… And the tidal wave hits Belama Phase 3
The Belize River Valley and the rest of the District continue to experience unusually high water levels. Many villages off the highways have been cut off because roads are impassable and accessible only by canoes. In Lord’s Bank and Ladyville, residents say the water levels are unprecedented and the Met Service forecasts that flooding will continue for some time. Belize City is under sea level and its over seventy thousand residents will be monitoring the slow but imminent tidal onslaught heading our way.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Moving to Belize City in one of the newest communities, the flood waters are interrupting residents and commuters in Belama Phase Three and certain areas are under a foot of water. The waters are becoming a health hazard and a stench is permeating the area.
Shanekia Rodriguez, Student, St. Johns College Junior College
“It affect me a lot because I have to go da school da night and thing and me one walk through di water by myself from phase two, come back yah so and late night yoh see all kinda thing inna di water and me one have to walk through yah so. Ih affect me big time. I have to wash my clothes di walk through water and fi go out, fi walk through dehn dirty water as yoh done bathe; clean yoh have to walk right inna dehn dirty water.”
Hugh Bodden, Resident, Belama Phase 3
“My problem is as you notice in my shop, I can’t make money to pay my bills and this is what is hampering my business.”
Narciso Garcia, Resident, Belama Phase 3
“Basically, the inconvenience has been the height which is about one foot of water with the transportation going in and out. Fortunately, I have this van that I can use to go back and forth, but I’m sure that once the flood comes to this area, we’re going to be having some problems—if it rises that is. Right now it’s more economical rather than physical because I work in the tourism industry and we’re waiting for the rivers to subside so that we can get back into the trips that we usually do.”
The Belize Red Cross has been working hand in hand with NEMO to provide relief to people affected by the flooding in the West and in the rural areas of Belize District. According to Warehouse and Logistics Manager, Jon Ramnarace, the Orange Walk district will be receiving assistance soon but right now they are focusing on the Belama Area.
Jon Ramnarace, Manager, Warehouse & Logistics, Bz Red Cross
“Today we are doing some assessments of the severity of the flooding back here in Belama. We are doing this assessment so that we can better aid people, so that we know how many people were affected, the extent of the damages the flood did and that kind of stuff so we can properly aid these people. What we have seen is severe flooding, flood waters high enough to actually go into some people houses and it’s hard for some people to get to their homes. So in this case, if you have flooding in the household then more than likely you might not have areas to sleep and their mattresses might be wet and so on. So we might be giving blankets, for them, clothes might be necessary as well and things like that; maybe food items if their food items have gone bad. As we go along meeting with the people we will better learn what their needs are.”
Due to the water levels, residents are resorting to trucks and vans to access the area. According to Garcia, it is all about being prepared and safety comes first.
Narciso Garcia
“If they can’t get to all of us then I’m ready. I have life jackets for me and my family and the neighbours and we’re prepared.”
Duane Moody reporting for News Five.
