Belize's Resilience: Battling Hurricanes With Community And Conservation

Belize is a country in Central America that is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges. The country's low-lying terrain and position on the Caribbean Sea make it particularly susceptible to the impacts of hurricanes. On average, hurricanes occur about seven times a year in Belize, with major hurricanes striking the nation about once a decade. The hurricane season in Belize typically lasts from early June to late November.

Belize has a history of devastating hurricanes, with notable examples including Hurricane Hattie in 1961, which caused the capital city to be moved inland, and the 1931 hurricane that killed 2,500 people, making it the deadliest in the country's history. In addition to hurricanes, Belize is also at risk of extreme temperature events and is ranked 8th out of 167 countries for climate risk.

Belize's hurricane season

Belize is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and sea level rise. The hurricane season in Belize usually lasts from early June to late November. During this period, travellers are advised to monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation, the US National Hurricane Centre, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), and the National Meteorological Service of Belize.

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

Since 1851, only two hurricanes have been recorded with Category 5 hurricane strength that hit or came close to Belize: Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Dean in 2007. In addition, only three Category 4 hurricanes have impacted Belize: the 1931 British Honduras hurricane, Hurricane Keith in 2000, and Hurricane Iris in 2001. The most recent tropical cyclone to hit Belize was Hurricane Lisa in 2022.

Belize is susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms due to its geographical location. About once a decade, a major hurricane strikes the nation. In 1931, a Category 4 hurricane struck Belize City, killing 2,500 people and becoming the deadliest hurricane in the country's history. In 1961, Hurricane Hattie caused significant damage to Belize City, forcing the capital city to relocate inland to Belmopan. More recently, in 2000, Hurricane Keith stalled off the shore of Belize, resulting in 19 fatalities and $280 million in damage. In 2001, Hurricane Iris made landfall in Monkey River Town, Belize, with winds of up to 145 miles per hour, causing 24 deaths and $250 million in damage.

How often hurricanes make landfall

Belize is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. The country is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding and sea level rise.

Hurricanes occur frequently in Belize, with an average of about seven hurricanes per year. However, they often do not make landfall in Belize but turn northward beforehand. The most affected regions are Belize and Corozal. The hurricane season in Belize usually lasts from early June to late November.

Since records began in 1851, only two hurricanes have been of Category 5 strength and have hit or come close to Belize: Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Dean in 2007. In addition, only three Category 4 hurricanes have impacted Belize: the 1931 British Honduras hurricane, Hurricane Keith in 2000, and Hurricane Iris in 2001. The deadliest hurricane in Belize's history was the 1931 Category 4 hurricane that struck Belize City, killing 2,500 people. Hurricane Hattie in 1961 also caused significant damage, forcing the capital city to move inland.

On average, about once a decade, a major hurricane strikes Belize. The most recent tropical cyclone to hit Belize was Hurricane Lisa in November 2022.

The impact of hurricanes on Belize's agriculture

Belize is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, particularly in Belize City. The country's low-lying terrain exacerbates the effects of flooding, and its position on the eastern Yucatán peninsula means it is struck by a major hurricane about once a decade.

Hurricanes have had a significant impact on Belize's agriculture, causing extensive damage and losses. Tropical Storm Francelia, which hit Belize in 1974, brought prolonged rainfall and extensive flooding, affecting thousands of people and causing extensive damage to crops. Hurricane Mitch, which spared Belize its full force, brought torrential rains that caused extensive damage to crops and roads. Mitch was the deadliest Atlantic hurricane since 1780, with nearly 11,000 confirmed deaths and a similar number reported missing.

In 2001, Tropical Storm Chantal produced strong winds and moderate rainfall, damaging crops and agriculture. The same year, Hurricane Iris destroyed about 5,000 acres of banana crops, 3,500 acres of rice, and 3,000 acres of corn. The storm also caused severe damage to the shrimping industry, with 25% of their catch lost, and large areas of farmland were inundated by floodwaters. Losses in the agricultural industry were estimated at $74.5 million.

