For the past few days, we've been telling you about how Tropical Storm Cristobal, which is currently pounding Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, has also been dumping excessive rains on different parts of Northern and Central Belize.
The storm is currently moving over the eastern parts of Mexico, and may threaten the US Gulf Coast over the next few days. Amateur footage captured earlier this morning in Cancun, Mexico shows the heavy rains and winds hammering that popular tourist destination.
Cristobal has been causing bad weather for other Central American countries, including Belize, and last night, heavy rains caused major flooding in the Orange Walk and Corozal District. The National Hydrological Service, within the Ministry of Natural Resources, has been warning that the Rio Hondo was dangerously close to flooding over its banks. This morning, residents of Douglas and Shipyard woke up to these floodwaters inundating their communities. The Guinea Grass Road was also barely passable this morning.
We are told that floods made their way into the village, as well as areas in and around Yo Creek. The floods also caused the road to break at Mameyal Curve; that was due to a culvert that collapsed.
Also, the Sarteneja Road, near the Pueblo Viejo Ferry was inundated. We've also seen images of floods happening near Rio Bravo, at the Blue Creek Hydro dam.
Residents living near cane farms in the Orange Walk District have also sent us footage of the high flood levels covering the cane fields and turning them into small lagoons.
The National Hydrological Service released a report today said that the Blue Creek Sub-catchment of the Rio Hondo remains above the levels seen during Hurricane Mitch. It is rising again due to last night's rains. Levels at Santa Cruz, Douglas, San Antonio, and San Roman continue to rise. The New River at Caledonia also continues to rise steadily.
Weather experts say that later into the weekend, residents in the north should see improved weather conditions, as Tropical Storm Cristobal heads to the US Gulf Coast.
| 