Tropical Storm Karl visiting northern districts before dawn

When we closed our newscast on Monday night we reported that NEMO was on alert; it has now put into effect a tropical storm watch for northern Belize. Well brace up, because earlier today a large band of rains that hovered about four hundred miles east of Belize strengthened to a tropical depression and later in the day, it became a tropical storm. Tropical Storm Karl currently has maximum sustained winds of forty miles per hour with higher gusts.  At three o’clock this afternoon, Karl was two hundred and seventy-four miles east by south of Corozal Town; two hundred and forty-eight miles north east of San Pedro or two hundred and sixty-eight miles north east of Belize City. News Five spoke to Dennis Gonguez, the Chief Meteorologist about where and when TS Karl would strike.

Dennis Gonguez, Chief Meteorological Officer

dennis gonguez

“There is an area of disturbed weather about four hundred miles east of us that is becoming better organized. Indications are we could have a tropical depression by this evening.”

Jose Sanchez

“And assuming it forms into a tropical depression. How is it expected to affect us? Any particular part of the country?”

Dennis Gonguez

“We’re expecting conditions to deteriorate in the northern part of the country and extreme outer waters, near dawn tomorrow. And then the bulk of the activity should affect northern sections of the country later on Wednesday.”

Jose Sanchez

“Is there any cause for concern for mariners or for people on shore? What precautions should be taken?”

Dennis Gonguez

“Yes of course, if there is a depression out there, we have to be concerned about the seas that they could become rough.  The rainfall could be torrential and it could impair your visibility.”

Jose Sanchez

“And this would be countrywide?”

Dennis Gonguez

“Right, the system is not just a point it’s a guard system.”

Jose Sanchez

“For the viewers at home who will be watching this tonight, what should they do?”

Dennis Gonguez

“They should be thinking about preparations just in the event that the system intensifies further and become a tropical storm tomorrow. You know where you are going if you need to evacuate and all the advice we’ve been giving since the start of the hurricane season.”

Jose Sanchez

“More than likely we should be heading towards the central part of the country or the west?”

Dennis Gonguez

“Ahm, on a track between Cancun or Northern Belize. That’s why I said the bulk of the rainfall, flooding expected would be over the northern section of the country.”

TS Karl is expected to produce a total rainfall of four to six inches over the northern part of the country. The MET office expects flooding over north and low-lying areas. Outbreaks of showers and thunderstorms will decrease during Wednesday night and Thursday.  NEMO is encouraging early evacuation if necessary in the coast and on the cayes and advising to review your emergency plans, ensure adequate food, water and medicine and confirm preparations if you need shelter. We will keep you posted.