Tonight, floodwaters are subsiding in Western Belize, while they are rising in the Belize district. This morning the Belize District Emergency Committee will had an emergency meeting in the district Operations Center at the Sandhill NEMO office. District Emergency Coordinator Calbert Budd was getting the office's communication system ready - and the priority areas outlined. Tonight NEMO is reporting that River levels are rising in the Belize District as the Mopan and Macal Rivers empty into the Belize River at Branch Mouth and coastal communities in the south. The villages of Hattieville, Free Town Sibun, Gracie Rock, La Democracia; Gales Point, Ladyville, Lords Bank, Burrell Boom, Fresh Pond, Crooked Tree, Sand Hill, Grace Bank, May Pen, Bomba, Scotland Half Moon, Lemonal, Rancho Dolores, Willows Bank, and St. Paul's Bank are under flood watch.
Today we visited Hattieville where villagers the water is rising but at this point it's not life threatening. We spoke to the chairman:..
Kevin Carcamo, Chairman - Hattieville
"Presently we have opened shelters to anyone who needed evacuation. From yesterday we have open two classrooms at the Hattieville School. What we try to is educate the people because we have some people, for example last night, a young lady from earlier I spoke to her and I told her that if it was me I would have moved out the house, but I can't really force anyone to move out their house. She called me about minutes to twelve last night and I went there and evacuate her. I think we need to listen and be more educated to people who knows."
Eulalio Coc, Hattieville resident
"In my yard we have about 20 inches of water. This is the first time I ever experience this kind of flooding in the area at this extent."
Reporter
"What are your concerns at this time?"
Eulalio Coc, Hattieville resident
"I don't have any major concerns with the fact that I live high; my house is high. That was one of the good things I did when I constructed my house. I don't think there is anything anybody can do about it because this is from the river - this is the Sibun River coming this side. Whether we do drainage or whatever, we can't do anything about it - it's a natural thing we have here."
Reporter
"When did it last flood like this?"
Eulalio Coc, Hattieville resident
"We had one let's say about 2-3 months ago but it wasn't like this. This happens in like every 4-5 years, this kind of flood."
Reporter
"Are you concern that it will get worse?"
Eulalio Coc, Hattieville resident
"I think so because from since this morning the water has been rising, but I hope the water stops."
Kevin Carcamo, Chairman - Hattieville
"We experience this in Hattieville like every 3-4 years and so we have a top gallon, but presently this one is coming down heavy on us. I am not saying that it will go down or that it will rise. We just have to watch what is happening and be vigilant."
Reporter
"Are you concern that it will get worse?"
Sarita Carcamo, Hattieville resident
"It will get worse yes."
Reporter
"If it gets worse what will you do?"
Sarita Carcamo, Hattieville resident
"I don't know."
Richard Welch, Hattieville resident
"The water starts to rise early this morning about 6-8 inches more since last night. If you notice there by the step it was above water and it is 2 steps under water right now which is like 13-14 inches in front of my door."
Reporter
"What are your concerns at this time?"
Richard Welch, Hattieville resident
"The concern is that I would want NEMO to help the people who are in worse condition than I am. I might need help in a while if the water continues to rise but I would prefer NEMO to help those who are in dire need because I am concern about my neighbors."
Reporter
"Are you concern that it will get worse?"
Richard Welch, Hattieville resident
"Yes because the water from Gracie Rock hasn't reach this side as yet, so probably the water might raise a little bit more."
Reporter
"If it gets worse what will you do?"
Richard Welch, Hattieville resident
"I will take my family to the shelter or to higher ground."
Reporter
"How is the flooding in your area?"
James Campbell, Hattieville resident
"It's at 23 inches right now at my where I am. I will try to stick it out and maybe it goes down a little."
Reporter
"If it gets worse what will you do?"
James Campbell, Hattieville resident
"I intend to stay there, as long as the water doesn't reach the flooring."
Reporter
"NEMO is advising to secure your property and move early especially folks living in Hattieville, Freetown Sibun and other areas. What's your reaction to this?"
James Campbell, Hattieville resident
"It's not really a bad thing for those living in Hattieville. I came here, so I intend to stick it out and see what will happen."
Phillip Clarke, Chairman - Gracie Rock
"The upper part of the village of Gracie Rock is presently under water, some areas approximately 3-4 feet of water."
Reporter
"NEMO has given an advisory saying secure your property and move early. What is Gracie Rock doing in accordance to this?"
Phillip Clarke, Chairman - Gracie Rock
"We had followed NEMO instructions in securing property but moving is out of the question because if we move where will we go? Our property is like our livelihood; if we leave our property, when we come back we might not have it, so we decide to stay. It's not strange that the flood water comes maybe once every 2-3 years. It's something that we were expecting but we were not prepared how ut came so early and so quickly, but it's something that the villagers are used to like myself."
Reporter
"If it gets worse what will you do?"
Phillip Clarke, Chairman - Gracie Rock
"It won't get any worse. It will only get worse if it continues for another 2-3 days, but it seems that it's starting to subside. As a matter of fact at presently it's starting to fall already. If no more rain comes, we can live it out."
Those Belize District residents in Emergency situations can call: Calbert Budd who is the Belize Rural North Coordinator at 602-8632 and, Kevin Pollard, who is the Belize Rural central Coordinator 621-2275.
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