Belize braces for Tropical Storm Sara

BELMOPAN – Tropical Storm Sara is on track to begin affecting Belize on Sunday and some strengthening is expected as the storm reaches maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour (mph) when it makes landfall in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

The Belize government has since declared a tropical storm watch from Belize City southward to Placencia adding that this notice would be upgraded later on Friday.

“Residents outside the watch area are advised to monitor the situation very carefully as tropical storm force winds in gusts could affect the entire country,” it said, adding that the main threat from this system will be heavy rainfall with totals of five to ten inches with locally higher values.

“This is resulting in flooding. Strong, gusty winds are producing rough sea conditions. A small craft warning is currently in effect due to gusty winds near showers or thunderstorms,” the government said in a statement.

“Mariners operating small vessels are advised to seek or remain in safe harbour and not to venture out to sea. Some coastal flooding is expected north of where the system makes landfall on Sunday. Strong winds may result in some minor damage to weak structures.”

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the storm is located about 205 miles, east south east of Belize City and that it is moving towards the west near nine mph.

“ A continued westward motion at a slower forward speed is expected over the next day or so.  A slow west-northwestward motion is forecast by late Saturday. On the forecast track, the centre of Sara will continue to move close to the northern coast of Honduras through early Saturday, then approach the coast of Belize early Sunday.”

It said that some slight strengthening is possible during the next couple of days if the centre of Sara remains over water to the north of Honduras. (CMC)

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