NEMO: Unprecedented flood conditions seen in Western Belize – as much as 500 families displaced

Published by BBN Staff at November 8, 2020

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Posted: Sunday, November 8, 2020. 10:39 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) today described the flooding situation in the Cayo district as “unprecedented,” and noted that several villages were severely impacted.

NEMO issued an update to the flood situation this evening, which said that the Macal and Mopan rivers in the Cayo District and the Sibun and Belize Rivers in the Belize District are still at major flood stage.

“Every village from Arenal to Roaring Creek have been affected. Most impacted communities with devastating damages are Arenal, Benque, Paslow Falls, Calla Creek, Bullet Tree Falls, Santa Familia, Blackman Eddy, and other downstream villages including Roaring Creek,” NEMO said. “Overall close figures and estimates indicating as much as 500 families are temporarily displaced who opted to stay mostly with family or friends.”

NEMO’s preliminary estimates say that as much as 500 families are temporarily displaced, many of them opting to stay with family and friends; however, many have checked themselves into emergency shelters.

A total of 159 persons are in eight shelters. In Cayo 5 shelters are open with a total of 148 persons, one shelter in Crooked Tree with six persons, and one in Belize City with five persons. There continues to be major flood damage to residential property, utilities, farms, and road infrastructure; fortunately, there have not been any reports of lives lost or missing persons as a result of the flood.

NEMO said that the floodwaters are now spreading out after breaking the banks of the Belize River, with a flood warning now out for the Belize River Valley. Severe flooding is being observed in Scotland Halfmoon, Rancho Dolores, and Lemonal. Additionally, parts of Mile 1, 8, and 12 communities, Hattieville, Freetown Sibun, and Gracie Rock are experiencing flooding.

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