BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 2, 2020– The National Meteorological Service of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) announced today, Monday, that Hurricane Eta, which just yesterday, Sunday, had been categorized as a tropical storm, has now become a Category 3 hurricane after intensifying in strength overnight.
The release stated that, “The storm is moving to the west at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph with a minimum central pressure of 957 millibars,” and that the storm “is forecasted to slow down and to start moving to the west-southwest this afternoon and is expected to make landfall along the north-eastern coast of Nicaragua on Tuesday.”
According to the release,”Rapid weakening is expected once the storm starts to move over the mountainous terrain of Nicaragua and Honduras in a westward and then west-northwestward direction.”
“There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the motion of the system after 72 hours. There is a possibility that the remnants of Eta will track into the Gulf of Honduras on Friday where it could regain some strength,” the release further said.
Belizeans who might be concerned about a direct hit by the storm are assured by the National Meteorological Service that Hurricane Eta’s landfall will occur “well south of Belize over Nicaragua,” and therefore no tropical cyclone watches or warnings have been declared for Belize.
“The main threat to Belize is heavy rainfall, starting later today and tonight. Rainfall totals of 10-20 inches or higher is anticipated especially over southern Belize, which is likely to cause flooding and landslides. Gusty winds are expected, which are likely to produce large swells and damaging waves along the coast,” said the release.
While tropical cyclone warnings have not been issued for Belize, a flood watch is in effect for the Cayo, Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, and southern Belize must be prepared for severe flooding, NEMO warned.
Rainfall totals of 10-20 inches with locally higher amounts are possible, especially over southern Belize. These rains could lead to flooding and landslides, NEMO said earlier.
Farmers are reminded to secure their crops and assets, and persons living in flood-prone areas are reminded to put food and valuable items out of the reach of floodwaters.
According to the present forecast, Hurricane Eta is expected to make landfall along the north-eastern coast of Nicaragua late on Monday night or Tuesday morning.
The National Hydrological Service said today, Monday, that “a gradual increase in moisture and instability is expected to start today and conditions will continue deteriorating over the next several days, as Hurricane Eta approaches Central America.”
The 24-hour forecast is that cloudy skies with a few showers, periods of rain and thunderstorms will affect most places this afternoon. Activity will increase tonight into tomorrow morning, especially along the coast and offshore, and the outlook is for frequent showers, periods of rain and thunderstorms, especially along the coast and offshore Tuesday afternoon, increasing with near gale force winds Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
The release also said that a flood watch is in effect for rivers, streams and waterways in the south of the country.