BELIZE CITY–The 8th named storm of the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane season made landfall south of Belize this afternoon, in Honduras, and while the storm does not pose a direct threat to Belize, it is expected to trigger heavy rainfall and squally conditions, according to an alert today from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
In its first advisory on Tropical Storm Hanna, which has been downgraded to a tropical depression after it made landfall in Honduras at 2:00 p.m. today, Monday, October 27, 2014, NEMO says that the proximity of the tropical system will cause showers and thunderstorms around the country during the next 24 to 36 hours.
“The Rio Hondo and Mopan Rivers are rising slowly. The low-lying bridge and the Iguana Creek bridge on the Macal River are at flood state. Both the Baking Pot and Succotz ferries remain closed,” NEMO reports.
Chief Meteorological Officer, Dennis Gonguez, told Amandala that the showers off north Honduras will head over this way, and the system could induce between 2 to 4 inches of rainfall over Belize, mostly from Central Belize to the southern part of the country. This could result in localized flooding over the south, so people living in flood-prone areas in that part of the country should be on the alert, Gonguez said.
He said gusty winds will accompany the rains and so a small craft caution should be in effect. The rains from that system should begin later tonight and continue through to Wednesday.
NEMO says that its staff and the National, City, and District Emergency Committees are on full alert. NEMO Emergency Coordinators and their contact numbers are as follows: Corozal – Mr. Williard Levy at 623-0237; Orange Walk – Ms. Suliema Celiz at 605-5046; Northern Regional Coordinator – Mr. Aragon at 636-6094; Belize District – Mr. Calbert Budd at 602-8632 and Mr. Kevin Pollard at 621-2275; San Pedro – Ms. Timrose Augustine at 600-8672; Belmopan – Ms. Clare Moody at 630-9791; Cayo – Mr. Al Westby at 630-3224; Stann Creek – Mr. Victor Castillo at 630-9780; Toledo – Mr. Kenton Parham at 630-9787; and the Southern Regional Coordinator – Mr. Keith Emmanuel at 630-9711. The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.