October 19, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

All Clear Issued as TS Nadine Weakens

As of 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Tropical Storm Nadine has weakened to a tropical depression, prompting the discontinuation of all coastal warnings. At 6:00 PM, Nadine was located near latitude 17.3N, longitude 90.0W, about 120 miles west of Belize City, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm is moving westward at 13 mph and is expected to continue weakening as it moves further inland and away from Belize.

On the advice of the Chief Meteorologist and the National Emergency Management Coordinator, Prime Minister John Briceno has issued the “All Clear” for the entire country, signaling that Belize is no longer under threat from tropical storm conditions. However, residents are advised to remain cautious as additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected overnight, accompanied by gusty winds. A small craft caution remains in effect, and operators are urged to exercise care.

Flood warnings are still in place for certain areas, particularly the Iguana Creek low-lying bridge and the Coastal Highway from La Democracia to Hope Creek junction, which may become impassable. Rivers, including the Rio Hondo, New River, Booth’s River, Rio Bravo, Mopan, Macal, and Belize Rivers, along with those originating from the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, remain at risk of flooding. There is also a risk of landslides in the northern and central highland regions. The San Ignacio Low Lying Bridge remains closed, and the Mollejon Spillway is active.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness are urging the public to avoid contact with floodwaters, which can pose significant health risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries. Exposure to contaminated water may lead to illnesses such as skin infections, stomach illness, and waterborne diseases like typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A.

Despite the “All Clear,” residents are encouraged to stay alert and continue following official updates from NEMO and the National Meteorological Service. NEMO’s hotline is available at 936, and the National Emergency Operations Centre, along with all District Emergency Operations centres, remains on alert.

Belizean Farmer Charged with Murder

Twenty-six-year-old Kadrian Travis Wade, a farmer from Lucky Strike Village has been charged with the murder of Glenford Davis.

Davis, a 46-year-old farmer from Rockstone Pond Village, was reported missing on March 12, 2024, after last being seen on December 21, 2023. Police discovered his skeletal remains about 75 yards off a feeder road in the Rockstone Pond area on March 16, along with a pair of rubber boots, a bush hat, and a backpack.

TS Nadine Aftermath: Mollejon and Vaca Dams Spill

Excessive rainfall from Tropical Storm Nadine has resulted in the Mollejon and Vaca dams spilling, while the Chalillo Dam remains stable and continues to hold back floodwaters from the Macal River upstream.

Fortis Belize Limited (FBL) stated that spilling is a natural occurrence when water overflows the dam wall. It emphasised that should the Chalillo Dam begin to spill, it will issue further communication and alert downstream communities that may be impacted. FBL also noted that while dams do not fully prevent flooding, they reduce the risk of flood disasters, even when spilling occurs.

FBL personnel are currently on-site at each facility, monitoring water levels as the storm progresses across Belize. The company says it is maintaining close communication with officials from BEL and NEMO.

MOHW Advises Public on Safe Drinking Water Practices Post TS Nadine

Following flooding from Tropical Storm Nadine, the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has declared many drinking water sources unsafe, including municipal systems, rural supplies, wells, and stored water. Affected water may “appear dark in color, have an odor, or have floating fragments.” To make water safe for drinking, cooking, or bathing, the MOHW recommends three treatment methods:

Bleach: Add one tablespoon of unscented bleach to five gallons of water, mix, and let stand for 30 minutes.
Boiling: Heat water until it reaches a rolling boil for one minute, then cool and store in a clean container.
Purification tablets: Follow package instructions and allow the water to stand for the recommended time.

The MOHW urges the public to stay safe and will continue to monitor the situation, providing updates when water sources are safe again. For more information, contact the nearest public health office.

Advisory 8: Tropical Storm Nadine Weakens

As of 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 19, 2024, Tropical Storm Nadine is gradually weakening as it continues to move inland. Despite this, tropical storm conditions are still affecting parts of the Corozal, Belize, and Orange Walk Districts. A Tropical Storm warning remains in effect from Belize City northward to the Mexico border.

At 3:00 PM, Nadine was located approximately 80 miles west of Belize City at latitude 17.4N and longitude 89.4W, moving westward at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. This westward motion is expected to continue for the remainder of the day.

