Belize to declare tropical storm watch for effects of Hurricane Beryl this evening

By Aaron Humes: From 6 p.m. this evening, the northern coastline of Belize from Belize City to the Belize-Mexico border will be under tropical storm watch for effects from Hurricane Beryl. This has been confirmed by the National Meteorological Service, National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), and Prime Minister John Briceño, who approved the declaration this afternoon.

As of 3 p.m., the storm continued on a west-northwest track at 22 miles per hour and is presently situated 420 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, carrying winds of 155 miles per hour.

A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, about 36 to 48 hours before landfall.

Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon says that while non-zero probabilities remain of the storm shifting course, the models since Monday show that the storm’s most probable path remains approaching and crossing Jamaica, then going north of the Cayman Islands and Belize into the Yucatan Peninsula.

But he cautioned that wherever the point of landfall is, effects can still be had elsewhere: “Even if it makes landfall where it is projected to do, we do know that the hurricane-force winds and tropical-storm-force winds extend further away from that particular center.”

Nonetheless, the forecast is for the storm to weaken in the coming hours and also slow down slightly upon reaching our area, after maintaining a speed of 22 miles per hour since its formation. However, it remains possible that in a worst-case scenario, the storm could maintain its strength upon landing.

As preparations continue, NEMO Coordinator Daniel Mendez confirmed that there was no need at this time to declare a curfew. However, he encouraged those in low-lying and flood-prone areas to begin to make preparations to move. While things remain slightly uncertain, Belizeans should keep their heads and stay tuned to official updates issued through the press from NEMO and the Met.

The next update will be at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, by which time Beryl should be closing in on Jamaica.

 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

 

© 2024, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.