Flash Flood Sweeps Through Santiago Juan Community

Tropical Storm Sara is set to hit Belize earlier than expected. Initially, it was predicted to make landfall around midday Sunday, but now it’s forecasted to arrive early Sunday morning. We’ll share more about the preparations and what residents, especially in southern Belize, can expect. But first, let’s head out west. On Thursday evening, the outer bands of Tropical Storm Sara brought the heaviest rainfall yet to the Santiago Juan Area in San Ignacio Town. This caused flash flooding, with the creek rising to levels residents say they’ve never seen before. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but many in the community reported damage to household items and pipelines. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled west and filed this report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A western community is grappling with the aftermath of a flash flood that swept through properties and homes. On Thursday evening, floodwaters surged through the Santiago Juan community, off Bullet Tree Road in San Ignacio Town, reaching unprecedented levels. Video footage shows streets turning into rivers as the floodwaters rushed downhill. Today, a creek in the area stands as a stark reminder of the massive volume of water that came with the flash flood.

 

Voice of: Gian Rodriquez, Santiago Juan Resident

“Ih mih the rain fih probably about three to four hours and I see it was nearly across the road deh.”

 

Paul Lopez

“For you is this something you have seen happen before?”

 

Voice of Gian Rodriquez

“Well, no, not really, I have never seen it reach so high yet.”

 

According to Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, the area received the largest volume of rainfall in the country associated with Tropical Storm Sara.

 

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist

“The western part of the country where the flooding was reported last night received the highest accumulation with rainfalls totaling up to about four inches. Bullett Tree recorded about ninety-four millimeter. Ninety-six point six in Santa Elena. Most of this occurred during the heavy rainfall resulting in flash flooding in those areas.”

 

Neiby Morales was unable to save any of her household items, as the flood waters came rushing down the creek next to her home. She sought refuge inside an abandoned, elevated, wooden structure in front of her house. She recounted the frightening ordeal when the flash flood took her washing machine downstream.

 

Voice of: Neiby Morales, Santiago Juan Resident

“I didn’t expect the water was going to rise up to where it rise up yesterday. It took me to rush, to run.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is it the first time it has risen so high?”

 

Voice of: Neiby Morales

“It is the first time. I didn’t expect to rise up to the step. It was so scary. I was by myself here yesterday. I was so scared I can tell you. I am in this one from the front, because it all wet and the things from inside, everything. Bed and the sofa and everything. How I can’t back it and it is to heavy for me to back it. It had to stay right there.”

 

Chief Hydrologist Tenielle Hendy explains what led to the flash flood.

 

Tenielle Hendy, Chief Hydrologist

“What we determined happened is that recall earlier this week there was about fourteen inches of rain that were received in the Maya Mountains in two different spirts. That was received overnight. Then we received additional rain yesterday and this morning. So, what you are seeing is an accumulation of these flood waters making their way down these streams. They will not all come down at once. They will come down in waves according to bankfull stage. Bank full means that the river cannot take anymore and when it cannot take anymore, it will flow overland or travel rapidly down the system.”

 

Thankfully, no lives were lost in Thursday evening’s flash flood. Today, residents were busy preparing for the upcoming rains as Tropical Storm Sara is expected to make landfall south of Belize on Sunday. Despite the forecasted landfall, the rain is expected to continue over the next several days.

 

Ronald Gordon

“In terms of rainfall forecast… forecasted from six this moring until six on Sunday, indicating that we can expect at least ten inches more of rainfall, mostly over the south according to this model from the system. Again, it is just a model. We saw what occurred in San Ignacio, Santa Elena where we had significant rainfall.”

 

The National Emergency Management Organization says it has deployed a team into the affected areas in the Cayo district to assess damages.

Paul Lopez

“What are the concerns for you all any at all given that the rains will continue?

 

Voice of: Gian Rodriquez

“From what I mih hear a hurricane mih the come. But that is until Sunday they say. So, if this done the do that, I don’t know what that could bring.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez