Richard becomes a hurricane, threatens Belize

October 24, 2010 has become a hurricane with winds of 85 mph (155 kph) according to the Miami-based .It is heading west-northwestward and is expected to make landfall in Belize sometime this evening.

Richard is located 95 mi (155 km) east of, Belize, however it is still dumping heavy rains in Honduras. Sections of the north coast of Honduras, from westward to Puerto Cortes and the Bay Islands including Rotan, Utila and Guanaja, as well as the entire country of Belize are still under a hurricane warning according to the Hurricane Center. A tropical storm warning is also up for east coast of from Punta Gruesa to Chetumal. The tropical storm warning and watch are discontinued for areas east of Limón eastward to the Honduras/Nicaragua border.

The Hurricane Center is warning people residing in hurricane warning areas to brace for hurricane conditions by this evening and to rush all preparations to completion. The first bands of Richard brining tropical storm forced winds are expected to arrive within twelve to eighteen hours. Hurricane force winds extend 15 mi (30 km) from the center, while topical storm force winds extend 105 mi (165 km).

The hurricane is expected to plow through Belize and Mexico before emerging into the Bay of Campeche as a depression. The depression could pose a threat to oil rigs in the Bay of Campeche.

Full Wikinews coverage of the 2010 hurricane season