21 August – Belize is beginning to feel the first effects of Category 5 Hurricane Dean as the storm nears landfall just north of Belize’s northernmost town Corozal on the Belize-Mexico border.
Thousands of Belizeans and tourists have been evacuated from the areas most likely to be affected in northern Belize including Corozal town, Orange Walk town and the tourism resort area at Ambergris Caye.
Reporters on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island, describe the area as a virtual ghost town. The water on the island is already three feet high in some areas with winds in excess of 60 miles per hour. Several piers and dive shops have been washed away by pounding wave action. Some residents are reporting the start of roof failures as corrugated metal roof sheets are starting to be detached by the high winds.
In Corozal town located 12 miles from the Mexican city of Chetumal, electrical power has gone down in most areas and strong winds and torrential rains have started even though hurricane Dean is yet to make landfall.
Belize’s local Meteorological Service is forecasting a storm surge of up to 14 feet along the northern coast and hurricane force winds from Corozal town down to Belize city. Rainfall of as much as 20 inches along with flash floods are expected in inland Belize.
