2024-11-15 - Channel 5 Belize

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

TS Sara to Make Landfall South of Belize on Sunday Morning

As we mentioned, the latest forecast models show Tropical Storm Sara making landfall in southern Belize with winds up to sixty miles per hour. As of two PM today, the storm was located about a hundred miles southeast of Belize, moving west at a slow pace of two miles per hour. This sluggish movement has caused the heavy rainfall we’ve seen over the past twenty-four hours, and much more rain is expected over the next two days. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon has more details for us.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist

“Showing that it covers from southern Belize to almost the full north of the country. So, there is still some uncertainty as to where the system will track. But the most probable track which is at the center of the cone is that the system goes and makes landfall somewhere between Dangriga and Placencia based on this current forecast. So, for tomorrow morning, according to the GFS model, the low will remain where it is but we will continue to have bands coming across Belize. Then if I advance the frame twenty-four hours later, which is six a.m. on Sunday morning, you can see the low pressure now along the coast of Belize. One of our stations in the Cayes recorded about thirty-two to thirty-five knots, which is almost at the lower threshold of tropical storm force winds and that is why the country is currently under a tropical storm warning, because we expect to have possible gust and sustained winds of tropical storm force in the outer bands, associated with tropical storm Sara. Again indicating that early Sunday morning we could have potential landfall between Dangriga and Placencia with sixty-mile per hour winds. It will be moving west northwest at sixty miles per hour; therefore it should be crossing the country in about six hours or so, and by six in the evening the system is expected to be well to the west of us over Guatemala.”

Soil Saturation Increasing with TS Sara Rains

All this rain has significantly increased soil moisture levels. However, Chief Hydrologist Tenielle Hendy reassures us that there is no imminent flash flood threat now. Here’s what she shared with reporters this afternoon.

Tenielle Hendy, Chief Hydrologist, N.H.S

“As you can see the soil moisture is very high and saturated in this central region of the country. We do not have any imminent flashflood threats in any of our model time series, which is one three and six hours, same is for the persistent time flood threat for our flash flood guidance. Of note we are seeing positive indication for landslides in the country. You can see it here for Honduras. But, for Belize we just have some areas in the north that we will need to monitor for our landslides.”

Paul Lopez

“I think yesterday we received information that there weren’t going to be any indi9cation of flash flood, yet what we saw in San Ignacio, in the Bullet Tree Area were flash floods.”

Tenielle Hendy

“What happened is that the platform we are running is that it has size limitation, not only for Belize but for the entire Central American region. And the issue is that some of these mini water shed sizes are computationally too large for these systems to address and we do find other ways of indicating whether that system will be flooded. Which is why we had put out the flood warning for the Mopan River and the Macal, including the Belize River system in this area. We don’t want the public to misunderstand that flood warnings are just for riverine flooding or rainfall associated flooding. Flooding is flooding. It doesn’t matter what area or component of flooding we are speaking about. So flash flooding is included in that flood warning.”

NEMO Says It Stand Ready to Respond to Emergencies

Tropic Air has announced that all flights after four PM today are canceled due to bad weather. However, the Philip Goldson International Airport will continue to operate as usual. Event planners are being asked to postpone their events. Businesses are advised to ensure their employees’ safety. National Emergency Coordinator at NEMO, Daniel Mendez, assures that organizations are ready to respond to any requests for assistance.

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO

“What we have been doing is to ensure that all of our emergency operation centers across the country remain on standby. All our district coordinators are on duty and ready to respond to requests for assistance that may arrive at our offices. All of our national committees have met, and they are prepared to implement operational plans as necessary. For us here at the NEMO secretariat we continue to monitor in collaboration with the hydrology and meteorology department and we are prepared to support response as required. We are anticipating high rainfall and strong winds and we are preparing for potential flooding in parts of the country. Points to note, as we have indicated, all interest, especially those in southern Belize must pay close attentional to this system and need to prepare their emergency plans now. Persons living in areas under flood warning must remain vigilant and be prepared to implement emergency plans as necessary. We are asking the organizers of public events are advised to postpone their events until the all clear is given in the interest of public safety. We are also asking business owners to update their business continuity plans and be prepared to implement that. Business owners in affected areas are also asked to ensure the safety of their employees. Also, considering the road conditions are very slippery, we are asking motorist to drive with extreme care to avoid accidents. We have received information that the PGIA will continue to function today as normal. Operations on Saturday may be impacted so passengers are asked to expect delays. This will be reviewed tomorrow and updated as necessary. So please look out for a statement from the Department of Civil Aviation. Also, water taxis will continue to operate today. Operations will close at midday tomorrow.”

