NEMO BULLETIN #2-Hurricane Dean

Belmopan, 19^th August 2007-              The National Emergency Management Organization held its second meeting in Belmopan this morning to consider the possible threat of Hurricane Dean to Belize and to review the status of preparedness of its various operational committees.

The Chairpersons of the NEMO Committees were briefed by the acting Chief Meteorologist, Mr. Ramon Frutos on Hurricane Dean’s current

Belize's National Emergency Coordinator, Lt. Col (Ret'd) George Lovell, standing, chairs NEMO meeting focused on the preparations for Hurricane Dean.

NEMO also reviewed the plans of it Operational Committees, specifically evacuation, shelter, and relief and supplies in order to prepare for a possible declaration of the Preliminary Phase of Belize’s Hurricane Plan early Monday morning.

The National Meteorological Services have informed the committee that Tropical Storm conditions will most likely affect the Northern Cayes and Northern areas of Belize sometime Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Dean is a strengthening category four hurricane located near latitude 17.0 north and longitude 75.1 west and moving west near 18 mph with maximum sustained winds near 145 mph.  Hurricane Dean is expected to move between west and west – northwest over the next 24 hours. 

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles.

NEMO strongly urges persons living in the Cayes and Northern Belize to continue monitoring the movement of Hurricane Dean and to begin to take precautionary measures to protect life and property.

1. Put into effect your family hurricane plan and begin to move to safe grounds throughout today and tomorrow.

2. People moving by boats should be aware that squally conditions may be experienced on the sea by Monday night.

3. People living in low-lying and valley areas should be aware that heavy rain fall is expected and this may cause flash floods.

 
The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, and the Minister responsible for National Emergency Management, the Hon. Godfrey Smith, have been fully briefed on the situation with regard to the threat of Hurricane Dean.  The Prime Minister has called a meeting of Cabinet for Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. to consider what further action should be taken in light of the possible impact Hurricane Dean and its aftermath may have on Belize.

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