Hurricane watch - Belize has been discontinued

Belmopan, September 4, 2007- The hurricane watch for the country of Belize has been discontinued, but a tropical storm watch remains in effect for southern Belize from Independence Village southwards.

At 9:00 am this morning Hurricane Felix was moving westward over eastern Honduras as a Category Three hurricane and weakening. The only threat this system poses to Belize at this time will be in the form of torrential rainfall and possible flooding over the Toledo and southern Stann Creek Districts.

NEMO has therefore declared the “all clear” for the country of Belize with effect from mid-day today, except for that area in the south where the tropical storm watch remains in effect.

At a meeting of NEMO this morning, chaired by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Said Musa, it was decided that the State of Emergency for the country of Belize be lifted with effect from 12 noon today.

Persons who have sought refuge in shelters may now return to their homes; however, shelters will remain open in the southern areas of Belize as the threat of torrential rains and widespread flooding remains possible in the tropical storm watch area.

With the declaration of the “all clear”, conditions around the country return to normal. Public Officers are required to report back to work today. All schools should also resume classes, except for Primary Schools, which remain closed until Tuesday, September 11th 2007. Businesses and elements of the private sector who had been on hurricane alert can return to their normal routine.


END

For more information contact:
NEMO
Tel: 822-2054