Vanessa Parham

After Tropical Storm Nadine passed on October 19th, residents of San Pedro did not anticipate another weather system to impact the area in mid-November. While the hurricane season typically concludes at the end of the month, storms rarely form in November. However, this year was different, as Tropical Storm Sara emerged, bringing heavy rainfall and flooding to much of Belize, including the Cayes, over the weekend of November 17th. In San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) branch was activated to monitor the weather system. Shelters were set up, and the team remained on standby for any emergencies.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is the primary government agency responding to natural disasters and distributing humanitarian aid following the aftermath of events like a hurricane. In areas like Ambergris Caye, supplies sometimes need to be transported from the mainland, which can take additional time. Area Representative Honorable Andre Perez shared that proactive measures are being taken to address this inconvenience. Containers are being secured for both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye to house emergency equipment and supplies. Perez said this is a temporary plan as the main goal is to build or find a structure to operate as a permanent NEMO warehouse on Ambergris Caye.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially began on June 1st and will continue until November 30, 2024. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) Belize Rural South collaborates with all government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to protect the lives and property of all residents.

On Wednesday, June 19th, the first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season is forming in the western region of the Gulf of Mexico. The storm, named Alberto, has sustained winds of 40 miles per hour. According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm will move slowly to the west, approaching northeastern Mexico. The effects were also felt along the coast of Texas in the United States, with strong winds and heavy rain.

The Christmas Season is a time of sharing and giving to those less fortunate. In San Pedro Town, that has been more than a tradition with people getting together to help others. The current COVID-19 pandemic has brought unexpected hardships to everyone, but many island children still received a toy this year despite the crisis. On Sunday, December 19th, a Christmas Toy Drive giveaway hosted by well-known San Pedrana Jazelie ‘Jaz’ Azueta delivered 300 presents to children in San Mateo, San Juan, San Pedrito, and the DFC area.

Rickilee Response and Rescue (RRR) Air Evac Emergency Response Team donated $1 million worth of medical supplies to the polyclinics in San Pedro Town, Caye Caulker Village and the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) in Belize City.

As the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is at its peak month, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) held a meeting with committee members of San Pedro’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) on Wednesday, October 9th. Held at San Pedro’s NEMO branch office, the meeting reviewed the EOCs’ state of readiness and fine-tuned their plan of action in the event of a storm or extreme weather.

A fire on Caye Caulker in the early morning of Independence Day has left one dead and as many as 16 people homeless.