Over 3000 evacuated from islands
Those who left San Pedro arrived in Belize City by boat. News Five’s Jose Sanchez was at the Water Taxi terminal when the evacuees came ashore.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
San Pedro was calm because it was short of three thousand residents. NEMO provided free boat rides for residents who heeded the call for evacuation. And though the buses that waited outside the Caye Caulker and San Pedro Belize Water Taxi associations intended to take them to shelter at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan, most were in good spirits and had other destinations in the country.
Jose Sanchez
“Where are you coming from?”
Edwin Lima, Evacuee
Edwin Lima
“San Pedro.”
Jose Sanchez
“How was the boat ride over?”
Edwin Lima
“Well not too bad. We’re heading to Orange Walk.”
Jose Sanchez
“But if the storm hits, the northern districts will receive more rains. That doesn’t bother you?”
Edwin Lima
“Well the storm is going a little bit up—it’s not coming to us—so we will just get some rain. So it’s just another day off for us so we decided to just visit family.”
Jones Campos
Jones Campos, Evacuee
“I’m coming from Corozal.”
Jose Sanchez
“What do you do out there on the cayes?”
Jones Campos
“Working cause I have my family right there.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you feeling any sort of fear?”
Jones Campos
“No, only because my ma seh I need to move from there to here. So I’m heading to Corozal so I am not worrying about the storm.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you afraid of the threat of Rina?”
Eva Joseph
Eva Joseph, Evacuee
“Of course because everybody say that this thing yah really serious so I di try get out like everybody else. We are going to Belmopan. We are going to stay with my family.”
Albert Valencia, Evacuee
“I’m coming from San Pedro.”
Jose Sanchez
“How was the trip across with your family?”
Albert Valencia
Albert Valencia
“Well it was a little rough, but it was good. The kids are a little afraid.”
Jose Sanchez
“So was this a family trip or is this some fear that Rina will come?”
Albert Valencia
“Well it’s a little bit of fear.”
Jose Sanchez
“Where are you guys headed to now?
Linda Paiz, Evacuee
Linda Paiz
“San Ignacio; we live in San Ignacio.”
Jose Sanchez
“Coming with your family and everything, how was the trip—given that this was the last day of evacuating? Was the weather rough out there on the boat.”
Linda Paiz
“Well it’s not rough—not too much—a little bit. Well it’s raining and the waves are starting to get bigger.” I would rate NEMO nine out of ten.”
Jose Sanchez
“How many of you are travelling in your family?”
Celia Cabral
Celia Cabral, Evacuee
“Four—three kids; I have seven and four left over there. I am still afraid and I think it is better to be prepared. The last time I was there I experienced Keith and it was very difficult for me.”
Jose Sanchez
“How old are you?”
Kayla Shakira Chacon, Evacuee
“Ten. I go to Holy Cross Anglican School and it feels good to not have school today.”
Jose Luis Pinelo, Evacuee
Jose Luis Pinelo
“He say he give thanks to everything that they do because with this weather, it meet a lot of people without money. And he like weh deh di do for us. He said he going to Guatemala right now and it better for him to come out from there because no problem in Guatemala right now.”
Pablo Valerio, Evacuee
“I come from San Pedro. I’m a carpenter.”
Jose Sanchez
“Pablo were you afraid of Rina that’s why you came out this morning?”
Pablo Valerio
“No they sent me from San Pedro because the shelter there is occupied; small space.”
Pablo Valerio
Jose Sanchez
“I see you came out barefoot and all.”
Pablo Valerio
“Yes you come on boat.”
Jose Sanchez
“So where you and barefoot go after this?”
Pablo Valerio
“I’m going to my grandma house in Belmopan.”
Jose Sanchez
“So you are going to Belmopan to wait out Rina?”
Pablo Valerio
“I’m gonna go watch TV have fun and watch the news and weather channel.”
Jose Sanchez
“But you wa put on your slippers at least fi later?”
Pablo Valerio
“Yeah I have tennis and clothes. When I reach there I’m gonna get the nice clothes like you guys right. Have fun. Thanks.”
Rose Marie Linarez, Evacuee
Rose Marie Linarez
“The trip across was rough.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you afraid of the storm or just a precaution?”
Rose Marie Linarez
“I was afraid. And I am now heading to Belmopan to family.”
Jose Sanchez
Jose Sanchez
“What do you think of the BBOC being out here from 3:30 this morning?
Rose Marie Linarez
“I think they are doing a good job.”
Jose Sanchez
“The traffic at the water taxi association has come to a virtual standstill. Dark cloud loom in the horizon as the country holds its proverbial breath and waits to see where Rina will strike. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
