Belmopan. September 3, 2020. 12:30 a.m.
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advise that Hurricane Nana has made landfall just a few miles South of Hopkins in the Stann Creek District. As of 12am local time, the storm was located near latitude 16.8N, longitude 88.3W or about 13 miles South-Southwest of Dangriga Town and 50 miles South of Belize City. This position is also about 60 miles North-Northeast of Punta Gorda Town. Nana was moving to the west-southwest at 16mph with maximum sustained winds of 75mph and minimum central pressure of 995mb. Nana is forecast to continue moving west to west-southwestward across Belize and into Guatemala today. Rapid weakening is expected as the storm moves further inland. Communities near the center of the system will continue experiencing hurricane conditions for a few more hours while those communities within a 70 miles radius, especially north of the center, will continue experiencing tropical storm conditions through early this morning.
As the system moves inland rainfall totals of 4-8 inches with isolated amounts of 10 inches are expected over southern and central Belize. This will likely result in flash flooding and possible landslides. A storm surge of around 1 to 3 feet could have occurred close to where the system made landfall which will recede shortly. The NMS of Belize will continue to monitor the system and update NEMO and the general public accordingly.
All are asked to stay indoors as heavy rainfall and wind effects are being felt in the Stann Creek District and other parts of the country, stay indoors, remain in your shelter. There is no electrical power in Dangriga. The next Advisory NEMO will declare the ALL CLEAR, which is signaled by one green flag. This means that the hurricane is no longer over Belize but the damages on the ground are not yet known. A hurricane warning remains in effect from Belize City and southern Belize.
- Remain indoor when the eye of the storm is over your area. It may seem like the storm is over but winds may change direction and quickly return to hurricane force. DO NOT go outside until an all clear is issued by authorities.
- After a hurricane, drink boiled or treated water when in doubt of the water quality. Fill sinks, bathtub and large containers with water as an extra supply for washing and flushing.
- Stay out of flood waters and disaster areas as the water might be contaminated or electrically charged. Turn off your electrical switch box if your home will flood. Keep non-emergency calls to a minimum to free up network capacity for those in need and for emergency first responders. Watch out for snakes and wild animals.
- During the storm, stay secured indoors away from windows. Use flashlights, DO NOT USE CANDLES.
Shelters, the number of people in shelter is 4085, total broken down as follows CZL:10, BZC: 319, SP: 57, RURAL CENTRAL: 49, CC:1, CYO:235, DANG: 980, BMP surrounding villages: 355, and TOL: 2079. All shelterees must keep on their masks, practice social distance, clean their hands regularly and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
Stay tuned for and adhere to the official release from NEMO and the National Met Service and stay alert. All who needed to relocate or are in a shelter should now be hunkering down and weathering the storm. COVID -19 curfew is still in effect.
