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Hurricane Earl heads for landfall in Belize Hurricane Earl strengthens on landfall in Belize
(about 5 hours later)
Hurricane Earl is heading for landfall in the Caribbean nation of Belize, felling trees and power lines as it heads westwards, officials say. Hurricane Earl is gathering strength as it makes landfall in Belize, in Central America, officials say.
About 400 people have been evacuated from Belize's northern islands as the country is battered by storm winds. The US National Hurricane Center says Earl now has speeds of up to 130km/h (80mph), with the eye of the storm now passing just north of Belize City.
Heavy rains from the storm also fell on Honduras and led to hundreds of people taking cover on the Caribbean coast. Belize's National Emergency Management Organisation (Nemo) warned of flash flooding and mudslides in Earl's wake.
The US National Hurricane Center said Earl was blowing at speeds of up to 121km/h (75mph). Heavy rains have fallen on Honduras. The storm is forecast to continue through northern Guatemala into Mexico.
Residents of Belize City and other coastal communities are being urged by the authorities to move inland and take advantage of higher ground or a network of storm shelters. Residents of Belize City and other coastal communities have been urged by the authorities to move inland and take advantage of higher ground or a network of storm shelters.
Officials have ordered the closure of the city's international airport while archaeological reserves and national parks were also shut. Officials ordered the closure of the city's international airport while archaeological reserves and national parks were also shut.
The storm is expected to lessen when it reaches the coast and moves inland. The storm is expected to lessen when as it moves inland.
But in the meantime Belize's National Emergency Management Organisation has warned that heavy rain could cause flash floods and mud slides, and create a storm surge along the shore. But in the meantime, Nemo officials say heavy rain could cause flash floods and mudslides, with a storm surge possible along the shore.
It has warned of trees being blown down, power cuts and damage to houses and buildings which will be hit by flying objects and projectiles. They have warned of trees being blown down, power cuts and damage to houses and buildings which will be hit by flying objects and projectiles.
Non-essential government workers were on Wednesday given time off work to secure their properties. After the hurricane passes through across Belize, it is expected to go through a northern rural part of Guatemala and from there into south-eastern Mexico.
After the hurricane passes through across Belize it is expected to go through a northern rural part of Guatemala and from there into south-eastern Mexico.
Guatemala at this time of the year has its rainy season with often fatal flooding and mudslides.Guatemala at this time of the year has its rainy season with often fatal flooding and mudslides.
Mexican authorities meanwhile say that the southern states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan are likely to be affected by Earl and have issued an alert. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities say that the southern states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan are likely to be affected by Earl and have issued an alert.
The storm knocked over a large numbers of trees and utility poles in Honduras, officials say.The storm knocked over a large numbers of trees and utility poles in Honduras, officials say.
At least nine people died on Monday in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the storm passed over the Caribbean.At least nine people died on Monday in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as the storm passed over the Caribbean.
Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are all part of the same weather phenomenon but different names are used depending on where the storms are formed. Hurricanes form east of the International Date Line, while typhoons and cyclones form to the west.Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are all part of the same weather phenomenon but different names are used depending on where the storms are formed. Hurricanes form east of the International Date Line, while typhoons and cyclones form to the west.