Hurricane Dorian: Will Belize Be Impacted?

Hurricane Dorian was a catastrophic Category 5 storm that wreaked havoc in the Bahamas in 2019. It was the worst natural disaster in the country's history, causing catastrophic damage and devastating entire neighbourhoods. Dorian then proceeded along the coasts of the Southeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, leaving behind significant damage and economic losses.

Belize, a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, frequently experiences hurricanes. On average, they occur about seven times a year, but often veer northward before making landfall. The hurricane season in Belize typically lasts from early June to late November. While Hurricane Dorian did not directly impact Belize, the country is no stranger to powerful storms and has been struck by major hurricanes in the past, including Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Dean in 2007.

Hurricane Dorian's path of destruction

Hurricane Dorian was an extremely powerful and catastrophic Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, which became the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas. It is tied with the 1935 Labor Day hurricane for the strongest landfall in the Atlantic basin in terms of maximum sustained winds.

Dorian developed from a tropical wave on 24 August 2019 over the Central Atlantic. The storm moved through the Lesser Antilles and became a hurricane north of the Greater Antilles on 28 August. Dorian underwent rapid intensification over the following days, before reaching its peak as a Category 5 hurricane with one-minute sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 910 millibars (26.87 inHg) by 1 September. It made landfall in the Bahamas in Elbow Cay, just east of Abaco Island, and again on Grand Bahama several hours later, where it remained nearly stationary for the next day or so.

The damage to these islands was catastrophic. Dorian flattened most structures, swept others out to sea, and left at least 70,000 people homeless. The true death toll is unknown, with 245 people still missing as of August 2020. Dorian is the costliest disaster in Bahamian history, causing a total of $5.1 billion in damage.

After devastating the Bahamas, Dorian proceeded along the coasts of the Southeastern United States and Atlantic Canada, leaving behind considerable damage and economic losses in those regions. Dorian transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on 7 September, before striking Nova Scotia and then Newfoundland with hurricane-force winds. The storm finally dissipated near Greenland on 10 September.

Belize's hurricane history

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. Since records began in 1851, only two hurricanes have had Category 5 hurricane strength and have hit or hit close by to Belize, with the two being Hurricane Janet in 1955 and Hurricane Dean in 2007.

Since 1930, there have been 16 hurricanes, 8 of which were major hurricanes, that have either made landfall in Belize or passed close enough to cause damage or loss of life. Additionally, 17 systems made landfall in Belize as Tropical Storms.

• 1931 – A Category 4 hurricane struck Belize City, killing 2,500 people and making it the deadliest hurricane in the country's history.
• 1955 – Hurricane Janet, a Category 5 hurricane, devastated Corozal Town with winds of up to 160 mph.
• 1961 – Hurricane Hattie made landfall in Belize, causing enough damage to Belize City that the capital city was forced to move inland.
• 2000 – Hurricane Keith stalled off the shore of Belize, killing 19 people and causing $280 million in damage.
• 2001 – Hurricane Iris made landfall in Monkey River Town, Belize, as a small but powerful Category 4 hurricane with 145 mph winds, killing 24 people and causing $250 million in damage.
• 2007 – Hurricane Dean made landfall just north of Belize, bringing strong winds, rain, and storm surges.
• 2016 – Hurricane Earl hit Belize with 75 mph winds, causing moderate coastal damage.
• 2022 – Hurricane Lisa made a direct hit with 85 mph winds.

Hurricane Beryl's impact

Hurricane Beryl was a historic storm. It was the easternmost hurricane to form in the Atlantic, the earliest Category 4 and 5 storm on record in the Atlantic Basin, and the strongest June and July storm by measured wind speeds.

Beryl first made landfall on the island of Carriacou in Grenada as a Category 4, then passed just south of Jamaica, eventually making landfall again on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula as a Category 3. Finally, the storm made landfall a third time in the United States in Matagorda, Texas, as a strong Category 1.

Beryl caused significant damage. Houston saw extreme flooding and numerous power outages. Beryl also caused a tornado outbreak in Louisiana, Kentucky, and Western New York as it moved northward. At least seven people died in the aftermath of the hurricane, and more than 2 million people were left without power.

Beryl has since been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but its impact continues to be felt. More than 25 million people from Arkansas to Michigan were under flood watches as the storm moved northeast. Up to 5 inches of rain and thunderstorms were possible in the storm's path, and some thunderstorms produced tornadoes.

Belize's hurricane season

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is a Caribbean country located on the northeastern coast of Central America. The country's hurricane season runs from July to October, with the most active months being August, September, and October. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30 each year, and tropical storms and hurricanes often threaten to hit Belize.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the northwest, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the south and west. The country has a population of 408,487 (as of 2019) and an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi). Its mainland is approximately 290 km (180 mi) long and 110 km (68 mi) wide.

The cayes and coastal areas of Belize, including popular destinations such as San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Placencia on the mainland, are particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage. Residents and visitors to these areas are advised to evacuate at the hurricane alert stage, before transportation services are seriously affected. The government of Belize designates specific hurricane shelters for those evacuated from tourist areas.

Since records began in 1851, only two hurricanes have been recorded as Category 5 strength when hitting or coming close to Belize. These were 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. Hurricane Iris, which made landfall in 2001, killed 24 people and caused $250 million in damage.

On average, a major hurricane strikes Belize about once a decade. The country's deadliest hurricane on record was in 1931, killing 2,500 people. Hurricane Hattie in 1961 caused sufficient damage to Belize City that the capital city had to be relocated inland. More recently, in 2000, Hurricane Keith stalled off the shore of Belize, resulting in 19 deaths and $280 million in damage.

The best time to visit Belize to avoid hurricanes and heavy rainfall is from December through April, which is also the dry season. This period offers warm to hot temperatures, sunny days, cooling trade winds, and little rain.

Hurricane preparedness

Hurricane Dorian was an extremely powerful and catastrophic Category 5 Atlantic hurricane, which became the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas. It was not, however, predicted to impact Belize.

Before the Hurricane

• Determine your risk of wind and flood damage and make a plan to evacuate or shelter safely.
• Learn your evacuation zone and routes, and identify where you will stay. Practice your evacuation plan with your household and pets.
• Gather emergency supplies, including food, water, and medicine. Prepare a Go-Kit with 3-4 days of supplies and a Stay-at-Home Kit with 2 weeks' worth of supplies.
• Protect your home by securing outdoor items, anchoring objects that cannot be brought inside, and trimming or removing trees that could fall on your home.
• Clean out drains, gutters, and downspouts, and consider installing hurricane shutters.
• Make a plan to stay connected and informed. Sign up for emergency alerts, have a way to charge your phone, and download useful apps.
• Learn first aid and CPR, and learn how to use a generator safely.
• Review important documents and make copies, keeping them in a secure, password-protected digital space.
• Help your neighbours, especially those who may need additional assistance.

During the Hurricane

• Pay attention to emergency information and alerts.
• If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone or advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow evacuation routes and go to a designated storm shelter or an interior room for high winds.
• Stay away from glass windows and doors, and do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters.
• If you are trapped by flooding, go to the highest level of the building but do not climb into a closed attic as you may become trapped by rising water.

After the Hurricane

• Do not return home until local officials have declared it safe to do so.
• Avoid damaged power lines, poles, and downed wires as they may cause electrocution.
• Do not touch floodwaters as they may contain sewage, bacteria, and chemicals.
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by never using gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage, or camper.
• Wear protective clothing and work with someone else when cleaning up. Avoid entering buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth if you have asthma, lung conditions, or immune suppression.
• Document any property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company for assistance.

Frequently asked questions