The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Earl threatened to bring heavy rains, flooding and high winds to Belize and Mexico. Late Wednesday afternoon, Earl was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Maj. Shelton DeFour, national coordinator of Belize's National Emergency Management Organization in Belmopan, said the cays — low-lying islands — were among the priorities in making hurricane preparations. A hurricane warning was in place for Belize, parts of Mexico and islands off Honduras' north coast. Long lines of vehicles formed at gas stations across Belize as residents filled their tanks in advance of Earl's arrival.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 04, 2016 01:03 UTC