PR | As of 10:00 a.m. MST today, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is reporting all key tourism destinations are in good shape following the passing of Hurricane Richard. The eye of Hurricane Richard reportedly made landfall around 7:45 pm MST on Sunday along the coast of Belize, roughly 20 miles south-southwest of Belize City. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 90 mph.
As of this morning, the Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) gave clearance for all in-country transportation services to resume operation, and the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize City has reopened, allowing all airline carriers to resume flights in to Belize. While NEMO posted its last official report online at 7:20 p.m. MST on Sunday, the BTB has learned major tourist destinations including San Pedro and Caye Caulker have electricity and running water, and are in good condition. Destinations like Placencia, Punta Gorda and Hopkins are reportedly in good shape, however, electricity has not yet been restored.
While damage assessments are still underway, early reports indicate the areas primarily affected by Hurricane Richard are in and around Belize City. Richard’s overall impact in Belize City includes flooding, power outages and downed trees. Any additional information regarding Hurricane Richard can be found through NEMO’s website, www.nemo.org.bz or by calling the emergency line at (501) 822-0153.
Those attempting to reach family members or loved ones vacationing in Belize may experience some communication delays with e-mail and phone. However, the public is encouraged to visit the BTB’s emergency online site, www.belizeemergency.net, for the latest updates and information regarding any and all restoration efforts.
PR | October 25, 2010 – BEL – Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that the Company conducted a damage assessment earlier today and has commenced restoration works to provide power supply to areas affected by power outages since the passage of Hurricane Richard on Sunday.
The hurricane caused downed power lines and damaged utility poles in several parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts. Employees are working diligently to restore power as soon as possible with top priority placed on restoration to critical services such as hospitals.
As part of the restoration works, BEL work crews are thoroughly inspecting distribution power lines as well as service connections to customers’ homes and businesses to ensure that it is safe to energize each community. BEL must ensure that these issues are addressed before energizing power systems in various communities because live wires lying in water presents a critical safety hazard to the public.
Customers along the Western Highway from La Democracia to Blackman Eddy may not have power restored until Tuesday due to extensively damaged transmission lines. (more…)
General Situation: Tropical Storm Richard threatens Belize. A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for the country. Weather conditions will deteriorate tonight as the storm approaches. 24hr Forecast: Sunny with cloudy spells today with showers along coastal areas, becoming overcast tonight with outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms over most areas. Winds: Northeast at 10 to 20 knots. Sea State: Choppy/Moderate. Outlook: Through Monday: Frequent outbreaks of showers, thunderstorms and high wind. Highs: 31°C/87°F Lows: 23°C/73°F.
Tropical Weather Outlook: At 3:00am Tropical Storm Richard was centered near 15.8N Lat, 83.2W Long or 55mls north of Cabo Gracias A Dios on the Nicaragua / Honduras Border. Maximum sustained winds were 45mph. Strengthening is forecast and Richard could be near forecast strength on Sunday. Movement was towards the west at 8mph and Richard could approach the coast of Belize and Southeastern Mexico late on Sunday. Hurricane conditions are possible along the coasts of Belize and southeastern Mexico by late Sunday. Heed to all warnings issued by The National Meteorological Service and NEMO.
Predictions/Comments from Crown Weather / 4 am Belize time / Saturday
Richard continues to have a difficult time get its act together due to the combination of dry and higher shear just to the north. The low-level center seems to be disjointed from the mid-level center and this is why you are not seeing a rapid ramp up that had been forecast. Richard is forecast to track to the west or west-northwest and may actually track along the northern coast of Honduras. In fact, it is entirely possible for Richard to move completely inland over Honduras before it reaches Belize. All of the track model guidance have shifted to the south and a majority of the model guidance forecasts that Richard will dissipate before it reaches the southern Gulf of Mexico. So, a track near or even over the northern coast of Honduras now seems likely today through tonight with a track into southern Belize becoming more likely by Sunday night.
As I have already mentioned, shear and dry air have been causing Richard to not strengthen at all. Even though the global models forecast more favorable environmental conditions over the next day or two, possible land interaction with Honduras may put a cap on this and it is not out of the question that Richard may not make it to hurricane strength, although all interests in Belize should prepare for hurricane conditions anyways, just in case this ramps up just before landfall and remains offshore of Honduras.
NEMO | At 6:00 p.m. the center of the Tropical Storm Richard was located near Latitude 15.8 North, Longitude 82.3West. The Storm is moving towards the West at 5 miles per hour. Maximum sustained winds remain near 45 miles per hour with higher gusts.
People on the Cayes and along the coast who need to move are advised to do so early. Fisher folks are advised to stay alert and listen for the marine advisories. People who are evacuating to shelters are advised to do so early and take three days’ supply of dry and or canned food.
People who have livestock’s in low lying areas that are flood prone should move them to higher ground. Farmers in flood prone areas who have crops out in the fields that are close to harvesting should consider harvesting as soon as possible.
