The sun may be out after days of non stop rain across the country, but for those out West in the Cayo district it marks the beginning of what may be weeks of cleaning and attempting to restore what was lost to the Macal rivers aggressive flood waters. Though Tropical storm Sara did not make landfall in Belize until Saturday, Mayor Earl Trapp told us today that they started receiving distress calls days before when the rains began.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio, Santa Elena
"The calls began to come in on Thursday evening. The rain started about 3, 3.30 and about 6.30, 7 the calls began to pour in on people needing help to clear the drain, the culvert heads and I think one family needed to be evacuated. So that's when we started since Thursday evening and up to this point we are still working."

The images and videos that spread across social media from the flooding in the Cayo district became such a concern even to the prime minister, that he also toured today to see it for himself.

John Briceno, Prime Minister
"After looking at the record rains that we had over the weekend and looking at some of the images of the flooding that was taking place especially here in San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Bullet Tree and then some other villages I think it was important for me to come and take a first hand look as to what has happened and the amount of damage and see what it is that we can rebuild and try to assist the people in this area."

And one of those areas most affected was further out West in San Jose Succotz. Their chairlady told us that they have not seen flooding like this since 2008 where the water came all up onto the highway obstructing traffic and causing MIDH to step in and assist. Chairlady Sherel Cocom says that they had to open their shelters, not only to cater to those affected in the village but also because they will be receiving dozens more from Calla Creek.

Sherel Cocom, Chairlady, San Jose Succotz
"Well, at the moment we do have a family of 10 and based on what I have heard from Mr. Jimmy Leslie is that yes, we are having more people from Calacreek. Calacreek is in the worst condition at the moment with the flooding and we are expecting at least 50 more people to come to the shelter."

Reporter
"You can cater to that, you have enough room and you have enough supplies?"

Sherel Cocom, Chairlady, San Jose Succotz
"Well, at the moment, as I stated on my own, I don't have the support, right? Everything that even fuel, it has to come out from my pocket. Food, anything, it comes out from my pocket, right? So I'm not very rich, but whatever I have, I do give it back to the community. As I stated, I reach out to the community and they are very responsive. That is one thing I do love about my village, San Jose Succotz."

And back in Bullet Tree the only bridge used to enter and exit the village was completely closed off by flood waters, leaving those on the other side with no other option but to wait it out, keeping residents like Roberto Perez, a Tacos vendor from making a living.

Robert Perez, Bullet Tree Resident
"Well, to my experience, this is a couple years that I'm living here in the village, so to me, it's the first time I'm experiencing this here. Well, to me, the water rises, and then it goes down, and then like in a few hours goes back, and then from last night to this morning, last night it went down all the way almost by the entrance of the bridge, but by this morning, around seven to eight o'clock, it's already by that sign there that says Road Close, and then by this afternoon is where we are already seeing that the water has coming more, yeah, rising even more higher."

"Well, it's affecting me big time because we are tacos vendors. We sell across the bridge, and we are not being able to do our sales as normal, and then also I have my child that I haven't returned home because I can't cross the bridge, so it's do affecting me, and I'm sure that's affecting all the neighbors as well. As you can see here, a lot of houses are already underwater, well at least one foot at least underwater."

The flood waters surely have wreaked havoc out West, which is nothing out of the ordinary for those living and working in low lying areas. Every time it rains the Macal will rise and flood out the market, which now leaves the question as to why not have the market moved elsewhere. Mayor Trapp says that it's easier said than done.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio, Santa Elena
"The only good thing with being here, we have the nice Macal River view, you know, but in terms of keeping the market open and the services are always available, and yes, I think it's a good idea to begin looking for an area that we can relocate in the very near future. Because with global warming and climate change, I don't see it getting better."

"So you're right. We can have a lot of freak storms and water rising, and people have to be inconvenience with their goods back and forth. So I think it's an excellent idea, and it is something that I will take up as the local leader and maybe put it in a consultation with the general public. But first of all, we need to look for an area that is adequate for our market."