Hurricane Earl hits Belize

FP Staff • August 4, 2016, 23:07:59 IST

Belize’s National Emergency Management Organization had warned of a threat of flash floods and mudslides and flooding in low-lying areas.

A hurricane packing 130 kilometer per hour winds and heavy rain made landfall in Central America near Belize’s capital, where officials warned of likely flooding and damage to homes Thursday. Earl swept in from the Caribbean at hurricane strength to strike just south of Belize City, population 60,000, around midnight Wednesday (0600 GMT Thursday), according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Reuters

The storm weakened as it moved inland, and by 1200 GMT the NHC had downgraded it from a hurricane to a tropical storm with 65 mile (105 kilometer) per hour winds. Earl was expected to dissipate further as it moves across northern Guatemala and southern Mexico, the NHC said. Reuters

The fifth named tropical storm of the 2016 season, Earl strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday, according to the NHC. Winds initially measured at 120 kilometers per hour picked up just before landfall. Reuters

Belizean public and private sector workers were permitted to go to their homes Wednesday to secure property. Officials warned that people living on the ground floor “will experience flooding” and some older wooden buildings would likely be destroyed. Reuters

A bicycle and debris are seen along the beach, after Hurricane Earl hit Belize City. Belize’s National Emergency Management Organization had warned of a threat of flash floods and mudslides and flooding in low-lying areas. Reuters