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While our crew discovered that the recent rains did not have any meaningful effect on the Stann Creek District, the same cannot be said for those villagers living further down south. In the Toledo District floodwaters have completely cut off road access into 5 communities including Crique Sarco.

On Monday we reported that the Temash River which runs through the village had flooded and was at least twelve feet above its bank. Today’s pictures show that in some locations the Temash River flooded its bank in excess of twenty five feet covering most of the vegetation on its bank. Director of SATIIM Greg Ch’oc estimates that the Temash River flood is in excess of a mile on both sides. These images were provided by the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management.

Today, Ch’oc says the waters have receded only by three feet in the village and the 7 families who had to be evacuated on Monday are still with relatives on higher ground. The village church is no longer flooded but the muddy conditions have made it impossible to use. According to Ch’oc the excess flooding has created treacherous conditions along the river, making it difficult to navigate and also dangerous because of the swift currents propelling large tree trunks and other large chunks of flotsam.

Today NEMO sent its first skiff with relief supplies to Crique Sarco and Ch’oc confirmed that the villagers have received the supplies. Some families were able to save some of their household items however their corn, beans and other food items stored in their homes were affected. Reports reaching 7NEWS is that other southern communities could face a similar plight as the Moho River is also at flood stage.

According to Ch’oc the communities of Barranco, Midway, Conejo and Sundaywood have been cut off by the Moho’s flood waters and in some cases cannot even be accessed by boat. With that it is difficult for anyone to say how the residents are doing in those remote villages. Ch’oc says he knows that NEMO has been trying to get to the communities by helicopter but he understands there have been problems accessing the transportation. 7NEWS did try to get confirmation from NEMO but have been unable to get through to the department.

And it’s probably going to get worse; as you saw earlier in the weather report, the tropical wave that is presently affecting the country will bring more rain tonight into Wednesday morning. Most of the rains will be concentrated in the south. Residents of southern Belize are advised to be watchful for rising waters.