Suspected Drug Plane Found Near Frank’s Eddy Village

This morning, a team of law enforcement and military personnel discovered an abandoned single-engine aircraft near Frank’s Eddy Village, parked on the side of a dirt road. It’s believed the plane was used to smuggle narcotics into the country from South America. The interior had been completely gutted, and no drugs were found inside. The Belize Police Department was aware of the illegal landing but couldn’t pinpoint the location until daybreak. Earlier this week, on Open Your Eyes, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa mentioned that the frequency of drug plane landings has significantly decreased since the start of 2024. He provided an overview of the law enforcement efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs (File: November 11^th, 2024)

“As you know, our government for the last two years has approved a budget of around eight hundred thousand [dollars] basically, that is specifically targeting the narco-trafficking agents in Mexico, specifically the Caborca Cartel which operates in the Quintana Roo area. As you know, they have a lot of cross-border activity taking place along the villages of Douglas, San Victor, I believe San Roman as well. And so, our teams, our specialized units are out there in that area, basically to restrict that kind of cross-border trade. We’re talking human smuggling, human trafficking, the importation of cannabis, the exportation of cocaine, whenever that does come into the country. Thankfully, we haven’t seen, I think there’s only one reported plane landing for the entire year of 2024, but it is to basically address that to ensure that we do not become a cartel country, so to speak. I think that we have had excellent success, I believe just last month we had two cocaine busts in the northern part of the country, in Chunox and Sarteneja. And so, it’s been very effective in terms of limiting that type of cross-border transactions.”

Immigration Department Detains 15 Persons

The Immigration Department has detained fifteen individuals, pending repatriation, after they were found inadmissible to enter Belize on various grounds. According to a release from the department, eleven of these individuals are Jamaican—six adults and five children—who arrived in Belize between November fourth and eleventh. The other four are Brazilians who entered Belize on November eleventh on a COPA flight from Panama. The department cited several reasons for their inadmissibility: lack of return tickets to their country of origin, traveling with minors who were not properly documented (without legal guardianship or consent letters from a parent), and providing addresses that turned out to be businesses, not hotels. Additionally, the hotel bookings were made with fraudulent credit cards. Three of the Jamaicans are seeking judicial review of the matter. Today, their attorney, Norman Rodriguez, explained to News Five why they are challenging the decision.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-Law

“I am representing three people, but they’re not of the same arrival date or of the same group. Kara Fisher came in on the 4th of November and he was immediately detained by immigration officers and all his personal belongings were taken away. He would’ve been deported on the 11th. Monday. Kevin Dean and John came in as a part of, part of a group of seven. That’s Friday and they were to be deported on Monday. We prepared applications for judicial review at their request, and we have filed that. I act on this along with senior council, Hubbert Ellington. There is an application for a space on the decision of the immigration officials to deny entry to these individuals. As tourists or visitors to believe with the intention to travel within Belize. 0I don’t see a valid reason For refusing these three individuals I represent and that is why we have suggested to them Go to the court and let the court decide. 0My instructions are that they were given no reason, or they were only told, keep up all your stuff, and they were detained. Even outside of that, the, the law, the SEC section 27 and 28th specified what must be done for these people to, to be, to be given notice, formal notice as to what part of the immigration and which section of the immigration lab they would’ve reached. This has not been done. So in answer to your question, there is no formal or oral reasons or original reasons that was given to these people. We don’t see any.”

Attorney Claims Immigration Dept. Wanted Him to Clients’ Meals

Rodriguez mentioned that right after his clients were detained, COPA Airline was covering their food and stay at the Global Village Hotel in Ladyville. However, one of the immigration officers who handled their case reached out to him, concerned that the meals weren’t being delivered on time. Rodriguez sees this as a potential lawsuit since his clients are under state custody.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-Law

“They’re being held by the state. Um, at the last time was Global Village Hotel. Yes, but I know that the, that the, at that point, it was the, the airline Cooper. Which took responsibility for the accommodation and the food. The immigration officer have made several attempts to get me to pay that, pay for the hotel accommodation, pay for the food. They come here almost every morning and tell me that they need breakfast and I tell them, you are the one have them detained. You are responsible for their welfare. So if anything goes wrong, you will have to answer to the court.”

