NEMO Urges Vigilance Despite Reduced Threat from Hurricane Beryl

And while Hurricane Beryl now poses less threat to Belize, NEMO advises residents to remain in place as the storm’s outer bands approach. Earlier today, the Cabinet was briefed about the situation and made decisions on the opening hours for businesses in the northern districts. The government allowed businesses in the Belize and Orange District to do business as usual today and tomorrow. While business owners welcomed the news, it was critiqued by many who felt it indicated a lack of concern for the storm. However, National Emergency Coordinator Daniel Mendez clarified that the decision sought to lessen panic and economic impacts on the business sector.

Captain Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO: “It is finding that balance between safety and keeping the country open. We take all of the information that we have been receiving from the Met Service to make that best judgment. And so it’s really finding that right balance. So we’re not in panic mode. We are really trying to see how we can ensure that things continue as normal while at the same time remaining prepared for the possible effects of the storm. And so… we constantly do our risk assessments. We take in new information. We’re looking at how we can ensure that the exposure of, people’s exposure is minimized, but at the same time keeping things going. So it’s just like with the Met Service it’s not an exact science. We cannot say the entire country will be affected, but we have to go on a case by case basis, hour by hour basis, and really looking at that using that information for us to be able to update our risk assessments and to advise the government accordingly on what needs to be done.”

Nemo’s hotline is 936.