U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
BELIZE - Hurricane Keith
Fact Sheet #1, Fiscal Year (FY) 2001    October 3, 200


Numbers Affected

- The total number of people affected by the storm is not known at this
time.  Current Situation

- Hurricane Keith has weakened to a tropical depression.  The National
Hurricane Center reported as of 10 AM this morning that the center of the
tropical depression was located inland over the Yucatan Peninsula about 55
miles west of Chetumal, Mexico.

- The depression is moving toward the west-northwest, and this motion is
expected to continue for the next 24 hours.

- Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts.  Little
change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

- As of 10 AM this morning, all watches and warnings for the coasts of
Central America were discontinued.

- Heavy rains are currently affecting portions of the Yucatan Peninsula,
Belize, and Northern Guatemala.  These rains could produce
life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.  Recent ham radio reports
indicate that more than 22 inches of rain have fallen to the west of
Belize City since Saturday, September 30.  Additional rainfall
accumulations resulting from Keith could exceed 10 to 15 inches.

- Damage in Belize is reported to be concentrated in the northernmost
islands and the northern tip of the mainland, particularly in San Pedro, a
tourist resort on Ambergris Caye off the coast, and Caye Caulker, a tiny
island 19 miles east of Belize City.

- Structural damage from wind and water is said to be extensive.

- Evacuations are underway in the northern part of the country. The
population of Belize City was also advised to evacuate to the capital city
of Belmopan.

- No deaths have been reported in Belize yet.


U.S. Government Response

- A five-member component of a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
from USAID/BHR/OFDA's Regional Office in Costa Rica deployed to Belize
today, October 3, arriving at Belize City's airport, via a chartered light
aircraft, at 1:00 PM (EST.

- A second component of the DART consisting of five Miami Dade Fire and
Rescue Personnel, a USAID Press Officer, and a USAID/Washington Operations
Coordinator plan to deploy from Miami to Belize early tomorrow morning,
October 4.

- A pre-packaged module of relief commodities, including blankets, plastic
sheeting, water jugs, and a health kit designed to assist 1,000
individuals, will be deployed with the team from Miami.


Relief Efforts

- The Belize Red Cross Society is working closely with the Belize National
Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) who will have the lead in
national disaster response. Background

- After a long holding pattern off shore, Hurricane Keitth made landfall
over southeastern Mexico and northeastern Belize on the morning of
October 1.

- The U.S. Ambassador to Belize declared a disaster in response to the
hurricane on October 2.

- Both sea and air transport from islands from the mainland stopped at 2
PM on Saturday, September 30.  Telephone and internet communications were
interrupted mid-day, Sunday, October 1.


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