Hydrology Unit Warns Flash Flood Threat Remains

And, as floodwaters continue to impact parts of southern Belize today, officials from the National Hydrological Service remained focused on monitoring river levels, flash flooding threats, and the movement of heavy rainfall across the country.  Chief Hydrology Officer Tennielle Hendy says the greatest concern at this time remains the potential for flash flooding, particularly in areas that continue to receive intense rainfall over short periods. While several rivers remain below critical levels, hydrologists are keeping a close watch on conditions as runoff from recent rains make its way through watersheds and river systems.  Hendy says her team is paying particular attention to vulnerable areas where heavy rainfall could quickly overwhelm drainage systems and cause localized flooding.  Hendy notes that while southern Belize has experienced the brunt of the recent rainfall, weather models indicate that the system is gradually shifting northward, raising concerns for communities in Orange Walk and Corozal districts in the days ahead.

Tennille Hendy, Principal Hydrologist, NHS: “Looking at the new updates that we have we see that area advancing to most of the country and aligning as well with Chief Met in terms of the precipitation moving into the north. We’re also seeing very high potential for flooding in the north as well mainly linked to what we call, we often refer to as localized flooding, it’s actually urban flooding associated with excessive rainfall. So quite literally the entire country has to be on call from what we’re seeing right now. Recall that we have these hills what the rainfall hit those features within the environment they tend to travel rather quickly down the slope and then into the lower lying areas. So if you’re off the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains into the south you definitely need to be on the lookout whenever there’s an excessive rainfall notice or advisory for your area. We have our neighbors Guatemala and Mexico being affected by the event that’s in their area so we also need to be on the lookout for riverine flooding and you have the combination of excessive rainfall. We haven’t seen any real indication of riverine flooding we’re more seeing based on the flash flooding and the rainfall driven flooding, urban flooding that we’re seeing. But I want to also say a caveat that can change as we get the information in, as the system continues to move and water continues to flow where it will go, the situation may change. So stay in tune with the agencies for our updates coming later today.”

According to the latest flood forecast, flood warnings remain in effect for central and southeastern portions of the country, while a flood alert has been issued for the northern districts as weather systems continue moving across Belize. Forecasters are warning that flooding can occur rapidly and with little warning.  The recent flood report indicates that the northern river systems, including the Rio Hondo and New River, remain below or near normal levels at this time. However, with additional rainfall forecast, hydrologists caution that conditions could change quickly if heavy showers persist over the coming days. Meanwhile, Area Representative for Dangriga, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, was also on the ground today alongside NEMO officials, emergency responders, and community leaders as floodwaters affected several low-lying communities in the Stann Creek District.  Zabaneh joined response teams visiting vulnerable areas, including Sarawee and other flood-prone communities along the Hummingbird Highway corridor.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Chairman, Stann Creek NEMO: “I serve as the chair for the Stann Creek NEMO and we’re here at NEMO in Stann Creek monitoring. I want to commend our team who have been working very hard from very early this morning, ensuring that we see all the different areas that have been affected. And we have an activation in place to address the impact of the flooding.”

Harry Arzu, Correspondent: That talk to us about what you saw experience on the road, the flooded road actually?

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Chairman, Stann Creek NEMO: “Yeah, I believe that maybe this is probably in the past 50 or so years, possibly the third time we’ve seen waters as high as we’ve seen them today. So along the road we have a number of areas that have been impacted as I drove through Hummingbird I saw areas all the way from Middle Sex where water had crossed earlier this morning and then when I arrived in Hope Creek we had water across the road as we were entering that area of the ITVET. IT Vet itself under water.”

Zabaneh says while the current focus remains on assisting affected residents, authorities are also preparing for the possibility of additional rainfall and flooding in the coming days.