Breaking: Belize preparing for direct hit from potential cyclone, possibly at hurricane status

Published by BBNTEAM at October 30, 2022

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Posted: Sunday, October 30, 2022. 5:37 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: This evening, Chief Meteorological Officer Ronald Gordon indicated that the two main forecast models indicate Belize will face a direct hit from Potential Tropical Cyclone 15, likely to become Tropical Storm Lisa later on.

Gordon said that the Euro model has it making landfall on Wednesday evening as a weak tropical storm or tropical depression. The GFS (American) model has it making landfall over southern Belize on Thursday morning as a strong tropical storm or even a minor hurricane.

He summarized the prospects: “Just means that we are very likely to have a landfalling system but exact timing and intensity is still not too certain. Will likely produce heavy rainfall late Wednesday and Thursday with about 2 to 4 inches per day with locally higher amounts. This too can change as we get more information.”

But the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is taking no chances, stating in its first official advisory on the storm at 4:30 this afternoon that “it is likely a hurricane watch will be issued tomorrow for the entire country of Belize,” though it added that it is still too early to say how strong the system will be or where it will land.

NEMO’s committee nationwide are active and meeting to make plans.

NEMO advised to take this time to review your emergency plans and supplies; make early preparations to leave high risk areas such as low-lying areas and vulnerable coastal communities; secure homes, documents, loose objects and flammable material and clear drains to reduce flooding.

And of course, stay tuned to all weather bulletins from the Met Service and NEMO.

A formal press briefing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday and we will have coverage of it for you.

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