Weather - Greater Belize Media

Belizeans in Florida Share Their Experiences As Hurricane Milton Approaches

Belizean Shadini Henry continues to prepare as Category 5 Hurricane Milton barrels towards Florida. Henry, who has been living in Florida for the past eight years, says that she has stocked up on essential items. She lives in St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, another Belizean, Christine Jones, who lives in Ruskin Town south of Tampa, says that she too continues to make preparations as Milton nears.

Hurricane Milton surged into a Category 5 storm over the record-warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. As it continues to grow in size, there is a chance its category could drop, but the storm’s impact is expected to cover a much broader area. Belizeans in the Yucatan Peninsula have prepared.

Milton is projected to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday, with its dangerous eye and eyewall potentially hitting anywhere from Cedar Key in the north to Naples in the south, including the Tampa and Fort Myers regions. Just 10 days after Hurricane Helene ravaged Florida’s Gulf Coast with a storm surge and struck the Big Bend as a Category 4 storm, officials are urging residents still in recovery to evacuate or brace for another life-threatening storm.

According to Henry, she had a challenge finding water. ‘Water…couldn’t even find water in the stores. Luckily, we found some afterwards. We have both of our vehicles full with gas, but it was hard. All the gas. I imagine today because we got our fill last night. It was hard to find gas to fill the cars, but I imagine by today they’re all gone. They’re all out. We have stacked up on non-perishable items.” Henry and her family still have items following Hurricane Helene. “We made sure we went out, and we got some rechargeable lights. We are going to make sure that we have all the lights, all the devices, and everything charged to keep the kids entertained.”

Henry explained that although her neighbourhood isn’t prone to flooding, her family has a plan in place if mandatory evacuations are issued. “We live in a zone that doesn’t typically flood, which is why we’ve decided to stay home. But with two younger kids, if an evacuation order comes, we will definitely listen and move to a hotel as our backup plan,” she shared. Discussing her mental state, Henry remained calm. “I have to be,” she said. “It’s not good to panic, because you can’t think clearly when you do. I have control over my mind that way, so I’m staying calm.” Her family back in Belize has been checking in frequently.

Meanwhile, back in Ruskin, Jones is not thrilled. She said that while her area has avoided direct hits in the past, the possibility of a major storm reaching Tampa is unsettling. “We haven’t had a direct hit in about 100 years, so this is very concerning.” Jones lives in Zone C, an area not currently under evacuation orders, but she remains cautious. “Zones A and B have been told to evacuate, so I’m waiting to see what will happen in my area,” she explained. In preparation, she has been helping neighbours put up shutters and plans to do the same for her home. She has also stocked up on gas and non-perishable food, ensuring she’s ready for at least a week.

Recalling damage from Hurricane Ian three years ago, where she lost part of her roof, Jones is hopeful that her new roof will hold up against the storm. “The main concern for me is avoiding flooding and hoping my roof doesn’t blow off again,” she said. Jones stays in constant contact with her family back in Belize, where she has eight siblings and her relatives in Florida. “We have a family page where we keep in touch and get regular updates,” she shared. She also praised the Belizean Association in Florida, which she discovered about a year ago. “They do great work, especially supporting underprivileged children in Belize.”

Janine Sylvestre, Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida, urged Belizeans to prepare for Hurricane Milton. She advised residents to gather essential supplies, update hurricane plans for pets and elderly family members, and heed evacuation orders if necessary. The Consulate is available for emergency services at 305-300-7520.

Belizean Living in Merida Prepares for Hurricane Milton

Thirty-year-old Windel Castillo has made preparations as category 5 hurricane Milton is expected to brush the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico, heading toward Florida. A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan state, which is expected to be sideswiped by the storm.

Castillo has been living in Merida for quite some time. When he heard that Milton had intensified into a category 5 storm, Castillo told News 5, “To be honest with you, I was not in such a panic because we had had Beryl, and then it went up, and now Milton, which is a Category 5.”

He added, “So I didn’t go in a panic; I just did what I know, which is getting my canned food, making sure that I have enough water, and the basic preparations that you need for like any hurricane.”

Castillo, who has been living in Merida for about three years, shared that this is the first time that they are experiencing back-to-back hurricanes. “So I always make sure I’m prepared, and for the last three months it’s been raining almost every day… I live on the north side. So normally the north side doesn’t have much flooding. It’s normally more in the central area, or the south does have a lot of flooding. But again, you always need to make sure you’re on the safe side because we use like water pumps to like get water and everything is connected to the vat.”

Castillo says he will continue to monitor the storm and rely on information provided by local authorities.

Hurricane Milton Is Now Category 5

From the National Hurricane Center:

“Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 5 hurricane. The maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Data from the aircraft also indicate that the minimum pressure has fallen to 925 mb (27.31 inches).”

Milton is expected to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching Florida’s west coast by Wednesday or early Thursday.

