My fellow Belizeans,
Effective midday today, 1st November 2022, I declared a hurricane warning for the nation of Belize. This means that NEMO is fully activated countrywide.
Our Chief Meteorologist, Mr. Ronald Gordon, advised that as of 3:00 p.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Lisa was 330 miles to the East of Belize City.
Lisa is moving to the West at 15 miles per hour and is expected to strengthen to a hurricane overnight. By the time it makes landfall tomorrow, anywhere between Dangriga and Belize City, it is expected to strengthen into a strong category one or a minimal category two hurricane.
By now, we all should have put our emergency plans into effect. We encourage everyone who feels as if their home is not safe or is at risk to voluntarily relocate to a safe place.
Shelters all across the country will be opened at 6:00 this evening. The international airport will be closed tonight, and tomorrow, sea ports will be closed and bus transportation will stop at midday.
I call on all employers to release their employees so they can reach to a safe location.
From our public officers who are manning our hurricane shelters, to our men and women in uniform already on the ground working, we need your cooperation for us to get everyone to safety and keep order in our shelters.
The search and rescue agencies are ready and our doctors and nurses are fully equipped and supplied to attend to the needs of those who remain in the hospitals or who will need emergency assistance.
Remember to stay indoors and out of harm’s way until the official all clear is declared. Please only listen to official advisories coming from the National Met Service and NEMO.
We have done everything we can to prepare for the arrival of the storm and I urge all Belizeans to take the warnings and advisories seriously to preserve your life and the lives of your families.
Together and with the guidance of our Creator we will get through this.
God bless you.
God bless Belize.
I thank you.
