On Saturday, June 1st the Atlantic hurricane season officially opens.
Some of the world's leading weather forecasters are predicting that around 13 named storms, and that about 5 of those may become major hurricanes. That's supposed to be near the average number of storms that form in the world's Atlantic Hurricane Belt annually.
But, like all the other hurricane-prone countries in this part of the world, Belize is preparing for the season, and the Belize City Council, says that the City's disaster emergency apparatus is ready, in the event of a storm.
The Council held a press conference to assure the residents of the country's biggest population center that CEMO is up to the task to look after them, if there is a storm. Here's what the Mayor had to say:
Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City Council
"You'll have noted that about a month or so ago, we started dredging of canals. We felt that that was a very important component in ensuring that we mitigate flooding. So, We've been able to do the North Creek, South Creek, Z- Town Canal, the East Canal, and the West Canal, and also in the Gungulung area. When we look at those canals, they were 6 feet deep, but had 5 feet of sludge, something that has not been done for years. And so, as a part of ensuring that we mitigate against flooding, and when the rains came, we thought it was very important to get those canals dredged, before the rainy season, and before the hurricane season commenced."
"From CEMO's standpoint, they've been planning for months. They had monthly planning meetings. It's not an overnight activity. It takes months and months of planning, and essentially, they've streamlined some of their standard operating procedures, so that they are aligned with NEMO. As you know, there are 13 committees there that are responsible for different functions within the city. And those committees have been together for some time, planning, and preparing for this hurricane season."
Reporter
"I heard you guys discussing about a fair, explain that component."
Bernard Wagner
"Again, it's the first of its kind. It will be held at the Super Sale Zone that we have this coming Saturday. It's a disaster preparedness fair, where we'll look at interacting with families, disseminating information about their plan for their homes. We'll be distributing pamphlets, which have all information in respect of your own family plan, how you prepare a hurricane preparedness kit, what should be in those kits, what should be in those plans, first aid, and that type of activity."
"In our planning, we also looked at those shelters ensuring that they are up to par. 17 shelters have been identified in different constituencies. Those are ready in the event we do need to have people housed in those shelters."
Reporter
"Do you feel that the City is ready should there be a situation where a storm comes to Belize?"
Bernard Wagner
"We are very ready, but you can plan. You always plan, but your plan can never be full-proof until it is test. And while we don't want any disasters to happen, we always make sure that our plan is ready and able to meet the needs of our people."
As you heard, the Council is holding a Disaster Preparedness Fair on Saturday, and they are inviting residents of the city to come out and discuss the topic with them.
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