Widespread flooding is tonight’s top story, after torrential overnight rains drenched communities across Belize, from the south straight through the central region. By morning, roads were cut off, homes surrounded, and in one dramatic moment, a bus was actually swept off the highway by fast-moving floodwaters. Meteorological data shows some areas saw intense rainfall in less than twenty-four hours, overwhelming drains and pushing rivers and creeks to dangerous levels. And there’s little relief in sight. Forecasters say more rain is coming, with northern Belize now on alert for worsening conditions. Emergency officials are urging residents to stay prepared as crews monitor rising waters, and the situation continues to unfold. We begin our coverage with a report from Paul Lopez.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Residents in southern and central Belize woke up to chaos this morning; flash floods turned roads into rivers, left major highways impassable, and in one shocking scene, a bus was swept clear off the roadway by rushing water.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist
“Our automatic weather station network are reporting that the peak was at Middle Sex, they recorded in excess of eight inches of rainfall. That was as of six yesterday to present moment. That is a lot of rainfall in less than twenty-four hours. Another notable location is Kendal which recorded about seven inches of rainfall, and then La Democracia we had about four inches, four or five inches. So heavy rainfall in the central and northern part in the past eighteen hours or so.”
According to Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, more rains are expected overnight.
Ronald Gordon
“We do expect another down pour tonight again, into tomorrow morning, early and the areas that will be most impacted are central Belize, with a focus to the north. So, people up north need to begin preparing because we expect four to six inches of rainfall within the next twenty-four hours, for potential of up to eight inches.”
With up to eight inches of rain expected overnight in northern Belize, Principal Hydrologist Tennielle Hendy is urging residents to stay alert and get prepared.
Tennielle Hendy
Tennielle Hendy, Principal Hydrologist
“Looking at the new updates we have, we see that area advancing to most of the country, and aligning with Chief Met in terms of the precipitation moving into the north. We also see very high protentional for flooding in the north, mainly link to localized flooding or urban flooding, associated with excessive rainfall. So, quite literally the entire country has to be on call from what we are seeing, especially those in the central areas and the south. Recall that we have these hills. When the rainfall hit those features in the environment they tend to flow rather quickly down the slope and into the lower lying areas.”
Authorities at NEMO are now on full alert. National Emergency Coordinator, Daniel Mendez says teams across the country are prepared to respond to calls for emergency assistance.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“We have been monitoring, along with the Met Service and the hydrology service, the rainfall. So, what we have been noticing is that there have been a few incidents in the Stann Creek District. Our Stann Creek coordinators have been out assisting in that regard. There is always a potential for further activation of the system. But at this point there has not been the need. As the information comes in, the rest of the country remains on the alert. So, all our offices are aware and have been making communications with the different components of the system. If there is a need for us to activate the system, it will be done so quickly.”
Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon confirmed that the rains are associated with a Tropical Storm Christina which has now dissipated in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here:
