The press then asked the NEMO Coordinator to provide details on their weekend activation to address the flood waters affecting the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts.
Colonel Shelton Defour told the media that the entire National Emergency apparatus was activated to support the coordinators in the north, and shelters were opened to accommodate families affected by the flood. Here's his in-depth report on the situation:
Colonel Shelton Defour - NEMO Coordinator
"It was not until about 3:30 thereabouts that a heavy downpour from the remnants of the passing of the area of low pressure, where the Orange Walk Town and surrounding villages were under the rain for about at least 2 hours nonstop, which caused the flooding. From our assessment on the ground, the water couldn't run off from people's yards into the street because of drainage problems, and so the water just inundated the entire Trial Farm, Blackwater area, other parts of Orange Walk Town itself, and then it partially wash out a culvert near Tower Hill area, which cause additional flooding that caused traffic to be diverted through Guinea Grass. So, we then, based on the situation, decided to open shelters in San Jose, and in the Village of Carmelita. Ten families were directly affected in Carmelita, based on the assessment received, and 2 families in San Jose. A few people did get affected up in Corozal in San Narcisco and Louisville, where the shelter was prepared to open. One of the families lives right in front of the shelter. So, it wouldn't have been any major coordination as much. And since last night, when we sent out the advisory, following up on the hydrology reports of potential flooding, in terms of their flood forecast, and monitoring the MET department's weather report, we recognize that the situation required more of NEMO's intervention, based on what was happening, and we activated NEMO to a fully operational state and was coordinated by the Ministry's operational group with the minister and the CEO. They were in communication with all the area reps in terms of the concerns, the need to protect people, public safety, and get people in a safe place. So, from that point until now, the weather has subsided a lot in terms of the rainfall amounts. But notwithstanding, the Chief MeT did say that we have to brace for 2 to 3 inches of rain per day. So NEMO across the country is fully activated. In view of the ongoing risk from rainfall, we recognized that we advise the ministry of Education to not have classes today, due to the fact that more rainfall and flooding are likely to take place."
Ronald Gordon - Chief Meteorologist
"We do have a flood warning for the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. So, that indeed means that people should be prepared for additional flooding."
According to our reports, the waters have receded and most of the shelter - seekers have been able to return home.
