Mexico, Guatemala, Belize - Tropical Cyclone EARL UPDATE

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 03:07:00 +02:00

The government of Belize declared a state of emergency on Thursday, 4 August 2016, which will remain in place for 30 days.
TC EARL continued moving west-northwest over land, passing through central Belize and northern Guatemala and weakening into a Tropical Storm. On 5 August at 6.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 60 km south-southeast of Ciudad del Carmen (Campeche state, Mexico) and it had max. sustained wind speed of 65 km/h (Tropical Storm).
IFRC initial assessments indicate significant logistics, transportation and communication challenges due to the isolation of numerous communities country-wide, widespread power outages due to hurricane damage to power lines, most homes lack water, electricity and telecommunication services, houses are destroyed or suffer damage due to flooding and landslides and many families have lost both personal and household effects. Most urgent needs are distribution of cleaning supplies to residents of affected communities, supply of food and water and non-perishables to established emergency collective centres and cut off communities.
A detailed damage assessment and needs analysis are required. A Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) operation is being drafted. ECHO continues the close monitoring of the situation.

Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras - Tropical Cyclone EARL

Thu, 04 Aug 2016 03:20:00 +02:00

TC EARL continued moving west over the Caribbean Sea, strengthening and making landfall near Belize city on 4 August early morning (UTC), as a Hurricane Category 1. On 4 August at 6.00 UTC its centre was located approx. 10 km south-west of Belize city (Belize) and it had max. sustained wind speed of 130 km/h (Hurricane Category 1).
Over the next 24 h it is forecast to continue moving west over land, weakening. It may move over the southern Yucatan peninsula of Mexico or northern Guatemala on 4 August evening (UTC). Heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge may affect the areas along its path.
As of 4 August early morning (UTC), a hurricane warning is in effect for southern Puerto Costa Maya (Mexico), Belize and northern Guatemala, as well as a Tropical Storm Warning from northern Puerto Costa Maya to Punta Allen (Mexico). As of the same date, the Honduras Government has issued a Red Alert for the Bay Islands.
Heavy rain has already been affecting northern Honduras, with approx. 123 mm of rain in 24 h recorded in Tela (Atlantida department) over 3-4 August. Local media of Honduras, as of 4 August early morning (UTC), report one person injured in San Pedro Sula (Cortes department), over 54 evacuated in the departments of Colon and Bay islands and several homes damaged in the municipality of Omoa (Cortes department). They also reported several flights cancelled from Bay Islands. ECHO continues the close monitoring of the situation.