NEMO urges residents of the northern districts to remain alert as the center of Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to corss the coast near the Belize/Mexico border within the next hour or two.
Most of the heaviest rains and strongest winds north and east of the center will not move onshore for another six to twelve hours.
At six o'clock this evening, the center of Trropical Storm Chantal was located near Latitude 18.2 North, Longitude 87.7 West, vey near to San Pedro Ambergris Caye, and about 40 miles east southeast of Chetumal.
It is moving toward the West Northwest near 14 miles per hour.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 miles per hour and no significant change is like prior to landfall.
Forecasters expect Chantal to weaken as it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula.
Those persons who have remained at the Cayes and in low-lying areas, particularly in the northern districts, are warned to seek secure shelter and remain indoors during the course of the storm.
Any well-constructed building is able to withstand the winds and rains associated with this tropical system; but those persons who do not feel secure in their homes are urged to take advantage of the hurricane shelters now open in San Pedro and Corozal Town.
NEMO coontinues to monitor the progress of the storm and advises Belizeans in the affected areas to remain calm and remain indoors until the storm passes.
