Earlier we heard San Pedro Mayor, Wally Nunez say that islanders have been taking early precautionary steps to prepare for Beryl in the event it dips in its track and comes closer our way. And as has been the case, when there’s an emergency, merchants and shop owners begin to price gouge, but that will not be tolerated in San Pedro, according to Mayor Wally Nunez. He told us that the San Pedro Town Council has been getting out that message clearly on the radio station and the various media platforms on the island.
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“They cannot be doing that. It is illegal and they can face consequences, especially through their trade license. If they are caught increasing any of those prices, because this is a time when we’re supposed to unite and help each other and not take advantage of people. And our staff has been out there checking on the different stores, grocery stores and the hardware stores to make sure that they are not decreasing the prices of the goods.”
Marion Ali
“Okay, so there is monitoring of that, yes?”
Wally Nunez
“Yes, definitely. We are monitoring that but if there’s anybody who has information of any establishment that is increasing the prices to please let us know through our Facebook page or call the Town Council.”
B.S.C.F.A. Committee of Management Vice Chair, Alfredo Ortega told us earlier that around seventeen hundred canefarmers in the north have suffered losses so far by the flood waters, which represents roughly twenty-five percent of all canefarmers from Orange Walk and Corozal. The B.S.F.C.A. official is in Guadalajara, Mexico for a workshop on agro-science. Ortega will be back on Wednesday, as the workshop has been shortened because of the approaching Hurricane Beryl. He explained to us that the session is mainly to share information about products that could be beneficial for the farmers across the board.
Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A.
“It’s more products that could be beneficial for the cane farming community, not only cane farming, but also all the agriculture sector, because these products that they are presenting to us right now are products that are really friendly with the environment. They’re mostly enriched with organic production, so they are more environmentally friendly and we’re seeing that if we start to use those products, then we can have better yields with the same varieties we have. And also our vegetable farmers or our green farmers can really benefit to have a better use in their production of the different vegetables that we can plant.”
The Chief Justice of Belize, Louise Esther Blenman, announced that, in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl’s impact, all proceedings in the Belize Magistrate Courts and the Belize Family Courts will be adjourned from Wednesday, July 3, 2024, through Monday, July 8, 2024. This decision prioritises the safety and well-being of court staff, jurors, attorneys, and the public.
Details of Adjournments:
-Effective Dates: All court cases scheduled between July 3 and July 8, 2024, will be adjourned.
Rescheduling of Cases:
– Cases scheduled for Thursday, July 4, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
– Cases scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
– Cases scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
– Court Operations: Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, barring any further impact from the hurricane.
– Urgent Matters: In exceptional circumstances, the Magistrate Court will be available to hear urgent matters as conditions permit.
The public is urged to stay informed through official channels and adhere to any advisories issued by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
For further inquiries or updates about court matters, please contact the office of the Registrar at 227-0045.
The judiciary appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as these steps are taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced last week that it would fund projects in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that address urban sustainability, groundwater management, biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation.
The initiatives are supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and their implementation will contribute to the development of the organization’s key working strategies in the region.
“FAO is working closely with our member countries to promote a climate finance mobilization strategy for innovative greenhouse optimization, soil and land mapping initiatives. We are supporting governments and communities in building capacity for integrated risk management to improving the resilience of livelihoods and value chains,” said FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin.
In South America, Chile will receive FAO support to enhance ecosystem-based solutions and green infrastructure networks for biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation in four cities. The project aims to improve practices on over 1,325,000 hectares of landscapes, mitigate over 14,900 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and directly benefit nearly 732,000 people.
Central America, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama will collaborate to scale up a source-to-sea management approach to manage inland resources and coastal ecosystems comprehensively. The project will improve biodiversity, water security, the blue economy of 12 major watersheds, and the large Caribbean and Pacific marine ecosystems that flank the countries. The project aims to improve the management of more than 1.8 million hectares of terrestrial and marine protected areas, restore 300 hectares of wetlands, improve practices in more than 353,000 hectares of landscapes, and directly benefit 350,000 people.
In the Caribbean, 14 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago) will improve sustainable land management in the second phase of the SOILCARE initiative. The project will help Small Island Developing States manage land resources for more productive and climate-resilient agri-food systems and livelihoods by supporting countries in achieving land degradation neutrality targets. The project aims to restore 28,000 hectares of agricultural land, improve the management of nearly 70,000 hectares of land, and directly benefit at least 6,900 farmers.
