NEMO Provides Updates on Access Points in Flooded Communities

Earlier today, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) shared an update on all the roads that are currently impassable due to flooding. For almost two weeks now, folks in northern and western Belize have been dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sara. As the floodwaters travel down the Belize River, communities in rural and central areas are now experiencing rapid flooding. With water levels changing daily, we caught up with Nicole Zetina, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, to get the latest scoop on the affected areas.

 

Nicole Zetina, Public Relations Officer, Disaster Risk Management
“I will start with the Orange Walk District. So we have in the San Antonio Village, the main access road for that is accessible, but not for heavy duty trucks. So with there’s still water in the road. So we’re asking heavy duty trucks, you know, the big loaders and the dump trucks, not to pass by because with that weight, it will only make it worse. San Estevan, the ferry is closed. As everything that is closed or impassable is still underwater. For the Belize District, we have Burrell Boom, the main access road is impassable for small vehicles. And the road leading to the police station is also impassable for small vehicles. And that means anything that is very low. So if you have an SUV or a four-seater truck that’s a bit higher, that is possible for you for a smaller car. We’re not advising that you pass because the water level is, is high that it will cause some damage to your vehicle or for you not to even be able to cross the road. Grace Bank, the main access road is impossible. Crooked Tree, main access road is also impassible for Lucky Strike. Free Town Sibun, both impassible for small vehicles. May Pen, completely impassible.  We have Flowers Bank,  Bomba, Rancho Dolores, and the Sunset Park Western Paradise Community, all impassable for small vehicles. In the Cayo District, the San Ignacio Town, the low-lying bridge, is closed. Central Farm Baking Pot Ferry is closed. The Black Man Eddy is closed. Iguana Creek Bridge is now open. The San Jose Succutz Village is closed. So that’s the Xunantunich Ferry.  And yeah, that’s about it for today. Every day in the morning, we try to, as early as possible as we get the information, and this is in conjunction with the MIDH, we try to post out this information so that our traversers know to proceed with caution. So we give a daily update as we get this information.“