Attorney Says Client Will Sue GoB for Losses

Rodriguez shared that one of his clients has instructed him to sue the government for any losses he incurs back in Jamaica due to his detention in Belize. This could cover everything from lost wages or even his job, to any expenses he racks up as a result.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-Law

“There is an indication that these people in them to pursue any part of the due process for remedies available to them. But we needed to do this application in order for them to have their day in court for the court to make it if they want the court makes that decision. In fact, in the application, in every civil application, which this is one for each of them, there is a part that says any other orders that the court being tricked, so the court can make certain orders against the state once it agrees with the application that the immigration department acted improperly or wrongfully. There was a flurry of action by senior members of the immigration department during this time. And I am saying there was no need for that. These were simple, simply, or simple applications for permission to visit the lease as visitors and tourists. There was no need for them to appear. So it says something to these individuals and they feel that they’re being targeted. And for what reason? Nobody can say at this point.”

Deliveryman Killed Belmopan Traffic Accident

The tragic death of a motorcycle driver from Belmopan on Thursday afternoon has added to the growing list of fatal motorcycle accidents. The incident occurred around three PM in the Maya Mopan area of Belmopan and claimed the life of Carlos Romero, a young self-employed resident of the same municipality. Romero’s life was cut short due to a collision with a ten-wheeler truck. He passed away at the Western Regional Hospital just hours after the accident. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us the story in this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Belmopan deliveryman Carlos Romero had just left home to run an errand for a customer and was on his way back to San Martin Avenue after completing the job. But tragically, he never made it back home. On St. Peter Street, just past its intersection with St. Jude Street, his red motorcycle got clipped under a ten-wheeler truck he was trying to overtake. Romero and his bike were flung under one of the truck’s right wheels, trapping them both underneath. Elizabeth Mendez, who lives near the intersection, saw Romero drive past just moments before the accident.

Elizabeth Mendez, First Responder

“I see the cycle pass through my front door, to this road, St. Peter and I, I never see the truck that way down. So I suddenly I hear like the door fan back – a big noise, so I stand up on the door and when I see something red, then I say that the cycle, I just hold my head and I run over there for see what’s going on, how I could help or what?”

Mendez said that initially, Romero was not talking and she observed only minor injuries, but the situation changed when she managed to revive him.

Elizabeth Mendez

“I see the scrape on his hand.”

Marion Ali

“Was he talking?”

Elizabeth Mendez

“Yes because I asked him who we could call. You got one for number? But when I really reach him, he can’t talk, but then I do pahn ih chest, rub ih chest, and then I see that he started to talk.”

With the help of an off-duty police officer, Romero was pulled from under the truck and rushed to the Western Regional Hospital, where he sadly passed away later that evening. For Jorge Romero and his family, the accident is especially shocking because Carlos had just left home to run the errand only a few minutes earlier.

Jorge Romero, Father of Deceased

“He works from phone calls. He does errands. He finishes a run, he comes in here, parks his cycle inside here, waits for the next call, and that was his job.”

Marion Ali

“So yesterday he got a call for a job?”

Jorge Romero

“Yes, he did get a call for a job in that area. He done deliver his package, and he was coming back to his station here at home when this accident happened.”

Romero shared that, amidst his grief, he faced another setback when no one who handled his son could return his wallet and IDs.

Jorge Romero

“My son’s properties. He reached with the properties at the hospital. And yesterday they just gave me one tennis, his pants, his helmet, and some little five cents.”

Marion Ali

“And he had what all in his pocket?”

Jorge Romero

“I can’t tell you the amount what he had, but he had money with him. He always got all his money because he needs change to give customers. His social security card, his driver’s license, the insurance of this motorcycle he has it with him.”

Marion Ali

“And you didn’t get those?”

Jorge Romero

“I didn’t get those.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, so what did the hospital or the police tell you?”

Jorge Romero

“The police tell me that I’m going back to the hospital and find out what happened. The nurse at the time dehn mi change shift and she calls the other shift and dehn said that they give me his wallet, but I didn’t get a wallet.”

Marion Ali

“Did they say who they gave from the family?”

Jorge Romero

“I received it. I received the bag.”

Elizabeth Mendez believes that Romero accidentally drove too close as he tried to overtake the truck.

Elizabeth Mendez

“The truck mi di come soh and he mi want to do so to the truck (gesturing to the right) because he may think he could make it faster than the truck because piece of the cycle stay in the middle of the truck and on the side of the step where you go in through the door, right there a next piece mi deh.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Motorists Collides into Each Other After Running Redlight

Amid a worrying rise in motorcycle accidents across Belize, two more motorists have been hospitalized after a collision at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Vernon Street in Belize City. On Thursday night, a driver speeding along Vernon Street ran a red light and crashed into another driver who was turning onto the boulevard on a green light. A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath, with one witness explaining that the collision dragged the driver across the street, leaving him unable to get up. This intersection is notorious for collisions, as drivers frequently run the red light.