Red Cross: “We Take Care of Those Displaced, Evacuated, or Affected”

Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize over the weekend, bringing heavy rainfall that has elevated flooding risks nationwide. Although the storm weakened shortly after coming ashore on Sunday morning, the primary concern now lies in the persistent downpours and rising river levels.

“Right now, we’re still expecting the floods to increase, not decrease,” said Frederick Hunter, Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Point at the Belize Red Cross.

Since Thursday, some areas have received over 15 inches of rain, with others seeing between 4 to 8 inches. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued flood warnings for the Central and Northern parts of Belize, including areas around the Rio Hondo, Macal, Mopan, and Belize rivers, where the risk of “significant and life-threatening flooding” was high.

Hunter spoke on the importance of preparedness during a storm watch. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to always have “grab and go” bags with essentials like clothes, documents, and food.

While the Belize Red Cross doesn’t handle rescues during a crisis, Hunter explained that the organisation steps in for the relief efforts afterward. “We take care of those that have been displaced, that have had to evacuate, or that have been affected by the floods after the fact, not during the crisis itself,” Hunter said. The Red Cross also provides training for search and rescue teams in partnership with the Belize Institute for Search and Rescue Training (BISA) and the Coast Guard.

 

All-Clear Issued as TS Sara Weakens