By NEMO Press Officer
The National Emergency Management Organization has declared the all clear or green phase for the entire country of Belize.
This means that weather conditions are now safe for the resumption of normal operations. Those residents who voluntarily departed their homes may now return.
At 6:00 a.m. the center of Hurricane Emily was located over the Yucatan Peninsula near latitude 21.2 degrees north and longitude 88.9 degrees west. This position is about 50 miles east north-east of Merida, Mexico. Emily is moving towards the west north-west at 17 miles per hour. This motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Emily is expected to emerge into the Gulf of Mexico later this morning. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 100 miles per hour with higher gusts. Emily is a category 2 hurricane and some re-strengthening is expected when Emily moves back over water.
NEMO advise the public to exercise extreme caution when traveling on the sea and the highways. Be on the lookout for heavy showers which could result in flooding of low lying areas, including roads and bridges.
NEMO wishes to thank all those who assisted in preserving life and property during the period when the country was threaten by Hurricane Emily. NEMO wishes all those residents who were displaced a safe return to their homes.
Belmopan
July 18, 2005.