Tropical Storm Gamma has relocated to the Southeast and continues to drift slowly across the Northwestern Caribbean. The Preliminary Phase of the Hurricane Emergency Plan remains in effect for Belize.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the coast of Belize from Belize City Northwards to the Belize/Mexico Border.

At midday the center of Tropical Storm Gamma was located near 16.2 degrees North latitude and 85.2 degrees West longitude. This puts Tropical Storm Gamma at about 218 miles East by South of Belize City and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and 240 miles East of Punta Gorda Town.

Gamma is drifting slowly to the North and this is expected to continue for the next 24 hours with an increase in forward speed.

Maximum sustained winds are still near 45 miles per hour. Satellite imagery shows that Gamma has become slightly less organized and only a slight increase in strength is likely during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outwards up to 105 miles from the center mainly to the north of the center.

Residents on the cayes and along coastal areas should be prepared for gusty winds, very rough seas and torrential rain. The marine community is ordered to remain in harbor until further notice. Waves of 9 to 12 feet are possible.

Persons on the mainland living in low-lying areas or along rivers and creeks should be prepared for rapidly rising waters and life-threatening flash floods. Rainfall totals of up to 8 inches have fallen in the Maya Mountains over the last 24 hours. This is producing flooding of the Macal and Mopan Rivers. The Privassion, Barton and Roaring Creeks, Caves Branch, Sibun and the North Stann Creek River are all flooded.

The wooden bridge in San Ignacio/Santa Elena has been closed due to flooding and the Belize River is rising and is expected to continue rising.

Vehicular Traffic is advised to exercise extreme caution as visibility will be reduced in heavy rains and low-lying areas will become flooded.