Country’s chief met officer and principal hydrologist discuss weather conditions

BELMOPAN, Thurs. June 11, 2026

   The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) says it remains on high alert following widespread reports of flash flooding across several parts of the country after heavy rainfall between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Authorities are closely monitoring conditions, particularly in southern and central Belize, where intense rainfall has led to localized flooding and concerns about rising water levels.

   According to Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon, the National Meteorological Service had issued an excessive rainfall watch earlier in the week after identifying several atmospheric conditions favorable for heavy precipitation. “We have a lot of moisture coming up from the Pacific associated with the remnants now of Cristina, the tropical wave near the surface. We also have an upper-level trough that favored a lot of convective, or thunder-storm activity developing; perfect ingredients for what has become a very wet Thursday morning,” Gordon explained.

   Data collected from Belize’s Automatic Weather Station network showed that some areas received as much as eight inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period. The heaviest rainfall was concentrated in parts of the Stann Creek District, although significant precipitation was recorded across several regions of the country. While the National Hurricane Center has noted a low possibility of development associated with the current weather system affecting the region, Gordon said Belize is not expected to face any tropical cyclone threat from the disturbance.    

   “That system moving west of us won’t have an impact if it develops. Development is very small. We don’t expect it to develop; there’s a 10 percent chance, which is very low. Very strong upper-level winds would tend to suppress any sort of development; but in either case, it would not be a threat to us in terms of a tropical cyclone,” he said.

   The heavy rainfall also affected major transportation routes. On Thursday morning, authorities announced the temporary closure of the Coastal Highway due to flooding near Manatee Junction. “At the Mile 17 post on the Coastal Highway, that is impassable. It is not advisable that you use the Coastal Road at this time,” said Principal Hydrologist, Tenielle Hendy. Hendy warned that flooding concerns extend beyond the affected areas in the south and central regions. “We’re also seeing very high potential for flooding in the north as well, mainly linked to what we call localized flooding. Quite literally, the entire country has to be on call based on what we’re seeing right now, especially those in the Central and South areas,” she said.

   With forecasts indicating that unsettled weather conditions could persist into the weekend, NEMO says emergency personnel across the country remain prepared to respond if conditions worsen. “Our teams across the country have been on alert. We have been monitoring, along with the MET Service, the passage of the rainfall. There is always the potential for further activation of the system, but at this point there has not been a need. We will keep on monitoring. The country remains on alert. The offices across the country are aware and have been making communication. If there is a need for us to activate the system, it will be done quickly,” said National Emergency Coordinator Daniel Mendez.

   NEMO is encouraging residents to remain vigilant, stay informed through official weather updates, familiarize themselves with their District Emergency Coordinators, and review their hurricane preparedness plans, as Belize enters the height of the 2026 hurricane season.