Prime Minister asks Belizeans to cooperate
As chairman of the National Emergency Management Organization, Prime Minister Said Musa is the man who must listen to the advice of his experts and then make the key decisions on how best to deal with the situation. This afternoon he addressed the nation from Belmopan. Here are some of the highlights.
Prime Minister said Musa
“This morning I convened a meeting of Cabinet to discuss the threat posed by the hurricane and to take the necessary decisions to protect life and property as certain sections of the country experience the fury of this hurricane. A hurricane warning has been declared for the entire country of Belize. This means that Belize is now in the third phase, Red Flag 2 of its national hurricane plan.”
“The northern and central coastal areas of Belize, including Belize City, should begin to experience hurricane storm force winds as early as eight o’ clock tonight. It is expected to produce additional rainfall of five to ten inches over the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize, Guatemala, and Northern Honduras with maximum amounts of up to 20 inches. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.”
“We ask all citizens and residents of Belize to ensure that you and your family remain in a safe place and continue to monitor your radio for official reports and advisories. I’m confident that during this crisis, Belizeans will work together in a spirit of generosity and cooperation.”
Following the statement we asked Prime Minister Musa how the hurricane will affect Belize economically, especially if it shifts on a more southerly track.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We are particularly concerned to ensure the safety of life. Obviously there will be a lot of damage to our agricultural industry and tourism industry and the fishing industry for that matter. So it will have a very devastating effect if we get the full impact of this hurricane on Belize.”
