Acension Bay, Ambergris Caye in Hurricane Dean Path

Punta Allen and Ascension Bay, in the heart of some of the best flats fishing on the southern Yucatan coast, were in the path of category 5 hurricane Dean this morning. The last major storm to hit the area was Wilma, on October 21, 2005; Wilma was a category 4 when it reached the area. Ascension Bay is home to Casa Blanca, Pesca Maya and Ascension Bay Bonefish Club, all resorts known for their excellent permit and bonefishing. “Among the places most at risk: Chetumal, a bayside city of 215,000 people that sits on the border with Belize, and the towns of Tulum, Punta Allen, Mahahual, Felipe Carrillo Puerto and Los Limones.” David Ovalle, Jacqueline Charles and Martin Merzer for the MIami Herald.
The Associate Press reported at 7:35 this morning that “The eye of the storm made landfall about 4:30 a.m. EDT near Majahual, a popular port with cruise liners located about 40 miles east-northeast of Chetumal and the Belize border, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.”
Late reports from Ambergris Key, south of the landfall and home to El Pescador lodge, were that the although power was mostly out, the storm surge was only about 3 feet.