Post-Hurricane Dean Report - Corozal, Belize
Just a quick note here to update those of you trying to get news from Corozal in the wake of Hurricane Dean.
Hurricane Dean made landfall at or near Majahual, Mexico, sometime around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, August 21, with sustained wind speeds of 165 mph and projected storm surge between 10 and 18 feet. Chetumal was somewhat protected by the eastern landmass, although it still experienced very high winds, heavy rains, and some street flooding; Corozal fortunately was on the easier south side of the storm. It's estimated that wind speeds in Corozal were at least 80 m.p.h., and possibly as high as 100 m.p.h.
The eye of Hurricane Dean at landfall, image from the Weather Channel.
As of Tuesday evening, the electricity in Corozal is still out, and likely to be out for at least another 48 hours. And the majority of the telephone lines came down in the storm, so email and land-line telephone communications are pretty much out. However, oddly enough, Belize cell phone communications are still working. So until their cell phone batteries die, you can contact people that way.
If you urgently need to contact American friends or relatives in the area, the American Embassy representative in Corozal, Loreta Randall, has a generator and an intact Internet satellite dish with functioning email: 22palms (at) hughes (dot) net . This should only be used in case of an emergency; otherwise, I recommend patience until communication services are restored.
I've not heard of any serious injuries in Corozal from the storm. There was, however, significant property damage from the high winds. My husband -- who's there visiting his folks, what timing! -- reports that almost all of the trees in Corozal are down. From north of College Hill, he can see all the way to the bay, a view that used to be blocked by all the trees. The BDF -- Belize's army -- are already in town with machetes, chopping and clearing the debris from streets and power lines.
Mark and his family, including my sister-in-law Vikki and her one-month-old baby Nicolette Marguerite, are safe & sound, along with 15 people from their neighborhood who spent the night in the living room of Patti's new house.
Since the prevailing storm winds were out of the west in Corozal, the storm surge in Corozal Bay was minimal, said to be less than 2 feet. I'm told that flooding is NOT a problem in Corozal, contrary to the Weather Channel's evening report.
The worst property damage in the "gringo community" that I've heard of was to Gregg & Connie's house, my former next-door neighbors and owners of the Copa Banana Bed and Breakfast. As far as I know their hotel is intact, but the palapa roof of their home collapsed. Next door to them, Jim & Melanie's enormous palapa roof withstood the storm. Down the street, Colleen Gundy's drive is completely blocked by uprooted trees, but she and her house are reportedly safe. Roger and Deema Thompson also weathered the storm well in Corozal Town, only 1 building away from the sea, but lost their Internet satellite and with it their email.
I will add more updates as I can get them, meanwhile, if you have any questions you are welcome to email me at margaret (at) localgringos (dot) com.
--Margaret (a.k.a. MaggieBelize)
Hurricane Dean made landfall at or near Majahual, Mexico, sometime around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, August 21, with sustained wind speeds of 165 mph and projected storm surge between 10 and 18 feet. Chetumal was somewhat protected by the eastern landmass, although it still experienced very high winds, heavy rains, and some street flooding; Corozal fortunately was on the easier south side of the storm. It's estimated that wind speeds in Corozal were at least 80 m.p.h., and possibly as high as 100 m.p.h.
The eye of Hurricane Dean at landfall, image from the Weather Channel.
As of Tuesday evening, the electricity in Corozal is still out, and likely to be out for at least another 48 hours. And the majority of the telephone lines came down in the storm, so email and land-line telephone communications are pretty much out. However, oddly enough, Belize cell phone communications are still working. So until their cell phone batteries die, you can contact people that way.
If you urgently need to contact American friends or relatives in the area, the American Embassy representative in Corozal, Loreta Randall, has a generator and an intact Internet satellite dish with functioning email: 22palms (at) hughes (dot) net . This should only be used in case of an emergency; otherwise, I recommend patience until communication services are restored.
I've not heard of any serious injuries in Corozal from the storm. There was, however, significant property damage from the high winds. My husband -- who's there visiting his folks, what timing! -- reports that almost all of the trees in Corozal are down. From north of College Hill, he can see all the way to the bay, a view that used to be blocked by all the trees. The BDF -- Belize's army -- are already in town with machetes, chopping and clearing the debris from streets and power lines.
Mark and his family, including my sister-in-law Vikki and her one-month-old baby Nicolette Marguerite, are safe & sound, along with 15 people from their neighborhood who spent the night in the living room of Patti's new house.
Since the prevailing storm winds were out of the west in Corozal, the storm surge in Corozal Bay was minimal, said to be less than 2 feet. I'm told that flooding is NOT a problem in Corozal, contrary to the Weather Channel's evening report.
The worst property damage in the "gringo community" that I've heard of was to Gregg & Connie's house, my former next-door neighbors and owners of the Copa Banana Bed and Breakfast. As far as I know their hotel is intact, but the palapa roof of their home collapsed. Next door to them, Jim & Melanie's enormous palapa roof withstood the storm. Down the street, Colleen Gundy's drive is completely blocked by uprooted trees, but she and her house are reportedly safe. Roger and Deema Thompson also weathered the storm well in Corozal Town, only 1 building away from the sea, but lost their Internet satellite and with it their email.
I will add more updates as I can get them, meanwhile, if you have any questions you are welcome to email me at margaret (at) localgringos (dot) com.
--Margaret (a.k.a. MaggieBelize)
Thanks, Margaret,
I've been trying to reach Hugo, who has a US phone number, but all I get is a chance to leave a recorded msg. Peter, usually a good source, is off line, as is Phil Freitag!
I knew the bay would be empty, so no surge, but this is the 3rd largest recorded Hurricane!! 185 mpg winds in some reports. Good to hear that there are apparently no fatalities.
RZ
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Hello,
My name is Aleida and I live in Massachusetts since 1986 but I am a native of Corozal Town and my house is at #33 4th Avenue in Corozal Town. I am glad to have some kind of news from Corozal thrue your article, even though we live here in the USA, I am always very interested in knowing from home specially when we have this kind of natural disasters. I have spoke to my cousin who lives home in Corozal and he told me that part of the roof of my house blew away and water came in and damage our furniture and mattresses, happily they are all fine in health. Hope to hear more news thrue your article specially now that Belize is expecting another hurricane to hit them. Thank you for having this means of communication for people like me that is always looking to hear from our love ones and what is going on in our home town. Sincerely Aleida Batista
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