The primary concern remains heavy rainfall. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches have already been recorded, with an additional 2 to 4 inches possible, especially over northern and central Belize. This raises the risk of flooding. Strong gusty winds are still creating rough seas, and mariners are advised to stay in safe harbor until the winds die down later this evening. Gusty winds in central and northern districts may continue for the next 2 to 3 hours and could cause minor damage to weak structures.

Hazards Expected to Affect Belize:
– Excess Rainfall: An additional 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, which could lead to localized flooding in northern and central Belize.
– High Winds: Winds of 45 mph, with stronger gusts, may cause damage to structures, crops, and trees.

Flood Warnings are in Effect for:
– Coastal Road from La Democracia to Hope Creek Junction
– San Ignacio low-level bridge and Iguana Creek Bridge
– Sittee River and surrounding areas
– Rivers in central and northern Belize, including Rio Hondo, New River, Booth’s River, Rio Bravo, Mopan, Macal, and Belize Rivers, as well as those on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) urges residents in the Corozal, Belize, Orange Walk, and Cayo Districts to make use of shelters if necessary. Other districts should remain on high alert. Businesses in the Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize Districts, including San Pedro and Caye Caulker, should remain closed. Essential services, however, will stay open in these areas.

Residents are reminded to keep emergency plans in place, ensure they have supplies of food, water, and medicine, and check on vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and those with disabilities. Shelters are available in affected districts, and water taxi operations remain suspended.

The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) remains open, but travelers should expect delays.

Cuba Faces Second Nationwide Blackout as Electrical Grid Collapses Again

Cuba was plunged into darkness early Saturday morning after its national electrical grid collapsed for the second time in 24 hours, according to state-run media. The grid operator, UNE, reported the “total disconnection of the national electro-energetic system” at 6:15 a.m., leaving the entire island without power.

The blackout came just hours after Cuban authorities announced they had begun restoring service following a previous collapse on Friday. While some progress was made in bringing electricity back to critical areas, including hospitals and parts of Havana, most of the country’s 10 million residents were still without power by Saturday afternoon.

Throughout Havana, traffic lights remained off, commerce was halted, and long lines formed at state-subsidised stores as Cubans waited to purchase essential items like bread. The country’s top electricity official, Lazaro Guerra, stated that efforts were underway to raise capacity and restart power plants, though he could not guarantee that full restoration would be achieved by the end of the day.

Confusion arose when state-run outlet CubaDebate reported a second grid collapse, while Guerra described it as a more localised issue, not directly confirming another total failure.

Cuba’s grid first failed around midday on Friday after one of its largest power plants shut down. The country has been grappling with worsening blackouts for weeks, which the government attributes to ageing infrastructure, fuel shortages, and increased demand. Strong winds from Hurricane Milton last week complicated efforts to deliver fuel from offshore to power plants.

Hurricane Oscar Forms Off the Bahamas

Hurricane Oscar has formed off the coast of the Bahamas, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami. Characterised as “tiny,” Oscar is currently located approximately 165 miles east-southeast of the Bahamas and about 470 miles east of Camaguey City in Cuba, with maximum sustained winds reaching 80 miles per hour.

In response to the storm, the government of Cuba has issued a Hurricane Watch for the provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas.

The latest advisory from the NHC warns of locally heavy rainfall that may affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas later today, with conditions expected to spread to eastern Cuba by Sunday.

Additionally, the NHC is also monitoring Tropical Storm Nadine, which is currently situated just inland over Belize.

Belize Port Authority Issues Urgent Notice to Mariners Amid TS Nadine

The Belize Port Authority has issued an urgent advisory to all mariners, boat owners, and port facility operators in light of Tropical Storm Nadine, which is currently affecting the country. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Belize City northward to the border with Mexico, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas, and the potential for flooding, particularly in northern and central districts.

As the storm continues to move inland, the Belize Port Authority has ordered several precautionary measures to ensure the safety of vessels, passengers, and port operations.

Suspension of Water Taxi Operations
All water taxi services within the affected areas have been suspended until further notice. Operators are instructed to immediately cease operations and prioritize the safety of passengers and staff.

Guidelines for Vessel Owners and Operators
All vessels in the affected zones are advised to remain moored in safe harbor until the situation improves. Vessel owners should check and secure mooring lines and remove any loose items from decks to prevent damage. Mariners are urged to stay updated on official weather reports and advisories from the Belize Port Authority and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

Port Facilities Precautions
Port operators in the impacted areas should secure all cargo and fasten loose materials in preparation for high winds and potential flooding. Operations should be limited or suspended if weather conditions deteriorate to unsafe levels.

