness information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts
- Consult the CDC website for hurricane preparedness information.
- Consult the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website for hurricane preparedness information.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo, Belize
+501 822-4011
ConsulBelize@state.gov or ACSBelize@state.gov
https://bz.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Belize Country Information
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
