Emergency Message
U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
October 26, 2011
Hurricane Rina – Emergency Message #3
Message for U.S. Citizens
Emergency Message
U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize
October 26, 2011
Hurricane Rina – Emergency Message #3
This message is being issued as a third alert to U.S. citizens residing and traveling in Belize to the potential dangers posed by Hurricane Rina. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Belize.
The National Hurricane Center reports that Hurricane Rina is located near latitude 17.9 north, longitude 85.5 west. Hurricane Rina is currently located 190 miles east-southeast of Chetumal, Mexico. Hurricane Rina is moving toward the west at 5 mph (10km/h). Maximum sustained winds are still near 110 mph or 175 km/h. Hurricane Rina is currently a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. The center of Hurricane Rina is predicted to make landfall in the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning; however, the hurrican’s trajectory may change potentially affecting Belize.
The Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) resumed evacutation services for today from all the cayes, including the tourist locations of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, as well as Caye Caulker; with the last evacuation at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST). Please monitor Belize media reports for the latest updates on future evacuations. U.S. citizens seeking additional evacuation from the cayes may still use local airlines Tropic Air and Maya Air. Please contact local airlines for the latest commercial flight information. Commercial flights from San Pedro and Caye Caulker to mainland Belize, as well international flights from Belize City, are still scheduled for routine departures.
U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that U.S.citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts.
For continued updates on Hurricane Rina, residents and travelers are advised to monitor the storm at www.nhc.noaa.gov or www.nemo.org.bz. Additional media reports may be found at Channel 5 News Belize (http://www.channel5belize.com/), Channel 7 News Belize (http://www.7newsbelize.com/), and the Belize Tourism Industry Association, http://btia.org/.
U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/ so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register in person with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.