Belmopan. September 2, 2020. 6:30 p.m.
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advise that as of 6 pm local time, Tropical Storm Nana was located near latitude 17.0N, longitude 86.8W or about 94 miles East of Dangriga and 100 miles East-Southeast of Belize City. This position is also about 100 miles Southeast of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 142 miles Southeast of Corozal Town, and 147 miles East-Northeast of Punta Gorda Town. Nana was moving to the west at 15mph with maximum sustained winds of 60mph and minimum central pressure of 994mb. Some strengthening is still possible before landfall and Nana could become a hurricane later tonight before it reaches the coast. Nana is forecast to continue moving west then a westward to west-southwestward motion is expected tonight and tomorrow.
On this track, Nana is expected to make landfall between midnight and 6am Thursday morning over southern Belize as a category one hurricane. Residents especially those southward of Belize City should be prepared for category 1 hurricane force winds between 74 and 95 mph. This system could also produce rainfall of 3-6 inches with isolated amounts of 8 inches over southern and central Belize which could lead to flash flooding and possible landslides. Residents along coastal areas near the area of landfall should be on the alert for the possibility of a storm surge of up to 2-4 feet.
Ambergris and Caye Caulker, Belize City, Hattieville, Gracie Rock, Democracia, Gales Point, Mullins River, Dangriga, Hopkins, Riversdale, Placencia, Santa Rosa, San Roman, Georgetown, Maya Mopan, Red Bank, and San Pablo are in the path of the now better defined forecasted track and can expect to experience strong winds in the next 2 to 4 hours, some areas less than others not excluding Belmopan and other parts of the Belize and Cayo districts but to a lesser extent.
Shelters are open around the country. All shelters must wear a mask, practice social distance, clean hands regularly and practice good cough and sneeze etiquette.
We are asking people not to panic, stay calm, don’t listen to rumours. 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.