The Chief Veterinary Officer of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is advising livestock owners to closely monitor the development of Hurricane Beryl and take necessary measures to safeguard both human and animal life. With an extremely active hurricane season forecasted, planning and preparation are crucial to minimize losses caused by such disasters.
BAHA recommends the following key activities to reduce the risk of harm to animals before, during, and after a storm:
Before a Hurricane:
– Ensure an accurate count of all animals owned or under care, with updated records and proof of ownership.
– Secure an adequate supply of feed, water, and veterinary supplies, including necessary medications for use before and after the storm.
– Move livestock out of flood-prone areas to higher, safer pastures.
– Secure animal housing and remove loose and dangerous items that could become projectiles during the storm, including feeders and waterers.
– Trim trees and remove branches that could potentially fall on barns or animal housing.
– Ensure pets have adequate shelter from the elements and are not tied down if proper shelter is unavailable.
During a Hurricane:
– Stay inside and avoid any outdoor activities.
After a Hurricane:
– Approach animals with caution due to potential stress caused by the storm.
– Conduct a complete headcount of all animals.
– Inspect animals for injuries or open wounds and provide immediate assistance.
– Ensure animals have access to clean water and food.
– Record and promptly dispose of any deceased animals.
– Evaluate and repair any structural damages to animal housing.
For further information, contact the Animal Health Department at animalhealth@baha.org.bz or call 824-4872.
Clarita Pech has been appointed as the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly of Belize.
This appointment is made following the resignation of the former Clerk, Eddie Webster.
Pech brings twenty-five years of experience at the National Assembly to her new role, having served as Deputy Clerk for nearly fifteen years. She has previously acted as Clerk on several occasions. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Sector Management from the University of Belize and certificate courses from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s virtual academy on parliamentary mechanisms.
House Speaker Valeria Woods thanked Webster for his fourteen years of service to the National Assembly and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Tonight, Hurricane Beryl is barreling its way towards Central America. The tropical system developed into a hurricane over the weekend and rapidly intensified to a category four hurricane before making landfall in the eastern Caribbean. This is a historic tropical system as it is the first time a category four hurricane has developed within the Atlantic basin in the month of June. These types of weather systems are more common in the peak of the hurricane season, between August and October. Its projected path shows Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula inside the cone of impact. But it is too early for the experts to say whether Belize will experience a direct hit. Belize will however begin to experience the effects of the system as early as Thursday evening. Today, the National Emergency Management Organization hosted the first of a series of daily press conferences for this week. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Met Officer
“Our update as of midday on a potentially catastrophic major hurricane Beryl was that it was moving west northwest at about twenty miles per hour away from Windward Island after having affected those island this morning. the projected forecast is for it to move to a west, northwest track towards the southeastern Caribbean Sea for the remainder of today, Tuesday, enter the central Caribbean Sea just around Jamaica on Wednesday and move into the northern Caribbean Sea on Thursday.”
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Beryl maintained its strength as a category four hurricane throughout the course of today, with wind speeds of up to one hundred and fifty miles per hour. Forecasts are calling for it to weaken as it enters the central Caribbean Sea.
Ronald Gordon
“In terms of the projected path, the system currently is moving west northwest. It will encounter a high-pressure ridge that will develop over the Gulf of Mexico forcing a more westward track. Just to make it simple for the public, a ridge is like a mountain, the hurricane cannot move over a mountain, so it moves around it. That ridge will block the system from moving north and push it on a westerly track after it leaves near Jamaica. There is still a lot of uncertainty. This is a four-to-five-day prediction. That carries a lot of uncertainty as you can see from the projected cone there is a hashed area near Belize indicating there is a high level of uncertainty where the system will be. However, the projected cone shows it anywhere from the southern district, let’s say Stann Creek to the Yucatan Peninsula.”
According to Gordon, the center of the hurricane can make landfall anywhere within the projected cone by Friday morning. There is also a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the strength that Hurricane Beryl will have when it makes landfall in the western Caribbean.
Ronald Gordon
“In terms of possible impacts we cannot say precisely at the moment given the uncertainty. But if the system moves within the projected path, we will likely receive some impact including strong winds and heavy rainfall which we will be able fine tune as the weeks goes on as we get more information.”
The National Emergency Management Organization will be activated as of nine a.m. on Tuesday morning. Daniel Mendez, the National Emergency Coordinator, is advising the country to prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Beryl on Friday.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“We continue to encourage the public to prepare. We highly encourage people who are living in low lying areas or areas that are flood prone to consider early evacuation to start moving in an advance as this develops. As the chief meteorologist has said, there is a large area of uncertainty, but we cannot wait until it is too late, so we encourage you to get these things done as soon as possible.”
