These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides. Recent ham radio reports indicate that more than 22 inches of rain have fallen to the west of Belize City since Saturday, September 30. Additional rainfall accumulations resulting from Keith could exceed 10 to 15 inches. Damage in Belize is reported to be concentrated in the northernmost islands and the northern tip of the mainland, particularly in San Pedro, a tourist resort on Ambergris Caye off the coast, and Caye Caulker, a tiny island 19 miles east of Belize City. Structural damage from wind and water is said to be extensive.
Evacuations are underway in the northern part of the country.
The population of Belize City was also advised to evacuate to the capital city of Belmopan. No deaths have been reported in Belize yet. A pre-packaged module of relief commodities, including blankets, plastic sheeting, water jugs, and a health kit designed to assist 1,000 individuals, will be deployed with the team from Miami. After a long holding pattern off shore, Hurricane Keith made landfall over southeastern Mexico and northeastern Belize on the morning of October 1. The U.S. Ambassador to Belize declared a disaster in response to the hurricane on October 2.