In 2007, Hurricane Dean heavily impacted the crop industry in Belize, with almost $30 million worth of papaya and $3.6 million worth of sugar damaged by the storm. As a result, nearly 1,000 people lost their jobs.

Belize's vulnerability to hurricanes and the impact on its agricultural sector highlight the need for adaptation measures and disaster risk management strategies to mitigate the effects of these natural disasters.

The role of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO)

Belize is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. It is vulnerable to hurricanes, storms, flooding, wind damage, and storm surges, especially in Belize City. The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) plays a crucial role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from these natural disasters.

NEMO is responsible for monitoring and providing information about hurricanes and other natural disasters in Belize. They work closely with local communities, government agencies, and international organisations to ensure a coordinated response to hurricanes. NEMO issues timely warnings, advisories, and evacuation orders to the public, utilising various communication channels, including media broadcasts and social media updates.

During a hurricane, NEMO activates emergency operations centres and coordinates the deployment of resources to affected areas. They work with first responders, such as the police, fire departments, and medical teams, to ensure a swift and effective response. NEMO also assists in rescuing and evacuating residents who are in immediate danger or require assistance. The organisation plays a crucial role in coordinating relief efforts and distributing essential supplies, such as food, water, and temporary shelter, to impacted communities.

In the aftermath of a hurricane, NEMO conducts damage assessments to determine the extent of the destruction and identify the needs of affected communities. They coordinate with various government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and international aid groups to develop and implement recovery plans. This includes helping residents with temporary housing, repairing critical infrastructure, and providing financial assistance to those who have lost their homes or livelihoods. NEMO also plays a vital role in educating the public about hurricane preparedness and resilience measures. They provide guidance and resources to communities to help them mitigate the impact of hurricanes and enhance their ability to withstand and recover from these natural disasters.

Overall, the National Emergency Management Organisation in Belize plays a crucial role in all aspects of hurricane management, from preparedness and response to recovery and resilience. Their efforts help protect communities, save lives, and reduce the impact of hurricanes on the country.

The deadliest hurricanes in Belize's history

Belize, a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, has been hit by several deadly hurricanes since records began in 1851. Here is a list of some of the deadliest hurricanes in Belize's history:

Hurricane Hattie (1961)

Hurricane Hattie was a devastating Category 5 hurricane that caused deaths and massive damage to the country. Hattie was one of the deadliest hurricanes formed during the 1961 Atlantic hurricane season. The hurricane made landfall outside Belize City on October 31, 1961, and caused enough damage to force the capital city to move inland. The storm caused a power outage and destroyed many wooden homes, crops, government buildings, and factories. It resulted in a total of around $60 million in damages and more than 300 deaths.

Hurricane Janet (1955)

Hurricane Janet was a Category 5 hurricane that hit Belize in 1955. It caused massive flooding in the northern districts, leaving 16 people dead and 20,000 people homeless. The hurricane also destroyed the town of Corozal, reducing it to rubble with sustained winds of up to 175 mph.

Hurricane Iris (2001)

Hurricane Iris made landfall in Monkey River Town, Belize, on October 8, 2001, as a small but powerful Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds. The hurricane caused severe damage to nearly 95% of buildings in Placencia and left around 15,000 people homeless. It resulted in 31 deaths, including 20 people on a dive boat that capsized in Big Creek. The total damage was estimated at $74.5 million for the agricultural sector alone.

Hurricane Keith (2000)

Hurricane Keith was a Category 4 hurricane that lingered off the coast of Belize before making landfall. It caused heavy damage to the cayes and left thousands of people homeless. The hurricane resulted in 19 deaths and $280 million in damages.

1931 British Honduras Hurricane

The 1931 British Honduras Hurricane was the deadliest hurricane in Belize's history, killing an estimated 2,500 people. The hurricane made landfall in Belize City on September 10, 1931, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. The entire city was flooded, and 70% of it was destroyed. The U.S. Embassy building was severely damaged, and the Consul suffered fatal injuries. The total damage was estimated at $7.5 million.

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