The forecast track has shifted several times over the past twenty-four hours. According to Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, it was moving further north from Belize. It then shifted south to include Belize. This is the uncertainty of the models that the experts are currently working with. One thing is certain, sea temperatures are above average for this time of the year. That is fuel for a tropical system.
Ronald Gordon
“The entire Atlantic and Caribbean basin are supercharged with hot water. So, we have looked at the figures. We are about two or three degrees Celsius above normal in terms of temperature. And like you said that is the energy these system needs to fuel them. That is precisely why this system intensified rapidly. This hurricane is the first category four hurricanes in history in recorded history for the month of June.”
Daniel Mendez
“Our message has been since June, May, you need to have a plan, start preparing and so while we cant tell you to go out an purchase, what we can tell you is to ensure you have a plan, you know where to go. Again, with this great degree of uncertainty for us to say yes you need to purchase these things and stock up, I think it would be too early to say. You must know what to do and where to, and you cannot wait until the last minute.”
So, when will the experts be able to confirm whether this system will make direct landfall on Belize? Gordon projects that by Tuesday afternoon there will be greater certainty about the path of the hurricane.
Daniel Mendez
“The best-case scenario is that it goes through the Yucatan channel and doesn’t affect anybody. That would be the best case. The worst case is that it comes direct to the country as a category two or three hurricane and that would be the worst-case scenario.”
As for the availability and readiness of hurricane shelters, National Emergency Management Coordinator, Daniel Mendez, says shelters have been inspected and are ready. Here is how he puts it.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“Yes, the shelter list is on our NEMO Facebook page or website. You can download it from there. The shelters we have inspected. You will find there is a category one, category two list. So depending on the intensity of this storm, we will be opening these shelters as necessary. So, through the district offices you will be provided with information as to which shelters will be open and when those will be open. Prepare your homes, if you need to seek shelter know where you are going. If you are living on the island, you know that this may impact you, start to live on your own. It can get very difficult if you wait until the last minute, you may not get space on a boat if evacuation is required. So, it is really important to take these steps now and early and keep in communication with the met service, NEMO, and use that information and take action.”
Over the weekend, several parts of Corozal District experienced severe flooding. The ground remains very saturated which is a cause for concern if Hurricane Beryl is expected to bring further rainfall. The fact that the country recently experienced a bout of severe drought may also lead to flooding in other parts of Belize. Tennielle Hendy, the Principal Hydrologist at the National Hydrological Services, explains.
Tennielle Hendy
Tennielle Hendy, Principal Hydrologist, National Hydrological Services
“The forecast for the north is still for flooding conditions to prevail. That is caused mainly by the excessive rainfall we received over the past couple of weeks. We are not seeing any riverine flooding which is different from precipitation related flooding. But there is the possibility that we do get riverine flooding from our neighbors, Guatemala and Mexico as we saw in Chetumal. The same time Chetumal was flooding, Belize in the north was also flooding but more recently the flooding we are seeing in San Roman, is based on excessive rainfall. That is called urban flooding. With any additional rainfall we can get, I would say with a minimum of six inches more we can see a combination of excessive rainfall coupled with riverine flooding. So you might be saying well you are using a lot of words what does this mean? It just means we will have flooding conditions for longer periods, because what we call localized flooding from excessive rainfall that runs into the river. but if the rivers are full where is it going to go? We also have to factor in tidal events. When the is a high tide the water remains stagnant or it starts to fan out or spread out and in areas that are not prone to flooding it becomes flooded. So there are a lot of factors we need to consider in terms of flooding that is why we work very closely with the met service and NEMO.”
The Government of Belize is warning business owners against price gouging at a time when shoppers are rushing to the shelves to stock up on groceries and buy construction material as part of their hurricane preparedness plans. Today, NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez, reminded businesses that there are repercussions for predatory price gouging.
Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO
“In terms of the price gouging, it is really important to keep an eye on this. We know there is potential for this to happen. Like you said it is something that needs to be policed and it is something that the government will have to keep and eye on to ensure that we are protecting people so that there is no advantage being taken of as we as a country start to make those preparations. So, whenever we find that out the information needs to take up to the necessary channels to have action.”
Reporter
“If I am a victim of it, is there any action I can take?”
Daniel Mendez
“Send that information to NEMO so that we can do the necessary investigations.”
