NEMO’s machinery activated and country on alert

At six o’clock this evening Tropical Storm Harvey, the first weather system expected to make landfall in Belize since the start of the 2011 Hurricane Season, was positioned two hundred and fifty-five miles east, southeast of Dangriga.  The tropical storm is moving at a speed of ten miles per hour in a west, northwesterly direction with wind speeds of up to fifty miles per hour.  It is expected that Tropical Storm Harvey will bring along with it some three to five inches of rainfall.  Seafarers are advised not to travel to the cayes and vessels should seek safe harbor.  Meanwhile people living in flood prone areas are encouraged to make final preparations to seek higher ground.  While shelters have not been officially declared open NEMO is currently making final preparations, if necessary, to do so in villages along the Old Northern Highway, Belize City and Gales Point as well as in the Cayo and Stann Creek districts.  Stay tuned for more on the tropical weather update.