Traffic Accident on Coconut Drive!

An unfortunate accident involving a KIA Sportage and a Club Car Golf Cart took place this evening at the North-East corner of the San Pedro Airstrip (on Coconut Drive).
Details are sketchy at this point as to what led to the accident, and The San Pedro Sun will be investigating and getting the details as they become available.

BEL Working to Restore Power Following Passage of Hurricane Richard

Press Release - October 25, 2010 - BEL - Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that the Company conducted a damage assessment earlier today and has commenced restoration works to provide power supply to areas affected by power outages since the passage of Hurricane Richard on Sunday.

The hurricane caused downed power lines and damaged utility poles in several parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts. Employees are working diligently to restore power as soon as possible with top priority placed on restoration to critical services such as hospitals.

As part of the restoration works, BEL work crews are thoroughly inspecting distribution power lines as well as service connections to customers’ homes and businesses to ensure that it is safe to energize each community. BEL must ensure that these issues are addressed before energizing power systems in various communities because live wires lying in water presents a critical safety hazard to the public.

Customers along the Western Highway from La Democracia to Blackman Eddy may not have power restored until Tuesday due to extensively damaged transmission lines.

Power supply has been restored to Independence Village, Punta Gorda Town and surrounding areas. The Company expects to restore power to approximately 50% of customers in Dangriga Town and surrounding areas some time today, while repairs to damaged infrastructure continues.

In Belmopan, San Ignacio and surrounding areas, the Company is aiming to restore power supply to at least 80% of customers by later tonight.

In Belize City, power will likely be restored to 60% of customers tonight and in Ladyville and Hattieville, 90% of customers.

Pockets of customers in all affected areas will remain without power due to extensively damaged infrastructure and these areas need to remain disconnected in order to carry out repairs.

The Northern Zone, which includes the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts and San Pedro Town were not affected by power outages due to Hurricane Richard.

BEL thanks customers for their patience and will continue to provide updated information as it becomes available.

-END-

BTB Reports Travel Destinations Are In Good Shape

As of 10:00 a.m. MST today, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is reporting all key tourism destinations are in good shape following the passing of Hurricane Richard. The eye of Hurricane Richard reportedly made landfall around 7:45 pm MST on Sunday along the coast of Belize, roughly 20 miles south-southwest of Belize City. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 90 mph.

As of this morning, the Belize National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) gave clearance for all in-country transportation services to resume operation, and the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize City has reopened, allowing all airline carriers to resume flights in to Belize. While NEMO posted its last official report online at 7:20 p.m. MST on Sunday, the BTB has learned major tourist destinations including San Pedro and Caye Caulker have electricity and running water, and are in good condition. Destinations like Placencia, Punta Gorda and Hopkins are reportedly in good shape, however, electricity has not yet been restored.

While damage assessments are still underway, early reports indicate the areas primarily affected by Hurricane Richard are in and around Belize City. Richard’s overall impact in Belize City includes flooding, power outages and downed trees. Any additional information regarding Hurricane Richard can be found through NEMO’s website, www.nemo.org.bz or by calling the emergency line at (501) 822-0153.

Those attempting to reach family members or loved ones vacationing in Belize may experience some communication delays with e-mail and phone. However, the public is encouraged to visit the BTB’s emergency online site, www.belizeemergency.net, for the latest updates and information regarding any and all restoration efforts.

Images of Richard

While San Pedro hunkered down for Hurricane Richard many residents could not resist going to the beach to admire the waves. Although there was plenty of rain, the winds did not exceed 50mph. Some piers along the beach sustained damage and beach side foliage took a beating as well.

On the mainland damage assessments are still underway, with early reports indicating that the areas primarily affected by Hurricane Richard are in and around Belize City. Belize City is currently without electricity in many areas and Internet services throughout the country are intermittent.

SP Lion's Club Collects Donations for Hurricane Richard Victims

The International Lions Club of San Pedro is collecting donations of clothing and canned foods for the mainland victims of Hurricane Richard. The SP Lion’s Den will be open this afternoon and all day tomorrow where donations can be dropped off.

For more information please contact President Melanie Paz at 620-1281.

U.S. Embassy Is Open Today

U.S. Embassy Belmopan
Press Release
Belmopan, October 25

The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan informs the public that the Embassy’s Consular section is open today, Monday, October 25, 2010. Visa applicants with appointments who can arrive by 11 am will be interviewed today. For those who cannot make their appointment today, the appointment will honored on Tuesday October 26, 2010. If applicants with appointments on Monday, October 25 cannot make their appointment on Tuesday, October 26, please schedule a new appointment using the online appointment system.

Please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website at http://belize.usembassy.gov.

NEMO Gives An "All Clear" as of 7AM

Although San Pedro and neighboring cayes have some cleaning up to do after Hurricane Richard passed through last night, we are happy to report that all is well on the island. More photos to come!

This photo was taken this morning by Elbert Greer.