Corozal Prepares for Tropical Storm Impact and Heavy Rains

The northernmost portion of Belize continues to brace for tropical storm force winds, as Hurricane Beryl is projected to make landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula. Flooding in the north is a major concern as this system is expected to dump several inches of rainfall. NEMO’s Corozal District Office says it is prepared. The office is encouraging residents living in low-lying, flood prone areas to seek shelter. Residents have been keeping track of the record-breaking tropical system. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

May Donn, Corozal Resident

“Right now I have no plans because we have to work and thing. But we are aware of it, but dah nuh like I have no plans as yet.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you see people around you doing anything for preparations?”

 

May Donn

“No, nobody, probably they are taking it lightly.”

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

We spoke with May Donn on Tuesday afternoon in Corozal Town. She, like most of the residents we spoke with, was aware of the threats Hurricane Beryl poses to Belize. Marlo Portillo and his family had already stocked up on their groceries.

 

Marlo Portillo, Corozal Resident

“We already have some beans ready for the hurricane. We see people buying stuff over the last two days. Yeah, a lot of people buying stuff yesterday and today too. We pray to God that it does not come this way because we are scared, the kids are afraid too, everybody is scared, we pray to God the hurricane does not come this way.”

 

 

 

 

The National Emergency Management Organization’s Corozal District Office says it is prepared to weather the storm. District Coordinator Ronnie Hernandez says shelters are ready to keep residents safe. Shelters will open as the need arises. The most vulnerable in the populations are also being considered.

 

Ronnie Hernandez, Corozal District Coordinator, NEMO

“We don’t have thirteen operational committees now, we have fifteen operational committees. The two additional committees consist of maritime and the special needs committee. The special needs committee reported that we have a plan. We stick to the Corozal Community College, there is a building for the old folks home here in Corozal which of course are flood prone. We do have a plan when it comes to evacuation. This people can be placed there along with the people in charge and watching over them.”

 

 

 

Apart from possible tropical storm force winds, flooding is one of the primary concerns in the Corozal District. Over the weekend, incessant rain led to unexpected flooding in several communities in the north. Hurricane Beryl will likely dump a significant amount of rain in these areas.

 

 

 

 

 

File: July 1st, 2024, Tenielle Hendy, Principal Hydrologist, NHS

“Right now the entire north and part of central Belize the soil moisture is very saturated. So there is not a lot of room for waters to go through the soil. They are at capacity. They have taken all that they can take. So, what happens is that turns into runoffs, it leads to flooding and eventually goes into the river.”

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Rigo Vellos weighed in on the possibility of flooding in the district, while warning residents not to take any risks.

 

Rigo Vellos, Mayor, Corozal Town

“I know there will have people who would want to come and there will be people who want to come out, but like I said this is something very serious. Even if it is just rain, it will be a lot of rain and we need to be prepared. As leaders we need to encourage people that if they stand a high chance of getting flooded not to take the risk but move to shelters. I know that we are working very closely together with DEMO and NEMO is the one giving the advice.”

 

 

 

Ronnie Hernandez

“Whenever you are going to a shelter you know you have to take your own food for seventy-two hours. After seventy-two hours the relief and supplies management committee kicks in. I have always told my village emergency committee, but Mr. Hernandez, they ask me, what if the person doesn’t have anything to eat. If the system was not coming, what would you eat, they have tortilla, little piece of bread, bring it to the shelter, the humanitarian part of these other will open a can and give you a sausage.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.