Major flooding on George Price Highway and Belmopan area

BELMOPAN, Mon. July 13, 2026

   Relentless rainfall across the country on Saturday, July 11, left sections of Belmopan underwater, and forced the temporary closure of the George Price Highway after floodwaters made the country’s main transportation corridor impassable.

   The most significant impact in the Cayo District was felt at Mile 45 on the George Price Highway near Mount Pleasant Creek at the entrance to Belmopan, where rising floodwaters overtopped the highway. At 9:39 a.m., the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) announced the immediate closure of the roadway, citing safety concerns. “Incessant rains in Belmopan, Las Flores, and surrounding areas in the Cayo District have precipitated the closure of the highway, as floodwaters have overtopped it and made passage unsafe. The period of closure will be until flood waters reduce to a safe level and the MIDH has had the opportunity to assess any damages,” the ministry said in a statement.

   The closure lasted approximately six and a half hours, leaving miles of traffic backed up on both sides of the flooded roadway as motorists waited for water levels to recede. The highway was reopened at 4:00 p.m., although the ministry cautioned that additional closures could become necessary if heavy rainfall continued.

   The flooding also affected several Belmopan neighborhoods, including Las Flores, Salvapan, Maya Mopan and J&W, prompting the Belmopan City Council to activate its Emergency Flood Response. Municipal crews focused on flood mitigation efforts in St. Joseph Street, Maya Mopan, Rivera and Salvapan, where rising waters inundated homes and streets. The severe weather also disrupted water services in parts of the capital, including Egoli Estate, J&W and Highland Estate, prompting the Belize Water Services to deploy a water bowser to provide emergency water supplies to affected residents.

   By Sunday, July 12, as floodwaters began to subside, the Belmopan City Council shifted its efforts toward recovery, distributing food rations to affected families while assessing the extent of the damage across the city.

   Area Representative for Belmopan, Oscar Mira also visited flood-hit communities to assist residents and assess conditions. “This is flooding that we have not seen for many years. We will be doing assessments and coordinate with the relevant emergency organizations to provide as much help to affected residents as possible,” Mira stated in a social media post.

   Although conditions in Belmopan have since improved, concerns remain downstream. On Sunday, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued a Flood Advisory for communities along the Belize River Valley, warning that rising river levels are expected to reach those areas within the next two to three days.

   NEMO is urging residents to remain vigilant, closely monitor river conditions, safeguard their property, and continue following official advisories. The organization’s emergency hotline remains available by dialing 936.