Even if it is just a small tropical depression that is only forecasted to bring rain, one should never underestimate these storms during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The second tropical depression of the 2013 season hit Belize today, June 17, 2013, and has been drenching the country with much rainfall and expected winds of up to 35mph.
The effects on Ambergris Caye can be seen with much beach erosion as the large waves have been pounding the beaches, piers and seawalls. Some coconut trees along the beach are in danger of toppling over, while tons of sea grass has been piling up as well. Business is slow – dive boats cannot go out to sea. Classes have been canceled during the beginning of exam week, one cannot walk the beach and enjoy a sunny day and most boat owners have opted to tie up their vessels or haul them up to land to protect them. There have even been some flights cancelled to Belize City after the Municipal Airport there had to be closed down due to flooding of the runway.
But the most important thing is that the tropical depression is not posing any immediate danger to Belize. Mother Nature is releasing some of its energy and we just have to cope with it and be thankful that we are mostly only getting lots of rain. The Belize National Emergency Management Organization has only advised against possible flooding in low lying areas in the country. The storm is expected to move away from Belize by Tuesday afternoon, with conditions looking much better.
Boat owners remove their vessels from the sea
Churning waves causing some erosion
High waves pounding the sea wall in some areas
Some boys having fun with the waves
Sea grass and debris get washed up on the beach
