In an active hurricane season, in which Belize has already been struck by two tropical storms, Alex in June (which made landfall just north of Belize City) and Karl just last week (brushing by the Corozal District), both of which later became hurricanes, the fifteenth named storm of the season could be heading our way this weekend.
Tropical Storm Matthew, formally upgraded from depression status at 3:00 this afternoon, formed from an area of disturbed weather in the south-central Caribbean near the Nicaragua/Honduras border, similar to Alex.
As of 9:00 this evening, according to the National Meteorological Service, Matthew was located 335 miles east of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, at 14.0° North latitude and 78.4° West longitude.
Maximum winds are currently estimated at 45 miles per hour with higher gusts, and the storm is moving west at 17 miles per hour, but according to the NMS, the storm is expected to strengthen and take a more west-northwesterly track toward the Belize area by Saturday, possibly reaching hurricane status by then. The current projected path takes the storm near the tip of Honduras by Saturday morning and along the Belize coast by Sunday.
Forecaster Derrick Rudon told Amandala this evening with regard to the four-flag hurricane preparation system and possible tropical storm watches and warnings: “We don’t have any watches and warnings posted yet…we should be at preliminary stage by tomorrow, once Matthew crosses 80° West.”
At press time a hurricane warning is in effect from Puerto Cabezas to Limon, Honduras, and a tropical storm warning is in effect from Limon to the Guatemala/Honduras border.
Showers are expected to increase tonight and tomorrow, Friday, across the country, and assuming Matthew keeps on its projected track, conditions are expected to deteriorate to hurricane level by Saturday.
According to Rudon, Matthew appears to be a regular-sized storm, neither too large nor too small. However, it is in an area of the Caribbean with warm waters conducive to development, meaning that it could rapidly strengthen and present major problems.
Rudon’s advice to Belizeans is – “Keep abreast of what is going on; stay tuned to your radio and television for updates from us, NEMO (the National Emergency Management Organization), watch the Weather Channel.”
The Ministry of Education has officially announced that classes for all schools have been canceled for tomorrow due to the impending storm. The University of Belize has also canceled classes for Saturday, September 25.
NEMO advised this evening that mariners should seek shelter and travel to the cayes is being discouraged due to rough sea conditions. Also, residents living in flood-prone areas are being asked to evacuate early.
NEMO expects to issue a tropical storm watch and declare preliminary phase by 6:00 a.m. Friday. Also at that time, designated shelters and evacuation pickup points will be announced.
Public officers are also being asked to stay on standby for deployment for emergency duties and park all government vehicles at the local Ministry of Works compound.