A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
Tropical Cyclone Earl made landfall on 4 August, with wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, as estimated by National Hurricane Center of the United States. As of 9am (GMT -6) on 4 August Tropical Cyclone Earl’s centre (Category 1) was located at approximately 189 miles eastsoutheast of Half Moon Caye, 231 miles east-southeast of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 230 miles east of Dangriga, 236 miles east-southeast of Belize City, 271 miles east-southeast of Corozal Town, and 267 miles east of Punta Gorda Town. The cyclone was moving west at about 14 miles per hour. At its centre the hurricane was estimated to have wind speeds of 70 miles per hour. The Belize National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) urged people to secure their homes, properties, businesses or livestock as Tropical Cyclone Earl approached the country.
Major infrastructure and building damage are reported by NEMO. Roads and streets are blocked in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Belize City, and Ladyville, Belize River Valley, Orange Walk, Belmopan and other affected areas. Schools, markets, civil and international flights and ports have were closed during the passage of the storm, while government hospitals were on standby.Electricity and water supply were also affected in several parts of the country. The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) resumed operations on 4 August.
After the passage of the hurricane, NEMO prioritized search and rescue, medical care, sheltering and looking after people affected, clearing of debris along the highways, restoration of utilities, inspection of airports and seaports.
The Ministry of Works is clearing the main highways. NEMO responded to flash flooding in the Cayo District. Communities along the Macal and Mopan River were instructed to seek higher ground after the passage of the storm. In addition, NEMO issued alerts to the population to not stay in buildings near floodwaters and to activate flood plans. Heavy rains and wind hampered the initial damage assessments in the days following the storm. The government undertook an aerial survey in the afternoon of 4 August.
This DREF has been partially replenished by DG ECHO. The major donors and partners of the DREF include the Red Cross Societies and governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the USA, as well as DG ECHO, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) the Medtronic and Zurich Foundations and other corporate and private donors. The IFRC, on behalf of the Belize Red Cross Society would like to extend many thanks to all partners for their generous contributions.
Please refer to the original Emergency Plan of Action for further information on the DREF operation – the “Operational Strategy” and “Operational support services” remains unchanged.