Tropical Storm Gamma Advisory 8
By NEMO Information Unit
Nov 19, 2005, 12:05 pm
Tropical Storm Gamma has relocated to the Southeast and continues to
drift slowly across the Northwestern Caribbean. The Preliminary Phase
of the Hurricane Emergency Plan remains in effect for Belize.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the
coast of Belize from Belize City Northwards to the Belize/Mexico Border.
At midday the center of Tropical Storm Gamma was located near 16.2
degrees North latitude and 85.2 degrees West longitude. This puts
Tropical Storm Gamma at about 218 miles East by South of Belize City
and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and 240 miles East of Punta Gorda Town.
Gamma is drifting slowly to the North and this is expected to continue for the next 24 hours with an increase in forward speed.
Maximum sustained winds are still near 45 miles per hour. Satellite
imagery shows that Gamma has become slightly less organized and only a
slight increase in strength is likely during the next 24 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outwards up to 105 miles from the
center mainly to the north of the center.
Residents on the cayes and along coastal areas should be prepared for
gusty winds, very rough seas and torrential rain. The marine community
is ordered to remain in harbor until further notice. Waves of 9 to 12
feet are possible.
Persons on the mainland living in low-lying areas or along rivers and
creeks should be prepared for rapidly rising waters and
life-threatening flash floods. Rainfall totals of up to 8 inches have
fallen in the Maya Mountains over the last 24 hours. This is producing
flooding of the Macal and Mopan Rivers. The Privassion, Barton and
Roaring Creeks, Caves Branch, Sibun and the North Stann Creek River are
all flooded.
The wooden bridge in San Ignacio/Santa Elena has been closed due to
flooding and the Belize River is rising and is expected to continue
rising.
Vehicular Traffic is advised to exercise extreme
caution as visibility will be reduced in heavy rains and low-lying
areas will become flooded.
The next advisory on Gamma from the National Emergency Management Organization will be at 3pm local time (2100 UTC) today.
End