Belmopan. September 3, 2020. 6:00 a.m.
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advise that Nana made landfall between Dangriga and Placencia, near Hopkins and Sittee River communities between 11:45 pm and 4:00 am on the Thursday, 3rd September, 2020. It has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm as it moves further inland over Belize. Nana was moving to the west-southwest at 15mph with maximum sustained winds of 70mph and minimum central pressure of 997mb. Nana is forecast to continue moving west-southwestward across Belize and into Guatemala today. Rapid weakening is expected as the storm moves further inland. As the system moves inland, rainfall totals of 2-4 inches with isolated amounts of 6 inches are possible over southern and central Belize. This will likely result in flash flooding and possible landslides. The “ALL CLEAR” 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. There are no reports of causalities and or major injuries. The extent of damages and losses at this time is not known.
NEMO hereby lifts all Tropical Cyclone Warning over the country. The “All Clear” is issued for Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, and Stann Creek districts only. If you were under a tropical cyclone warning DO NOT go outside until an all clear is issued by authorities. There is no electricity in PORTIONS OF THE STANN CREEK DISTRICT. The Ministry of Works (MOW), Ministry of Health (MOH), BDF, Police Department, and the utility companies have authority to deploy throughout the country to commence addressing areas of concern. Debris from a Hurricane is very dangerous, all advised to take extreme caution. It is not recommended to walk through areas affected without it first being cleared by the Ministry of Works or the town council. Road clearance is a priority. Search and Rescue and Damage Assessment operations are being planned as required.
After a hurricane, drink boiled or treated water when in doubt of the water quality. 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. Watch out for snakes and wild animals. Be prepared for flooding. The last recorded 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.
The Ministry of Works (MOW), Ministry of Health (MOH), BDF, Police, and the utility companies are commended, including the public officers and the senior leaders in government and the National Met Service staff. Stay tuned for and adhere to the official releases from NEMO and the National Met Service and stay alert.
