Belize's Hurricane Season: What's The Real Danger?

Belize is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in the low-lying areas of Belize City. The country is affected by hurricanes around seven times a year, although they don't always make landfall. The hurricane season in Belize lasts from early June to late November.

Since 1930, there have been 16 hurricanes in Belize, eight of which were major hurricanes. The deadliest hurricane in Belize's history was in 1931, when a storm hit Belize City, killing around 2,500 people. More recently, in 2001, Hurricane Iris destroyed over 80% of homes and infrastructure in the poor Toledo and Stann Creek Districts, and authorities attributed 28 deaths to the hurricane.

Belize's hurricane history

Belize is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in the low-lying areas of Belize City. The country experiences hurricanes frequently, with storms occurring around seven times a year on average. However, hurricanes often do not make landfall in Belize, instead turning northward beforehand.

Belize's hurricane season usually lasts from early June to late November. The most affected regions are Belize and Corozal. The cayes and coastal areas are the most sensitive to hurricane damage, including popular destinations such as San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Placencia on the mainland.

Since 1930, there have been 16 hurricanes that have either made landfall in Belize or passed close enough to cause damage or loss of life. Eight of these were major hurricanes. The deadliest hurricane in Belize's history occurred in 1931, when a Category 4 hurricane with 135 mph winds made landfall at Belize City, killing approximately 2,500 people.

In 1961, Hurricane Hattie, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall just south of Belize City. It brought strong winds and a storm surge that destroyed over 70% of the buildings in Belize City, and severely impacted the citrus, timber, cocoa, and banana industries. Approximately 307 people died as a result of Hattie, and the devastation forced the government to relocate the country's capital inland to higher ground. The new city of Belmopan was constructed as a result.

In 2000, Hurricane Keith made landfall in Belize as a strong Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread flooding and severe damage to homes and infrastructure. The storm was responsible for 19 deaths and an estimated $280 million in damages.

In 2001, Hurricane Iris, a small but powerful Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds, devastated the southern Toledo District. Iris destroyed over 80% of homes and infrastructure in the poor Toledo and Stann Creek Districts, and authorities attributed 28 deaths to the hurricane.

In 2022, Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District. The storm affected 94,271 residents and dumped four to six inches of rain across Belize.

Other notable hurricanes that have impacted Belize include Hurricane Fifi in 1974, Hurricane Greta in 1977, Hurricane Mitch in 1998, Hurricane Dean in 2007, Hurricane Felix in 2007, Hurricane Earl in 2016, and Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

The impact of hurricanes on Belize

Belize is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, and their associated impacts, including flooding, wind damage, and storm surges. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and sea level rise. Belize is also at risk of extreme temperature events. According to the Natural Disaster Hotspot study by the World Bank, the country is ranked 61st in the world for relative mortality risk from multiple hazards and 8th out of 167 countries for climate risk.

Hurricanes occur frequently in Belize, with an average of seven hurricanes per year. However, hurricanes often do not make landfall in Belize, instead turning northward beforehand. The remnants of these hurricanes cause gusts of wind and rain on land. The most affected regions are Belize and Corozal.

The hurricane season in Belize usually lasts from early June to late November. The most severe hurricane to make landfall in Belize in the past 12 months was Hurricane Idalia, which reached wind speeds of up to 102 km/h on August 28, 2023, at 12:00 am local time near San Pedro.

Belize has experienced several devastating hurricanes in the past, including:

• Hurricane Iris (2001): A small but powerful Category Four hurricane with 145 mph winds. It destroyed over 80% of homes and infrastructure in the poor Toledo and Stann Creek Districts, and authorities attributed 28 deaths to the hurricane.
• Hurricane Eta and Iota (2020): Although these Category Four storms did not make landfall in Belize, they dumped large amounts of rain, resulting in widespread flooding.
• British Honduras Hurricane (1931): The deadliest storm to impact Belize, claiming an estimated 2,500 lives. The hurricane hit Belize City as a strong Category Four hurricane, and approximately 70% of all buildings in the city were damaged by the storm surge and strong winds.
• Hurricane Hattie (1961): A Category Four hurricane that made landfall just south of Belize City. Hattie brought strong winds and a storm surge that destroyed over 70% of the buildings in Belize City, and the citrus, timber, cocoa, and banana industries were nearly obliterated. Approximately 307 people died in Belize as a result of Hattie.
• Hurricane Keith (2000): Landfall in Belize as a strong Category Four hurricane. Keith destroyed homes and severely affected the electricity grid and telephone services, with damage estimated at over $280 million. There were 19 deaths attributed to the hurricane.

The worst hurricanes to hit Belize

Belize, a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, has been hit by several hurricanes since records began in 1851. Here is a list of some of the worst hurricanes to strike the nation:

Hurricane Janet (1955)

Hurricane Janet was one of only two hurricanes to make landfall in Belize with Category 5 strength. The hurricane caused massive flooding in the northern districts, leaving 16 people dead and 20,000 homeless.

