FLOOD WATERS CONTINUE TO AFFECT BELIZE AND ORANGE WALK DISTRICTS

October 30, 2008

Flood waters continue to flow downstream from the Belize River. Areas of concern today is the Belize River Valley communities and some areas in the Orange walk District. Hydrologist Rudolph Williams explains.

Rudolph Williams; Hydrologist, National Met Service

“Near to the Belize River Valley area we are still concern about the persistent water on the Northern Highway near Grace Bank, the Belize River continue to spill over near the Grace bank and Biscayne Area so this water level is peaking near the Crooked Tree Lagoon. We have noticed that the Crooked Tree Lagoon is steady at this time and this is an indication that for this event the water level has peaked. Coming down towards the Maypen Area where the Crooked Tree Lagoon empties out water levels continue to rise very slowly in that area. Above Maypen near St. Paul’s, Willows Bank and Double Head Cabbage river levels are falling slowly and near Bermudian Landing, Isabella Bank and Flowers Bank river levels are steady so it would seem that there is very little change occurring in the water levels. Near Rancho and Lemonal the Spanish Creek level is falling. Near Double Run where our reference station is the water levels continue to rise very slowly and near Burrell Boom the water level is rising very slowly so all of this is indicating that the flood wave has already peaked in the valley area. The flood wave is now moving towards Belize City. It continues to rise very slowly near the sewing factory area. Near the Manatee Lookout the water is still spilling over the highway but the depth is not increasing. As we go down towards Belize City there are about three points along the highway where water is spilling over the highway and this is expected to continue throughout the day and water levels will increase during periods of high tides.”

Williams says that they are also paying close attention to the water ways in the north as levels continue to rise in those areas.

Rudolph Williams; Hydrologist, National Met Service 

“In the northern part of the country the Blue Creek and the Rio Hondo area had peaked and it is rising very slowly. Flood stage continues to rise rapidly near San Antonio, San Roman and San Victor Villages. In Douglas the water levels is rising rapidly and this is in line with what we have been saying that we expect this wave to be approaching the Douglas area. We have received reports that many of the villagers are evacuating the village for higher grounds. The New River near Tower Hill is peaking but still remains below the Keith stage and near Caledonia the level is falling. These areas will continue to experience sustained river levels for an extended period of time. The New River and the Rio Hondo based on the historical records that we have can stay up for at least a month or a month and a half before they get back to normal. So we should be preparing for this eventuality. On the Sibun River we have seen that the water levels have started to recede and this may be some good news for the Western Highway where it has been compromised at several culverts. We are seeing that the water level is receding which will allow the wetlands to start to drain off the highway.”

Hydrologist Rudolph Williams.

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