Message: The centre of Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall near the Town of Dangriga at approximately 12:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. EST), with maximum winds of around 60 mph. All clear declared at 5.00pm local time.

Event

Tropical Storm Harvey passed over southern Belize on Saturday, August 20, 2011 with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph with higher gusts. The centre of the storm passed just north of the town of Dangriga and moved inland over the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts.

Between 2 to 5 inches of rainfall was reported in the southern districts which are causing flash floods in the low lying areas. The Kendal River is rising steadily and the Kendal Bridge, which links the Southern Highway, will soon be impassable.

Prognosis

At 6:00 p.m. EST today, August 20, 2011, the centre of Tropical Storm Harvey was located near Latitude 17.2 north; Longitude 88.8 west near to the Belize Guatemala Border.  Harvey is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h).  A general motion toward the west or west-northwest is expected for the next couple of days.  On this forecast track, the center of Harvey will move further inland over Belize this afternoon and cross northern Guatemala tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph

Harvey is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across Belize, Guatemala, western Honduras and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico with possible isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches.  These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides especially over higher terrain.

Impact

There are no reports of casualties or fatalities as yet.

Preliminary reports in the northern areas where the “All Clear” has already been issued indicate that:

There are some houses damaged and destroyed in Crocked Tree village in the Belize District.
A Church suffered major damaged in San Lazaro village in the Orange Walk District.
Flash flooding in low lying areas.

There are reports of wind damage to buildings in the southern districts, but the extent of damage are not yet verified by the National Emergency Operation Centre due to the area still under Tropical Storm Warning.

National Actions

At 5.00 pm local time, the National Emergency Management Organization issued the “All Clear” for all of Belize.

The National Emergency Management Organization has opened shelters in Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo districts.

The National Emergency Operations Centre is activated inn Belmopan and the District Emergency Operations Centers in Dangriga and Punta Gurda towns are also fully activated.

Search and Rescue and Initial Damage Assessment operations have commenced.

Regional Response

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit established and maintained contact with the National Emergency Operations Centre in Belize since Friday August 19, 2011. CDEMA will continue to monitor the situation and stands ready to provide assistance if warranted.

Contact Details: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386