Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Extreme Weather Events 2003 - 2010
State of the Coastal Zone Summit June 7th 2012 Coastal Zone Multi-Complex Building Princess Margaret Drive, Belize City, Belize
Noreen Fairweather National Emergency Coordinator
NEMO
Dennis Gonguez Chief Meteorologist
National Meteorological Service
Background: Belize’s Climate Trends
• Latitude 16o – 18o
• Subtropical Climate
• There are two seasons:
– “Rainy” Season: May – October
– “Dry” Season: November – April
• Annual Mean Temperature: 79oF
(Highs of 95oF and Lows of 45oF)
The Facts:
• Caribbean may experience a 2oC – 3oC temperature increase
• 20% - 30% decrease in annual rainfall
• Increase intensity in flooding, erosion, and drought.
Climate Change Predictions:
Severe Weather: • Atlantic Hurricane Season: June – November • Country lies within the “Hurricane Belt” • Events are accompanied by Heavy Rainfall and strong winds.
Vulnerability of the Coastal Zone • The severity of the effects is dependent on the event
intensity, exposure and vulnerability.
• Five (5) of the major population centers are along the coast.
• Over the past decade we’ve seen impacts in the form of erosion, uprooting of seagrass, reef damage and sedimentation.
Picture courtesy NEMO Picture courtesy NEMO
Coastal Erosion
Tropical Cyclones and Flooding Events
• Tropical cyclones and floods have caused the greatest natural devastation throughout Belize’s history.
• From 2003 – 2010 there has been four (4) tropical storms, one (1) hurricane and other smaller storms.
• Heightened activity in the Atlantic hurricane basin makes Belize particularly vulnerable each hurricane season.
Hurricane Dean
• Made landfall August 21st 2007 as a Category 5 (165 miles per hour) Hurricane 43 miles northeast of Corozal Town near Majahual Mexico.
• Roughly 1650 persons left homeless in Corozal Rural: – 275 houses completely destroyed
– 451 partially destroyed
– Chunox was the hardest hit: • 115 houses destroyed
• 273 houses damaged
– Housing losses totalled US$2.94 million
• In Orange Walk: – 800 homes were affected
– 260 persons left homeless
– San Pablo and San Jose suffered the most loss
– Housing losses totalled US$1.75 million
• There were agricultural losses as well: – Fruta Bomba lost about 600 acres of papaya.
– 6000 acres of sugar cane was affected
– Losses amounted to US$1.8 million and US5.5 million in foreign exchange
• In northern Belize an estimated 15% – 25% of beach was lost along the coastline.
• Approximately 60% of standing vegetation was toppled
Tropical Storm Arthur
• Made landfall near Stann Creek with winds at only 40 mph on May 31st 2008.
• Torrential rains caused major flooding in the Stann Creek Area.
• There was 10 inches or rain and 7 lives were lost.
Kendall Bridge, Sittee River ITVET building near Melinda
Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department
Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department
Flooding and destruction in the Stann Creek Valley
Remnants of Tropical Depression #16
• Produced the most memorable flooding event in recent history.
• The remnant low pressure system lasted from 13th – 20th October 2008.
• Belize and Sibun Rivers received bulk of the rainfall in excess of 20 inches.
• Macal River rose 6 meters above the temporary bridge in San Ignacio.
Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department
Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department Picture Courtesy Meteorology Department
Flooding on the Mopan and Macal Branches (Top) Belize River at Benque Viejo (left) and San Ignacio (right)
Tropical Storm Alex • Made landfall north of Belize City on June 26th 2010.
• Winds 65 mph and 6 inches of rain
• Did very little damage.
Belize radar image of Tropical Storm Alex just near to landfall.
Tropical Storm Karl • Made landfall southern coast of Yucatan, Mexico (53 miles
northeast of Corozal) on September 15th 2010
• Maximum sustained winds were at 60 mph.
Belize radar image of Tropical Storm Karl at landfall
Tropical Storm Matthew • Made landfall on September 25th 2010 near Monkey River
Village with sustained winds of 40 mph.
• Produced a lot of rain and no significant damage.
Hurricane Richard • Made landfall about 30 miles south of Belize City near Gale’s
Point, Manatee on October 24th 2010 with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph.
• Surge heights were 4.5 ft. in Belize City area
• Estimated loss of BZ$49.2 million
Radar image of Hurricane Richard at 5:15 p.m. 24th October 2010
Other Events • Severe flooding event in Belize City on August 29th 2007
• 7.7 inches of rain
Belize City flooding on North Front Street (left) and corner Cleghorn and Mapp streets (right)
Year Climatic Event
2003 Extreme Temperatures: Belize experienced a severe dry season. Heat waves in April and May resulted in degraded pastures which affected the livestock and poultry (5000 chickens died) and caused widespread bush fires.
2004 Hurricane activity was well above normal with 16 named storms forming in the North Atlantic Basin. However, the only hurricane that posed a threat to Belize was Ivan, which came within 326 miles NE of Belize City in September.
2005 Tropical Cyclones: Atlantic hurricane season was one of the most active of record. Hurricane Wilma threaten Belize with no significant damage reported.
2007 Extreme Temperatures: This year saw the ‘end’ of the extreme temperatures which started out in 2003. • Three major forest fires in the Mountain Pine Ridge, resulting in some 20,000 acres of
natural, regenerating pine trees destroyed. • More than 2000 chickens died.
2008 Earthquake: Southern Belize; Damage $0.6 million. Fire: Waste Disposal Site Belize (30acres); Damage $0.35 million.
Other Climatic Events
Disaster Management, Mitigation & Response
• Very diverse coastal area
• Some natural features provide exceptional coastal protection.
• Disaster Risk Management
– Focuses on reducing exposure and vulnerability and increase resilience
– Severe weather events will become increasingly threatening to coastal communities.
– Prioritizing of DRM activities are critical
References • Technical Report on Hurricane Dean, D. Gonguez, NMHS • NEMO Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Report,
Hurricane Dean, 1st August 2007) • Technical Report on Tropical Storm Arthur, D. Gonguez, NMHS • Report on 2008 Tropical Depression 16, D. Gonguez and R.
Williams, NMHS. • Tropical Storm Alex the first named storm of the 2010 Atlantic
Hurricane Season • Technical Report Prepared By C. Cumberbatch, Meteorologist • Meteorological Report on Tropical Storm Karl, 14th to 15th
September 2010, F. Wellington, forecaster, NMHS\ • Technical report on tropical Storm Matthew, F. Tench,
Forecaster, NMHS • Hurricane Richard, Assessment Report, Damage Assessment
and Needs Analysis, DANA/ NEMO.
Questions
Kindly e-mail questions to:
Or
Thank You
