OCHA Situation Report No. 4 Belize-Nicaragua-Mexico: Tropical Storm "Keith" 3 October 2000
This message is not an official hurricane warning or alert for any country. Tropical Storm "Keith" 3 October 2000 - 0900 hrs GMT - Latitude- 18.3 north - Longitude - 88.7 west (inland over Yucatan Peninsula or about 20 miles/ 32 km southwest of Chetumal , Mexico) - A tropical storm warning remains in effect for the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize, from Cabo Catoche (Mexico) to Monkey River Town (Belize). A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the north coast of Yucatan from Cabo Catoche to Progreso. - Tropical Storm "Keith" is moving toward the northwest near 6-mph/9km/hr. Maximum sustained winds near 55-mph/90 km/hr with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast for the next 24 hours. Source: The National Weather Centre in Miami. For further information and updates on Tropical Storm "Keith," please refer to the National Hurricane Centre (USA) at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov Impact of Tropical Storm "Keith" Belize Situation 1. Now a tropical storm, "Keith" is still causing heavy rains in most of the country and near hurricane force winds in the northern Cayes and the coastline between Belize City and Corozal. 2. Continuing harsh weather conditions and the lack of communications with the affected regions are impairing assessment operations. Preliminary reports indicate that rivers continue to rise in the central and northwestern parts of the country and along river routes to the coast. The Western Highway linking Belize City to Belmopan and the west and south of Belize is beginning to flood and only high vehicles can now pass. Some bridges along the portion of road between the capital Belmopan and the rest of the Cayo district are near to being flooded. 3. No deaths have been reported so far. 4. Under the prevailing conditions (hurricane weather conditions and lack of communications) it is still difficult to determine the number of people affected and the main emergency requirements. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has dispatched a team to do a rapid assessment in the most affected areas. Preliminary requirements are most likely to be shelter and food. National response 5. On 2 October 2000, the Government of Belize declared a national state of emergency, and all elements of the Belize Defence Force have been called out. The International Airport remains closed. NEMO informs that the key threat is now flooding and procedures are in place for evacuation from flooded areas and for search and rescue operations. Further information on this emergency can be found on NEMO's web page: ht tp://www.nemo.org.bz Request for international assistance 6. No request for international assistance has been issued by the Government of Belize so far. UN system response 7. The UN Emergency Disaster Management Team continues its coordination meetings in close contact with NEMO and the donor community in Belize. NEMO's Foreign Assistance Committee has been informed about of the assistance that can be offered by the UN and its relevant emergency response agencies. A tentative response action plan has been discussed and an assessment is being made of suppliers/supplies in Belize and in Mexico. Nicaragua 8. In view of the risk of flooding and landslides, the Red Alert was declared in all the Pacific zone of the country and the Yellow alert in the rest of the country (announcement made on 1 October, 2000, by the National Emergency Committee presided by the Vice President of the Republic). 9. The Nicaraguan Civil Defence has reported that the most affected departments are Leon, Chinandega, Managua, Granada and Rivas. Some 2,300 people have been evacuated and local schools are being used as temporary shelters. Local authorities are coordinationg the provision of food and medical supplies. Mexico 10. Torrential rains continue in the States of Campeche, Quintanta Roo, Yucatan (state of emergency declared by the authorities) and the States of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Veracruz (state of alert declared by the authorities). The population in these areas has been advised to exercise caution and follow closely the instructions/recommendations issued by the local authorities. Further information on the impact of Tropical Storm Keith in Mexico can be found through the Governing Secretariat web page: http://www.gobernacion.gob.mx 11. This situation report, together with further information on ongoing emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34 Fax: +41-22-917 00 23 In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10 Desk Officers: Mr. E. Haegglund / Mr. C. Monteiro-Pereira / Ms. M. Kondo Direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99 / 13 83 / 19 97 Press contact: (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53 distributed by - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Volunteers in Technical Assistance Disaster Information Center lists: www.vita.org/listsub.htm sitreps nat-dsr web: www.vita.org fireline - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -