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National Hydrological Service Update on Flooding along Belize's River System

Flood waters flowing from the Mopan River are moving down stream faster than what has been recorded in previous flooding, according to the National Hydrological Service. Principal Hydrologist Tennielle Hendy says that as recent as Wednesday, the hydrological station in Benque Viejo del Carmen recorded flood waters moving at very high velocities from neighboring Guatemala into Belize. According to Hendy, the large magnitude of flood waters moving along Belize's river system is leading to wide spread flooding. Here is how she explained it, when we spoke with her over the phone.

On the Phone: Tennielle Hendy, Principal Hydrologist

"What is happening is that the flow is very high at the head waters. By headwaters I am speaking in the Benque side. Visiting that area yesterday, we saw very high velocities starting way up by the Guatemala border as far as we could have seen, very high velocities, very turbulent and we are seeing that being extended throughout the river system. In connection with our observers on the river system, because we have physical persons who monitor the rivers for us and take our measurements, they report to the office that as far as Isabella Bank, coming down in to Bermudan Landing, Scotland Half Moon, we are seeing flood waters already reaching those areas. It is a bit quicker than what we normally see for this system than when we have such flood events. The magnitude of this flood, and I am speaking in regard to the flow, it is such high flow that it is causing what we call oxbows, so the flood waters are not taking the path of the river, it is creating its own path, or an additional path, because the channels have already been filled, it cannot take more water and its already spread out as far as its can. So it is creating a temporary branch of the river."

Two Waves of Flood Waters from Neighboring Guatemala Entered Belize

Since Sunday, there have been waves of floodwaters moving through Belize's river system. This explains why the floodwaters in the Mopan and Belize Rivers receded temporarily before rising once again. Principal Hydrologist Tennielle Hendy also addressed the concerns of residents living in the Belize River Valley, in light of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Iota and Eta.

On the Phone: Tennielle Hendy, Principal Hydrologist

"What we seen is that we have had two waves within the span of two days. I believe it was on Sunday Monday that we saw the Benque Viejo Station at Succotz exceed the levels of Mitch, receded and the next day it is already up back at those same levels exceeding Mitch Levels. So, we are seeing more than one flood waves coming down and most of this is related to the trans-boundary aspect of flooding. Some flood waters will reach that community, to say specifically that you are going to get a number of feet in your area that is not possible because there is a lot of landscape throughout the riverine system, so it will spread out and the rest will go down the river system. To put into perspective, we don't expect it to be as bad as Eta and Iota. I think that is resident in a lot of the public minds. When we had Eta and Iota it was so horrible, are we expecting the same thing? From what we are seeing, we don't expect it to be that bad. But, it is still at a level that we need to be concern and so we remain vigilant."

Channel 5

NEMO ADVISORY NO. 7

FLOODING IN CENTRAL BELIZE
As at 5:30 PM Friday, 14th October 2022

NEMO and the Hydrology Department hereby advise that on the Belize River, increasing water levels continue as floodwaters move downstream to the coast. On the Crooked Tree Lagoon, levels are expected to exceed the causeway. On the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town, decreasing flood levels are expected to continue. On the Macal River at all BECOL facilities, decreasing levels are expected; and at San Ignacio, decreasing flood levels will continue. Flood levels on the Sibun River at Freetown Sibun are expected to begin decreasing. Floodwaters are rising fast in the Belize District which is affecting and will affect Isabella Bank, Lemonal, Rancho Dolores, Willows Bank, Double Head Cabbage, Bermudian Landing, Scotland Halfmoon, Flowers Bank, Burrell Boom, Maypen, Crooked Tree, Gracie Rock, Freetown Sibun, 8 miles and, quite possibly, Belize City.

Bridges and ferries that are closed include Gracie Rock Hammock Bridge, Iguana Creek Bridge, San Ignacio Wooden Bridge, the Xunantunich and the Baking Pot ferries. Access to Freetown by road is by high vehicles only.

Ninety-six (96) people (or some 25 families) are now in four (4) shelters in the Cayo District. The Ministry of Rural Transformation and NEMO's Relief Supplies Committee are distributing water to the communities that are without water in Cayo.

In San Ignacio and Santa Elena, BWSL informs that residents will experience water interruption daily due to damage to its main pump. Residents will experience daily water interruptions starting today, October 14th, 2022, until 4:45 a.m. and possibly throughout the weekend. This is necessary to maintain storage levels so that residents will have water during peak hours. Monitor water usage.

NEMO continues to advise the public of the following: If you live near to a river, creek or low-lying area, take the necessary actions to save your life. Avoid walking, playing and driving through floodwaters. If your home is likely to flood, before leaving, secure your home, unplug appliances, turn off electricity, gas and main water valve, and secure your documents and your pet. Check on the elderly and people with disabilities. If you need to seek shelter, move early; do not wait until it is too late. Farmers in the Belize River Valley and Crooked Tree areas should move livestock and crops to a safe place. Residents are advised to secure and move their belongings, livestock and pets to higher grounds. Move early!

The public is advised to wash hands thoroughly before touching food and handling water. In flooded areas, boil or purify water before drinking it. As much as possible, use bottled water for drinking and preparing and cooking food or treat with bleach (Clorox); add one (1) tablespoon of bleach to five (5) gallons of water. Mix the bleach and water completely and leave to stand for 30 minutes before using, or treat with water purification tablets according to directions on the package. Store one (1) gallon per day for each person in your home for drinking and cooking.

The public is advised to stay away from downed power lines.

NEMO's emergency hotline is 936. Continue to take necessary actions to save lives and protect property!

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While the country still faces the flooding impact of Hurricane Julia, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development & Housing has been on the ground working tirelessly to address the urgent repairs and upgrades of damaged roadways. In the Cayo District, culverts in Cristo Rey and Calla Creek villages were completely washed away, disconnecting residents from water sources and halting transportation for days. The MIDH has already graded and replaced the culvert on the Calla Creek-Bullet Tree road, and works continue in Cristo Rey to replace the culvert to allow residents to access water.

Preliminary Flood Impacts Currently Stand in the Tens of Millions of Dollars

Hurricane Julia swept through Central America almost two weeks ago and left in its wake several countries coping with flood damages. In Belize, early estimates are that tens of millions of dollars in losses or damages have been identified, with more projected in the coming days as the waters continue to push across the landscape toward the Caribbean Sea. In many instances where damage was reported, residents in the Cayo District lost access to clean drinking water when their wells got contaminated. Today at the National Assembly, Prime Minister John Briceño said that there is a budget of five million dollars that can be used immediately - the accounting for which will be shared at the next house meeting.

Prime Minister John Briceño

"The main effects of Hurricane Julia is damage to homes and subsistence farmers and people's livelihoods, especially the residents of the Belize, Toledo and Cayo Districts. Our infrastructure, crops, livestock, household items, people's personal assets, even like vehicles. We saw one I think was in Benque where heavy flooding actually washed away a small SUV - and equipment were all affected by those who were in the way of the rising waters. Initial reports from the Disaster Risk Management is that fifty communities, an approximately twenty thousand people have been affected, of course some more than others. As we speak, we still have four shelters remaining open, three in the western villages - one in Calla Creek and one in More Tomorrow. As of this past Saturday, ninety-six persons were being house in these four shelters. Of course, Madam Speaker we're happy that no lives were lost, but many lives were affected, with some families losing everything due to the flooding. Preliminary assessments indicate that cost for the impacted communities is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars with a higher amount attributed to the agriculture, tourism and infrastructure sectors."

Channel 5