The forecast suggests Milton will maintain its strength as it moves inland. Areas that were recently battered by Hurricane Helene are bracing for another hurricane hit. However, the current path may spare some southeastern states that suffered significant devastation just days ago from Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 4

Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 4 hurricane. Milton’s winds reached 150 mph early Monday morning. According to the National Hurricane Centre, the storm is expected to make landfall on Florida’s western Gulf Coast, particularly targeting the Tampa Bay area.

Milton is expected to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching Florida’s west coast by Wednesday or early Thursday.

Hurricane Milton Forms in the Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. As of 1 p.m. today, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported that Milton has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph. Milton is still forecast to intensify into a major hurricane by late Monday.

It is expected to reach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek.

At the moment, the NHC is monitoring three hurricanes: Hurricane Kirk, located over the central subtropical Atlantic Ocean; Hurricane Leslie, located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean; and now Hurricane Milton, located over in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Milton forms in the Gulf of Mexico

The National Hurricane Centre’s latest reports have confirmed the formation of former Tropical Depression Fourteen to Tropical Storm Milton.

Milton’s trajectory will be influenced by a cold front next week, steering it towards the Florida Peninsula. The storm has the potential to become strong, with forecasts indicating it could reach Florida as a strong Category 2 hurricane by Wednesday.

Currently, Milton is expected to intensify slowly over the next day. Rapid strengthening is anticipated during the week. Heavy rainfall and life-threatening flood hazards are expected in the Florida Peninsula.

NHC Monitors Two Systems Brewing in the Atlantic

As Hurricane Helene makes its way through the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring two other developing systems in the Atlantic.

The first, a broad low-pressure system identified as AL98, is situated near the Cabo Verde Islands and is producing disorganised shower and thunderstorm activity. Conditions are favourable for gradual development, with an estimated 60% formation chance.

The second system, AL99, is a low-pressure area located off Bermuda. This system is currently producing storm-force winds. The formation chance for AL99 is low at 10% in the next 48 hours, with a slight increase to 20% over the following week.

Helene Becomes Category 1 Hurricane

Hurricane Helene has rapidly intensified to a Category 1 hurricane this morning as it makes its way toward the Gulf Coast of Florida. It is projected to strengthen further, potentially reaching Category 3 status when it hits Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday.

As of this morning, Helene was located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea near Cozumel, Mexico. It had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Centre.

Hurricane warnings are in effect between the Anaclote River and Mexico Beach, while storm surge warnings have been issued for areas including Tampa Bay. Hurricane watches are also in effect for Cuba and parts of Florida, alongside tropical storm warnings for parts of Florida, Cuba, and Mexico.

NHC Monitors Potential Weather Systems in the Caribbean Sea

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) is closely monitoring several low-pressure systems developing across the Atlantic, with one expected to potentially strengthen in the Caribbean Sea next week.

The NHC indicates that a broad low-pressure system may gradually gain strength in the northwestern Caribbean Sea early next week. While the chance of formation is nearly zero in the next 48 hours, it rises to forty percent over the following week.

In the North Atlantic, an area of low pressure associated with the remnants of Gordon is producing disorganised showers and thunderstorms. The NHC reports that “any additional development of this system is expected to be slow.”

Another low-pressure system located near the northern Leeward Islands has a twenty percent chance of formation in both the next forty-eight hours and the following week.

Belize City Council Says Sudden Flooding not a Drainage Issue

This weekend, Belize City residents were shocked when they discovered that several streets across the city were flooded with up to four inches of water, despite the lack of rainfall. According to the National Hydrological Service, the floodwaters are making their way down the Belize River and emptying out into the Haulover Creek, subsequently flooding several areas along the path. To address the flooding, the Belize City Council has implemented a pumping station to drain the excess water. Over the past few days, the floodwaters have ebbed and flowed in different areas without warning. Deputy Mayor, Allan Pollard tells us that the flooding is more than just a drainage issue.

Allan Pollard, Deputy Mayor, Belize City

“In most of the areas it has gone down, so that we have, we are very thankful for that. But as the expert have indicated to everyone, it’s really It’s a unique situation where the river is actually coming above normal heights on that mixed with high tide is a recipe for disaster, right? We had a meeting yesterday with the mayor and you know we cannot stress enough how much that we have to sensitize people to understand that climate change is real. It’s here. Everybody talks about, in the future when it comes to climate change, but we are actually living in examples of what. What we’re seeing, I’ve never personally seen the river that high. I’ve never seen streets being that flooded without any rainfall. It just shows that it’s not so much of a drainage issue, but just climate change in general. If you look at the seas, for example, someone sent me a video of the area by Hanga yesterday, and to see the sea level that high as well, it just shows overall what we’re going through is something that is very alarming. And we have to make sure that, We are putting the right measures in. The pumping station is one effort, but that alone cannot drain all the water out of Belize City and that’s a pilot program. We have to look at other areas, and we have to ensure that we are keeping up with the maintenance of the city as well to ensure that the water drains off as quickly as possible.”