7 News Belize

Back to search results

Arthur Pounded Belize City
posted (June 2, 2008)

As we’ve shown you, Tropical Storm Arthur and its aftermath were devastating in southern Belize. And in Belize City heavy winds and pounding rain also took a toll in Belize City. Many homes had their zinc sheetings displaced, but in some low income areas of the city, it was much worse than that, Jacqueline Godwin found out more today.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
When there is a downpour residents of flood prone areas like Jane Usher Boulevard expect their streets and low lying homes to be inundated. But what blew in early this morning demolished homes, tore off roofs, left lampposts leaning and knocked down lines. Many were sleeping between 2 and 3 when strong gusts and rain took its toll on this south side community.

BenMark Domingo, Storm Victim
“I would say about at least a 60 miles per hour because I had on strong zinc nails and it just whoop, just like somebody peeling a banana.”

BenMark Domingo was home in bed but he was awaken by loud crashing noise when strong winds ripped off the ceiling above his head.

BenMark Domingo,
“All I know is that it has been raining from Friday, thunder and lightning. I went home 9:30 last night and after 4 so there was big thunder and hard winds. By the time I looked, I was lying down on my bed and whoof, it is like somebody was peeling a banana. The roof went right there. As I stepped outside, about half of my body was in the water.”

Rain poured in on the Domingo family and everything inside the home was either destroyed or submerged in water. It was also the home of James Thompson’s daughter.

James Thompson, Father of Storm Victim
“Everything that isn’t mashed up, is wet up. The electronics and so, mattress, bed – everything is broken up. I didn’t expect it but with the strength of the breeze last night.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
So your daughter has to start all over again.

James Thompson,
“Well that is about it. She has to start back over.”

Just like Nicole Wade and her family. This is all that is left of Nicole Wade’s home. Sometime last night the one bedroom structure was knocked off its post by the strong wind and rain.

Nicole Wade, Storm Victim
“Thank God I didn’t sleep there last night. I slept at one of my friend’s house and when I came this morning I saw a lady’s house and so I said I wonder about my house and then I looked and I saw the house tumbled down. Nothing actually I saved, only my clothes I picked up. I didn’t expect it.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Why?

Nicole Wade,
“The weather report said it was only going to be a little bit of rain and breeze and I didn’t expect it would bring so much damage like house dropping and all kind of thing.”

Likewise Edmund Castillo and his family did not expect their one storey building to collapse. Castillo says he was in bed sleeping but was suddenly awaken by a violent shaking.

Edmund Castillo, Storm Victim
“Then I heard a bang and when I conscious the mattress just shake up and my girl just screamed. Then I wondering what was happening and then the roof just fall down and the house collapse.”

Castillo says he and his family then sought shelter inside their bathroom which remained intact. The wind was so strong inside the home that it bent the blades on this ceiling fan.

Edmund Castillo,
“The weather man predicted wrong weather.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Why you say that?

Edmund Castillo,
“Because they didn’t give any warning.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Because I know at least one of the radio stations were warning people from Saturday afternoon to be on the lookout and to monitor the situation. You never did hear the advisory?

Edmund Castillo,
“I didn’t hear that one. It is like tornado, the house just collapsed.”

Today Edmund Castillo with the help of workmen was busy removing furniture and other items from what was left of their home.

Edmund Castillo,
“It just started with a heavy rain and it is just a nightmare.”

A mess that Area Representative Hon. Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez confronted this morning as he toured the area.

Hon. Anthony Boots Martinez, Area Representative
“We have about three houses down. This was a high house and we are getting ready to move out Mr. Castillo to an apartment and therefore we can set up back his house. Of course I was working vigilantly on the James Usher Boulevard relocation project. Right now we are building some homes for some more people as we speak.

Well I think it is just a spontaneous thing. It just happened and I think that even the forecasters didn’t warn us clearly enough. I think it is a thing about nature. It came down sudden on the nation of Belize but I think that we are doing our best to cope with it and giving the residents the necessary satisfaction.”

The heavy convection has since passed Belize and the rain is beginning to subside. But for those people who live in the neighbourhood of Jane Usher, they say it is going to take some time for the water to go down. Since Saturday the City Emergency Management Organization has been monitoring the situation. According to councillor of foreign affairs, Hyacinth Latchman Cuellar they have already tapped into international assistance to help those affected countrywide.

Councillor Hyacinth Latchman Cuellar,
“I had a chance this morning to speak to all our folks that we share sister city relationships with and they are willing to help. Whatever we need in the city at this point, as soon as I make that call – they are willing to help us to send down people to help. If there is damage to the city, whatever it is, they are going to help us. One in particular, Evanston, they are aware of the situation in Sittee River and those people down south. They say not only Belize City, we’re going to come with whatever you guys need down south.”

Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.

Area Representative Boots Martinez says that many of those homes, on the windward side of Jane Usher Boulevard were already scheduled for demolition – and occupants had already been assigned designated plots of land. In the interim, he will put them up in an apartment building.

7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift

Back to search results

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize