Early estimates say damages/losses running in the millions
Preliminary figures have been tabulated and they stand at around fifteen million in damages to infrastructure and losses in the agricultural sector, so far. The flooding that started in the south, stretched to the west and is now hitting hard the central and northern regions, began last week Thursday and today P.M. Barrow finally said that he is now fully briefed on the situation. G.O.B. will throw three million dollars in the pot for losses and it is hoped that four million dollars from Venezuela can be disbursed in cash to farmers. But first the damages…”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“The news is not good.”
Kendra Griffith, Reporting
It was on that somber note that Prime Minister Dean Barrow opened a press conference to update the public on the destruction in the West.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“The damage sustained falls into several categories. First of all, many households, especially in Calla Creek have been severely dislocated or even destroyed. Then of course of road infrastructure has been battered to the tune of some three point three million dollars according to the Ministry of Works’ preliminary estimates. In tourism a number of cruise/tours destinations have been rendered inaccessible including Xunantunich and Jaguar Paw.”
Some damage was also reported in Dangriga Town, Hope Creek, Mullins River and Sittee. But for some sections of the Cayo District, the devastation was massive enough that the P.M. declared them disaster areas.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Billie White, Branch Mouth, Bullet Tree, Calla Creek, Cristo Rey, Duck Run One, Clarissa Falls, More Tomorrow, Paslow Falls, Plant Sucker, Santa Familia and Spanish Lookout. This is what will happen with respect to relief. NEMO will continue to be resourced by government so that it can provide all the water, food, and clothing supplies needed for displaced persons.”
Aside from the infrastructure, the main victim of the flooding was the agriculture sector. Initial estimates were pegged at seven million dollars, but that was revised upwards this morning.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Later quantification by the Ministry of Agriculture suggests a figure rather of twelve million dollars.”
Rene Montero, Minister of Agriculture
“In the Cayo District we are estimating that the damage is about five point four million dollars in corn, beans, and rice. In Orange Walk district we are estimating the damage about three point five million dollars and it includes corn, vegetables, papayas, and sugar cane field. In the Corozal District we are estimating two point five million dollars and it’s mainly in corn, beans and rice. In Toledo District the damage was fourteen thousand fourteen thousand dollars and in the Stann Creek District it’s forty-six thousand dollars mainly in corn vegetable and root crops. Right now is the planting season for corn, beans, potatoes and onions, so the farmers will not be able to prepare the fields and plant these crops because of wet conditions, so we are expecting that there will be lower yield in terms of these crops.”
And now that the initial assessment numbers are in, the focus turns to relief… and funding.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Government is immediately committing the sum of a million dollars for the relief of especially the small farmers that have had their crops and livelihood destroyed. As well, another million dollars will go to municipalities for street rehabilitation as soon as the work can start. This is in addition of funds of not less than a third million for highway and feeder road repairs. We will approach firstly, the government of Venezuela—in fact we have already done so—to see if the already announced four million dollar grant for agricultural projects can be reprogrammed to provide cash to small farmers.”
And the bad news kept coming as Acting Chief Meteorologist Ramon Frutos reported that the rains and flooding are far from over for those in Central Belize.
Ramon Frutos, Acting Chief Meteorologist
“We still have some more rains to contend with for the next three days. The Tropical wave will be in our area some time on Friday. So that will stimulate more outbreaks of showers as it marches with this track of low pressure and the approaching cold front. It’s possible that the whole area of bad weather will move northwards and this cold front and away from us as the high pressure system pushes a little further and pushes towards the northeast spreading out. The waters will continue rising because all the water that affecting Cayo over the weekend or this week is still coming down. For example, in San Ignacio this morning the water level is still some meters above the wooden bridge. We noticed at San Ignacio it’s about four point four-nine meters. That is about fourteen or fifteen feet of water still above that wooden bridge. The good news is that the Mopan River is receding. That’s good news because we noticed at the junction of Roaring Creek, the Roaring Creek Bridge is passable. The water has gone below the deck and that’s good news because that is indicating that the water levels are receding. But that’s bad news for us here in the Belize District, especially in the rural communities because what will happen is that the water level will continue rising and it will affect not only the rural areas, but also this part of Belize City. And this particular area here in the Belama areas because we have the Haulover Creek running right behind us here and the water levels there will continue to rise.”
The constant rains continue to affect travel and today Minister of Works Anthony “Boots” Martinez gave an update on the situation with the highways and access roads around the country.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Minister of Works
“Kendall causeway is under right now, that is under four feet of water right now; that is impassable. Mullins River is impassable too. Hopkins, the Sittee road is in bad condition. Placencia road is flooded over Riversdale. You have the Bomba Road also under three feet of water. Baking pot ferry is impassable. The Iguana Creek Bridge, that too is impassable. As soon as the water recedes you will see the Ministry of Works partnering with municipalities and the citizens of this country to see that the infrastructure is in good condition.”
And while it may seem all gloom and doom, the P.M. and his ministers were able to find some silver linings.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“One, there was thankfully no loss or life and two, the response to the emergency of our official and quasi-official agencies has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
Elvin Penner, Area Rep, Cayo Northeast
“The most impressive must be the volunteers. These people don’t have to be out there. They can be at home enjoying themselves, watching TV; watching the news with the rest of the people but they are out there risking their lives. They have lost sleep, they haven’t eaten for several days at times.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“I therefore wish straight away to thank all those that have played such a magnificent role in coming to the aid of all our people in a time of such need. We draw once again on the inexhaustible reserves of the Belizean national spirit to forge ahead. Together we shall overcome this latest challenge and together, I am sure as a nation, we will be stronger for it.”
In the meantime, the message continues to be: be prepared. Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.
