ADVISORY NO. 12 - TROPICAL STORM GAMMA
By NEMO Information Unit
Nov 20, 2005, 03:05 am
NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (NEMO) BELIZE
ADVISORY NO. 12 20 NOV 2005 3:00 AM
TROPICAL STORM GAMMA
Gamma weakening as it meanders off the northern coast of Honduras.
The preliminary phase of the hurricane emergency plan for Belize remains in effect.
At 3:00 am the centre of tropical storm gamma was located near 16.7 degrees north latitude and 85.0 degrees west longitude or about 220 miles east by south of Belize city, 215 miles east-southeast of San Pedro, ambergris Caye and 255 miles east by north of Punta Gorda.
Gamma is drifting towards the north at 2 mph, and some erratic motion is possible.
Maximum sustained winds are now near 40 mph and gamma could weaken to a tropical depression during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the centre, mainly northeast of the center.
Gusty winds are likely in showers and seas will remain rough with waves or swells of 6 to 8 feet possible. The marine community is advised to remain in safe harbour until further notice.
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 during the past 36 hours. This is producing floods on the Macal and Mopan rivers, privassion, barton and roaring creeks, caves branch, sibun and the north Stann Creek river. The wooden bridge in San Ignacio/ Santa Elena has been closed. The Belize river is still rising and will continue to rise.
Vehicular traffic is advised to exercise caution as visibility will be reduced in heavy rain and low lying areas may become flooded.
The next advisory on GAMMA will be issued by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) at 9:00 am on SUNDAY.
NEMO BELIZE 20 NOV 2005
END