Hurricane Earl - Aug 2016

Tropical Storm (TS) Earl was expected to make landfall on Belize, on Wednesday, 3 August 2016, and to further develop into a Category 1 Hurricane. (UNCT, 2 Aug 2016)

In Dominican Republic, due to the passage of a low pressure system, heavy rain and strong winds have been affecting several parts of the country over the past few days, causing floods and landslides. According to media reports, as of 1 August, six people have been killed, at least 12 have been injured, and traffic and transport have been disrupted throughout the country. (ECHO, 2 Aug 2016)

Hurricane Earl made landfall in Belize in the early hours of Thursday, 4 August. 2,500 people were housed in 94 shelters, while 10,000 needed humanitarian assistance, mainly shelter supplies. The Red Cross allocated 143,000 Swiss Francs in emergency funds and OCHA provided a US $50,000 emergency grant for immediate response in Belize.(OCHA, 31 Aug 2016)

In Mexico, the number of casualties reached 54, the state of Puebla being the most affected. (RedHum, 16 Aug 2016)

In Honduras, 151 people affected in four departments (Islas de la Bahía, Colon, Gracias a Dios y Cortés); 11 people are in shelters in 3 departments (Islas de la Bahía, Colon, y Cortés; 3 houses damaged in Cortés; Classes were suspended in seven departments in the north costal area; Two international airports were closed (Cortés and Atlántida). A fishing boat was wrecked with 81 persons rescued, 1 still missing.

In Guatemala, 55 people in shelters in the department of Petén. Classes were suspended in the departments of Izabal and Petén. (OCHA, 4 Aug 2016)