Earl intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday afternoon and made landfall near Belize City on Thursday midnight. Earl has now downgraded to a tropical storm. Nevertheless, it still holds the potential to bring damaging winds and torrential rains.
During the weekend, Earl is likely to threaten lives and property on its journey across southern parts of Mexico. The worst affected states of Mexico will be Chiapas, Tabasco and Veracruz. These states could witness strong gusty winds and flooding rains on Saturday.
Tropical Storm #Earl advisory 12 issued. Center of #Earl now near the southern coast of the bay of campeche. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM
— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) August 5, 2016
Residents of the above-mentioned states should be prepared for travel interruptions and power outages. On Thursday morning, almost the entire country was without electricity and under the enormous spell of Earl.
Earl will continue to weaken as it moves across the land, bringing heavy rainfall throughout its path. Few places could receive about 300 mm of rainfall as well.
Rainfall to the tune of 25 to 50 mm per hour could trigger catastrophic flooding, landslides and mudslides. The vulnerable regions in the mountains will be the worst affected.
The Belize Tourism Board has taken adequate precautions by cancelling all cruise trips, and keeping on hold all kind of archeological reserves and operations at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport.
Several shelters have been put up by the Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
Image credit: www.theguardian.com
