SITUATION REPORT #4 - FLOODING IN BELIZE
Message:
Northern Belize is bracing for floods whilst Southern Belize continues the recovery process after four (4) days of flooding.
The Event:
Tropical Strom Arthur formed on the afternoon of Saturday May 31, 2008 and immediately made landfall in northern Belize on the Yucatan Peninsula. Before becoming the first storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, Tropical Storm Arthur was Tropical Storm Alma which developed in the Eastern Pacific on May 27. TS Alma and Arthur dumped approximately fifteen (15) inches of rain across Belize causing flooding in low lying areas and severely affecting the northern and southern districts. Initial damage assessment reports have indicated that a number of houses have been destroyed, damaged or submerged and approximately 16,000 persons have been affected countrywide. Five (5) deaths have been confirmed and two (2) persons are reportedly still missing.
The Prime Minister of Belize declared the Stann Creek District and Gales Point, Manatee Village in the Belize District as Disaster Areas.
Prognosis:
Flood waters have begun to recede in the southern areas (Stann Creek District), however the river levels in northern areas especially the Rio Hondo are rising slowly and are encroaching on villages including Douglas, San Victor, San Roman, Santa Cruz, San Antonio and San Estephan. The Belize River Valley is still being monitored as a likely area for flooding.
The forecast is for no significant rain for the next 24 – 48 hours.
The Situation:
The National Emergency Coordinator and members of the NEMO Secretariat visited the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts (northern Belize), this morning June 05, 2008 to meet with the two (2) District Emergency Committees (DEC), explore the possible scenarios and discuss contingency plans for northern Belize.
Bridges and Roads:
Work is underway for the construction of temporary bridges at Mullins River, Soldier Creek and Kendal. However, the temporary facility to provide for vehicular movement across Kendal Creek linking the Southern Highway is estimated to take up to one week. NEMO has informed that the Government of Belize has agreed to sponsor the cost of crossing the creek by boat. Passengers are presently being transported to and from the crossing by public service vehicles at no additional cost.
The Humming Bird Highway is now passable by all vehicular traffic.
Relief Efforts:
• NEMO is continuing with the distribution of Relief Supplies to victims in the southern Belize.
• The preliminary Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) report is still being finalized and is expected to be distributed shortly.
• Food and water are also being provided to affected communities in northern Belize where access routes have been flooded out.
Actions by the CDERA Coordinating Unit:
Due to the extent and type of the damage to Southern Belize that was identified by the Initial Damage Assessment Report and the declaration of Disaster Areas in Stann Creek District and parts of Belize District, CDERA in consultation with NEMO has upgraded the Flood Event in Belize from a Level 1 to that of a Level 2 event.
A Level 2 event means that the situation is managed at the national level and does not overwhelm the socio-economic structure or capacity to respond within the affected state. In such cases, the primary assistance at the regional/international level will be limited to providing technical expertise to the National Disaster Organization or facilitating their access to specific resources (including finance), which may be required due to the particular disaster or event.
CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as appropriate.
Contact Details: the CDERA CU 24Hr contact number is 246-425-0386
