The Southern Coast Feature

Tropical Storm Arthur, which formed off the coast of Belize on May 31, 2008, and quickly moved ashore, in a few hours dumped up to 15 inches of rain on the country. The flooding was the worst in three decades, and seven Belizeans drowned. Belize's tourism industry managed to escape mostly unscathed. However, one lingering impact for visitors is the loss of the Kendal Bridge over the Sittee River, at Mile 13.7 of the Southern Highway. This major bridge, between Maya Centre and Hopkins, was washed away. More than a year later, only a temporary and low-lying bridge is in place over the Sittee River, and during the rainy season (June-December in the south), the bridge is sometimes flooded, cutting off the only road between the Hopkins and the far south. It's unknown when a permanent replacement bridge will be in place. Check locally before driving or busing south of the Hopkins area. Air service to all airstrips in the south continues normally, so if necessary you can fly to Placencia, Independence, or Punta Gorda.