British Honduras Hurricane (1931)

The British Honduras Hurricane, also known as Storm Five, was a Category 4 hurricane that struck Belize City on September 10, 1931. With winds of up to 135 mph, it is the deadliest hurricane in the country's history, claiming an estimated 2,500 lives.

Hurricane Hattie (1961)

Hurricane Hattie, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall just south of Belize City on October 31, 1961. The storm brought strong winds and a storm surge that destroyed over 70% of the buildings in Belize City. The hurricane resulted in approximately 307 deaths and led to the relocation of the country's capital to the newly constructed city of Belmopan.

Hurricane Keith (2000)

Hurricane Keith was a strong Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Belize on October 1, 2000. The storm caused widespread flooding and severe damage to homes and critical infrastructure, including the electricity grid and telephone services. Keith resulted in 19 deaths and an estimated $280 million in damages.

Hurricane Iris (2001)

Hurricane Iris was a small but powerful Category 4 hurricane that struck southern Belize on October 9, 2001. With winds of 145 miles per hour, Iris destroyed over 80% of homes and infrastructure in the Toledo and Stann Creek Districts. The hurricane resulted in 28 deaths and caused extensive damage to the agricultural sector.

How hurricanes have changed over time

Hurricanes in Belize occur frequently, with an average of seven hurricanes per year. However, they often do not make landfall in Belize, instead turning northward beforehand. Since 1930, there have been 16 hurricanes, eight of which were major hurricanes, that have either made landfall in Belize or passed close enough to cause damage or loss of life.

Hurricanes have changed significantly over time. The intensity, frequency, and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes, as well as the frequency of the strongest (Category 4 and 5) hurricanes, have all increased since the early 1980s. This trend is projected to continue as the climate continues to warm. Warmer sea surface temperatures, a consequence of global warming, have intensified tropical storm wind speeds, increasing the potential for damage if the hurricanes make landfall. In addition, warmer sea temperatures have resulted in wetter hurricanes, with 10-15% more precipitation from storms projected.

The combination of more intense hurricanes and rising sea levels poses a significant threat to coastal regions. Sea levels have risen by roughly 7-8 inches since 1900 and are expected to continue rising, exacerbating the impact of storm surges associated with hurricanes. Higher sea levels give coastal storm surges a higher starting point, allowing them to reach higher and penetrate further inland. This increases the risk of coastal flooding and the potential for more severe damage.

The warming of mid-latitudes may also be changing the pattern of tropical storms, leading to more storms occurring at higher latitudes. While there is uncertainty regarding the mechanism causing this shift, it is clear that storms are "stalling" and subjecting coastal regions to higher total rainfall, stronger winds, and prolonged storm surges.

In addition to the environmental impacts, the growing population density on coastlines further increases the destructive potential of hurricanes. Approximately 40% of the US population, about 123 million people, live in coastal counties. The concentration of people and infrastructure along coastlines has resulted in rising financial tolls from storms.

To mitigate the impacts of more intense hurricanes and protect coastal communities, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement measures to enhance resilience. Strategies such as preserving coastal wetlands, ensuring new development avoids flood-prone areas, elevating vulnerable buildings, and implementing resilient building codes can help reduce the potential for damage and protect lives and property.

How to prepare for a hurricane in Belize

Belize is prone to hurricanes, storms, and the associated flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in the country's largest city, Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and sea level rise.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, and tropical storms and hurricanes often threaten to hit Belize. In the past, major hurricanes have caused extensive damage, serious injuries, and deaths. The cayes and coastal areas are the most sensitive to hurricane damage, including popular destinations such as San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Placencia on the mainland.

Before the Hurricane

• Sign up for alerts: Stay informed about hurricane alerts and warnings by signing up for alerts from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Stock up on non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and any other supplies you may need during and after the hurricane.
• Protect your home: Board up windows and doors, reinforce your roof, and remove or secure any outdoor objects that could become projectiles during strong winds.
• Develop an evacuation plan: Identify a safe place to evacuate to, and plan your route and transportation in advance.
• Review insurance policies: Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for your home and belongings, including flood insurance if you are in a flood-prone area.

During the Hurricane

• Stay indoors: Do not go outside during the hurricane. Find a safe place to ride out the storm, such as a designated hurricane shelter or an interior room without windows.
• Stay informed: Listen to local authorities and weather updates through radio, TV, or the internet.
• Avoid flooded areas: Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of water can carry away your vehicle.

After the Hurricane

• Stay cautious: Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines. Be cautious of wild or stray animals, and watch for fallen trees or power lines that may block roads.
• Check for injuries: Provide first aid for anyone who may be injured, and get them to a hospital if needed.
• Take photos of damage: If your home or property has been damaged, take photos for insurance purposes. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning: Do not use generators, grills, or other gasoline-powered machines inside your home, garage, or near windows, as they can produce deadly carbon monoxide gas.

Frequently asked questions