HURRICANE EARL HITS BELIZE HEADING SOUTH MEXICO

Belize gave the all clear at 9 a.m. The country's Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City was shut down ahead of the hurricane, but would resume operations Thursday, the country's emergency management organization said.

 

The storm was over northwestern Guatemala about 95 miles southeast of Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico, and was moving west at 10 mph as of 5 p.m. ET Thursday, the hurricane center said. The tropical storm is expected to weaken to a tropical depression Thursday night, the hurricane center said.                      

Although weakened, the tropical storm could still bring up to a foot of rain to parts of Belize, Guatemala, and southeastern Mexico through Friday, raising the possibility of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, the hurricane center said. Hundreds of people were sheltered in Belize City and parts of Honduras overnight, local authorities said. The damage to Belize City was concentrated in impoverished areas, and residents were seen early in the day attempting repairs amid the flood waters. In Guatemala, a bridge collapsed in Melchor de Mencos near the Belize border.