Stay tune to your radio and television over the weekend and if you have to take the following actions do so promptly:
If you were planning to go to the Cayes and along the Coast this weekend you are advised to cancel your trip
If you are at Sea seek safe harbour
If you have to evacuate do so early. If you are going to Shelter take along those things you will need. Your life is the most important possession.
Review and be prepared to put your emergency / Hurricane Plan into action
If you live in an area that will flood take seriously the advice from NEMO and the Met Office and be prepared to quickly move your family and belongings to safety. Belongings include assets, property, animals and crops.
All Tropical Storms and Hurricane are not the same take this advisory seriously.
Remember stay tune to your radio and television over the weekend!
Public Officers are being asked to remain alert and be ready for deployment. All government vehicles must be fueled and parked at the Ministry of Works compound in their respective district. The Preliminary Phase and a Tropical Storm Watch is still in effect. Please contact your NEMO District Emergency Operation Center for local information. NEMO remains on ‘HIGH ALERT’ as it continues to monitor Tropical Storm Richard.
General Situation: Fair conditions prevailing over the country. Tropical Storm Richard meanders over the NW Caribbean. 24hr Forecast: Sunny with cloudy spells today and partially cloudy tonight. A few Isolated showers will occur, main in the south. Winds: North to Northeast at 5 to 15 knots. Sea State: Choppy. Outlook: Through Sunday: Showers and thunderstorms gradually increase Saturday and Saturday night. Highs: 31°C/87°F Lows: 23°C/73°F.
Tropical Weather Outlook: At 6:00am Tropical Storm Richard was centered near 15.9N 80.7W or about 175 miles ENE of Cape Gracias A Dios on the on the Honduras Nicaragua border. Richard is stationary. Maximum sustained winds were 40 mph. Strengthening is forecast and Richard could become a hurricane over the weekend.
7 News Belize | October storms are notoriously unpredictable and fierce; the names Hattie and Mitch come readily to mind…. And now we may have another such storm. Tonight tropical storm Richard is hovering in the Caribbean sea 527 miles south east of Belize in the Caribbean sea, and the truth is, right now no one knows what he will do in the coming days.
So even though we have been spared so far this season by Tropical Storms Alex, Karl and Matthew- this one is a very real threat. According to the weatherman there are strong indications of it becoming a hurricane by Saturday. What does this mean for Belize? And should we be getting prepare to weather another storm over the weekend? Today Seven News took a visit to the met office to get some answers.
Dennis Gonguez, Chief Meteorologist
“Last night at 9 pm the 19th tropical depression form for this season and that was located about 160 miles south of the Cayman Islands. By 9 am this morning it had intensified and became this 17th tropical storm of this season and name Richard. Presently it’s about 525 miles east south east of Belize City and at 9 o’ clock it was specifically located at latitude 16.2 north 80.4 west. Maximum sustain winds of 40 miles per hour and it was moving towards the south east at 6 miles per hour. Presently it is moving towards the southeast but its forecast to take a more southerly track and eventually a more north westerly track. That puts us pretty much in its path over this weekend. The first indications are that the storm will travel toward the north of Belize but then again those forecasts can change with each update. One of the issues with this system is that presently the way its behaving is as though it adjusting itself and pointing directly at us. Indications are that it will be a hurricane by Saturday morning off the northeast tip of Honduras. So the season isn’t over we still have a long ways to go so we should remain vigilant and be prepared for any eventuality.” (more…)
General Situation: Fair and mostly dry weather prevails. Tropical Depression 19 has formed over the NW Caribbean. 24hr Forecast: Sunny skies today with some cloudy spells. Partially cloudy tonight and cool. A few Isolated showers will occur. Winds: North to Northwest at 5 to 15 knots. Sea State: Choppy. Outlook: Through Saturday: Partially cloudy with isolated showers. Highs: 31°C/87°F Lows: 22°C/72°F.
Tropical Weather Outlook: At 3:00 am Tropical Depression #19 was centered near Lat 17.0N and Long 80.7W or about 260mls south southeast of Grand Cayman. TD #19 moving southeast at 3mph with max sustained winds of 35mph. Some Strengthening is forecast and TD#19 is expected to become Tropical Storm Later today. Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin tropical cyclone formation is not expected through the next 48hrs.
General Situation: An area of low pressure over the Northwest Caribbean sea remains relatively stationary. 24hr Forecast: Sunny with some cloudy spells today and tonight. A few Isolated showers will occur. Winds: North to Northwest at 5 to 15 knots. Sea State: Light Chop/Choppy. Outlook: Through Friday: Partially cloudy with isolated showers. Highs: 31°C/87°F Lows: 22°C/72°F.
Tropical Weather Outlook: Showers and thunderstorms, in association with an area of low pressure centered about 150miles southwest of Grand Cayman, have increased during the past few hours. Upper level winds are favorable for development, and this system could become a tropical depression as it drifts eastward.