The Belize Port Authority is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed. Mariners are encouraged to stay tuned to local radio stations and VHF radio advisories for the latest information.

12 PM Flood Forecast for Saturday

As of 12:00 PM, the flood outlook for the next 24 hours indicates elevated river levels are expected for the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun. In Region 7, residents are urged to monitor water levels and exercise caution. On the Rio Hondo at Blue Creek North, flood levels are expected to continue, with increasing levels forecast downstream at Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, Douglas, and toward the coast. The New River at Hill Bank and Tower Hill will see rising levels, while elevated levels are expected at Caledonia.

In Region 9, the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town is expected to reach bank full stage. The Macal River’s Fortis reservoirs at Chalillo and Mollejon are projected to remain below spillway, but Vaca will exceed the spillway, and the low-level bridge at San Ignacio will also be affected. The Belize River at Double Run will see above-normal levels, while the Crooked Tree Lagoon’s levels are expected to remain below the causeway.

In Region 11, the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun will experience increasing but still below-normal levels. The Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village will see rising levels. Watersheds on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains and the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge will continue to see above-normal levels. Below-normal levels are expected for the Swasey and Bladen branches of the Monkey River, while normal levels are forecast for the Deep River at Medina Bank, the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls, and the Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan. Similarly, the Temash River at Crique Sarco will maintain normal levels.

In Region 13, normal levels are expected on the Sarstoon River. Residents across affected areas are advised to continue monitoring water levels and remain cautious.

Advisory No. 7: Tropical Storm Nadine Makes Landfall

Tropical Storm Nadine made landfall just south of Belize City at 10 AM local time. However, tropical storm conditions continue to impact parts of the Corozal, Belize, and Orange Walk Districts. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect from Belize City northward to the Mexico border. As of 12 PM, Nadine was located near latitude 17.6N, longitude 88.5W, or about 20 miles west-northwest of Belize City, moving westward at 8 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph. The storm is expected to weaken as it moves further inland throughout the day.

The primary concern with Nadine remains heavy rainfall. Some areas have already received 3 to 5 inches of rain, with an additional 2 to 4 inches expected, particularly over northern and central Belize. This will likely result in flooding. Strong gusty winds continue to produce rough sea conditions, and mariners are advised to remain in safe harbor until conditions improve. Gusty winds will persist in central and northern districts for another 3 to 6 hours and could cause minor damage to weak structures.

Hazards Expected to Affect Belize:
– Excess Rainfall: An additional 2 to 4 inches of rain is expected, mainly in northern and central Belize, increasing the risk of localized flooding.
– High Winds: Winds of up to 50 mph, with higher gusts, are expected in the impacted areas, potentially causing damage to structures, crops, and trees.

Flood Alerts:
– Coastal Road from La Democracia to Hope Creek Junction
– San Ignacio low-level bridge and Iguana Creek Bridge
– Sittee River and surrounding areas

Flood Warnings:
– Urbanized flood warnings are in effect for low-lying areas in central and northern Belize.
– Riverine flood warnings are in effect for rivers in the north, central areas, and the Maya Mountains.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) urges residents of Corozal, Belize, Orange Walk, and Cayo Districts to remain in shelter. Other districts should remain on high alert.

– Businesses in Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize Districts (including San Pedro and Caye Caulker) should remain closed until Tropical Storm Nadine has passed. Employers are urged to ensure the safety of their employees.
– Essential services will remain open in Belize, Corozal, and Orange Walk Districts, as well as in San Pedro and Caye Caulker.
– Families and businesses should implement emergency plans, ensuring that food, water, and medical supplies are ready. Check on the elderly, those with disabilities, and safeguard pets.
– Shelters are open in Belize, Cayo Districts, and San Pedro Town as needed. Follow NEMO announcements for shelter information in your district.
– The Belize Port Authority has suspended water taxis and advised the safe mooring of vessels.
– The Philip Goldson International Airport remains operational, though flight delays may occur.

Residents should follow official updates from NEMO and the National Meteorological Service. The National Emergency Operations Centre is activated, and District Emergency Operations centres remain on high alert. For assistance, NEMO’s hotline is 936. Let’s work together to keep our communities safe and prepared!