Hurricane's Path: Will Belize Take A Direct Hit?

Belize is no stranger to hurricanes, with around seven occurring per year. However, they don't always make landfall, often turning northward first. But in November 2022, Hurricane Lisa, a Category 1 hurricane, did make landfall in Belize, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District.

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on November 2, 2022

In the lead-up to the hurricane, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued advisories and warnings, and the Prime Minister of Belize declared a hurricane warning for the entire coast of the country. Evacuation efforts were also carried out for those residing on islands and high-risk communities along the coast.

As Hurricane Lisa approached, it was located about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, moving west at 12 mph. The hurricane brought threats of flooding rainfall, life-threatening storm surges, and high winds. These threats materialised, with reports of several houses in Belize City losing their roofs and much of the city being submerged underwater. Small sailboats were also pushed inland by the waters, ending up in the city's Swing Bridge.

After making landfall in Belize, Hurricane Lisa continued its path towards northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico. It weakened to a tropical depression as it moved inland, bringing the threat of flash flooding to these regions.

Lisa was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on November 2, 2022, as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). The storm made landfall near the mouth of the Sibun River, about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, at approximately 4:20 p.m. CDT. As a Category 1 hurricane, Lisa brought very dangerous winds that caused extensive damage.

In a Category 1 hurricane, winds typically range from 74 to 95 mph, just below the threshold for a Category 2 hurricane, which starts at 96 mph. Falling debris can strike people, livestock, and pets, and older mobile homes are at risk of being destroyed. While protected glass windows in frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers are generally resilient enough to withstand the winds, there is still a risk of some damage. One of the most significant concerns is power outages due to snapped power lines, which can last from a few days to several days.

Lisa's maximum sustained winds of 85 mph were strong enough to cause substantial damage in Belize. Several houses in Belize City lost their roofs, and much of the city was reported to be under water. Small sailboats were pushed by the waters into the city's Swing Bridge. The Belize District, home to 94,271 residents, was severely affected by the hurricane, and the Cayo District also sustained significant damage.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is used to classify hurricanes, is based solely on the maximum sustained wind speed. This scale does not take into account other factors such as storm surge, rainfall, and tornadoes. While it provides an indication of potential damage, it is important to recognize that other factors, such as the storm's intensity, duration, and location, also play a crucial role in determining the overall impact of a hurricane.

In the case of Hurricane Lisa, the combination of strong winds, torrential rainfall, and storm surge resulted in a life-threatening situation for the people of Belize. The storm's impact extended beyond the immediate wind damage, with flash floods, mudslides, and widespread disruptions to essential services.

The Belize District was severely affected, with extensive damage and flooding

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on November 2, 2022, causing extensive damage and flooding in the Belize District. The Belize District, home to 94,271 residents, was one of the areas most severely affected by the hurricane. The storm made landfall near the mouth of the Sibun River, about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, at approximately 4:20 p.m. CDT. With maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h), the hurricane caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the area. Many houses in Belize City lost their roofs, and large areas of the city were left underwater. Small sailboats were even pushed by the waters into the city's Swing Bridge.

The Belize District was particularly vulnerable to the impacts of Hurricane Lisa due to its location and the storm's trajectory. The district is located along the coast of Belize, and the hurricane made landfall just south of Belize City, exposing the area to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. The National Hurricane Center had projected a landfall somewhere in Belize, and the storm's path brought it directly over the Belize District.

The impact of Hurricane Lisa on the Belize District was exacerbated by the storm's intensity and slow movement. As a Category 1 hurricane, Lisa brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges to the area. The storm was moving west at 12 mph (19 km/h), which allowed the hurricane to linger over the Belize District, prolonging the duration of the storm's impacts. The slow movement of the storm also meant that a large amount of rainfall accumulated in the area, contributing to the extensive flooding that occurred.

The damage in the Belize District was widespread and significant. An estimated 500 houses were completely destroyed, and an additional 5,000 homes suffered varying degrees of damage. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) reported initial damage estimates of approximately USD$10 million in the housing sector alone, with most of this damage occurring within the Belize District. The storm also caused temporary displacement, with an estimated 5,000+ people seeking refuge in state-managed shelters across Belize.

The flooding in the Belize District was a result of both the heavy rainfall and the storm surges associated with Hurricane Lisa. The National Hydrological Service issued a flood warning in effect for all rivers, and a storm surge warning for coastal areas. The combination of intense rainfall and storm surges led to the extensive flooding that was reported in the Belize District, causing damage to homes and infrastructure and necessitating the temporary displacement of residents to shelters.

The Belize government declared a state of emergency and a curfew in multiple districts

On November 2, 2022, Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize as a Category 1 hurricane, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District. The Belize government declared a state of emergency and a curfew in multiple districts. The storm brought torrential rain, powerful winds, and storm surges, resulting in severe damage to infrastructure, economic impacts, and humanitarian challenges.

The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of Belize was fully activated, and the Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) were activated in the northern districts. Border crossings, ports, and airports were closed, and officials advised residents in vulnerable areas to relocate to shelters. The hurricane caused extensive damage to the Belize district, affecting 94,271 residents.

Hurricane Lisa made landfall near the mouth of the Sibun River, about 10 miles southwest of Belize City. With maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, the storm moved west at 12 mph. As it approached Belize City, the maximum sustained winds decreased to 75 mph. Several houses lost their roofs, and much of the city was underwater. Small sailboats were pushed by the waters into the city's Swing Bridge.

The Belize government's swift response to Hurricane Lisa by declaring a state of emergency and a curfew in multiple districts underscores the seriousness of the situation. The curfew and emergency protocols were implemented to ensure the safety of residents and facilitate relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Belize is no stranger to hurricanes, with an average of seven occurrences per year. However, they often do not make direct landfall, turning northward beforehand. Nonetheless, the remnants of these storms can cause gusts of wind and rain. The country has experienced several recent hurricanes, including Beryl in 2024, which was the most severe to affect Belize in the past 12 months.

Hurricane warnings were issued for the entire Belize coast, with storm surges expected

Hurricane warnings are not uncommon in Belize, with hurricanes occurring on average about seven times a year. However, they often do not make landfall in Belize, turning northward beforehand. The remnants of these storms then cause strong gusts of wind and rain. The hurricane season in Belize usually lasts from early June to late November.

On 2nd November 2022, Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize, causing extensive damage. Lisa was the sixth hurricane of the 2022 season and made landfall as a Category 1 tropical cyclone. Hurricane warnings were issued for the entire Belize coast, with storm surges expected. The storm made landfall near the mouth of the Sibun River, about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, at approximately 4:20 p.m. CDT. Lisa made landfall with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and was moving west at 12 mph (19 km/h).

As of 7 p.m. CDT, the storm was about 20 miles west of Belize City, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). Reports of damage started to come in from Belize City, with several houses losing their roofs. One local report stated that much of the city was underwater, and small sailboats were pushed by the waters into the city's Swing Bridge.

The Belize government's emergency services declared a state of emergency in multiple districts, and a curfew was put in place. Officials advised those living in vulnerable areas to move to shelters, and border crossings, ports, and airports were closed. The National Hydrological Service also released a flood bulletin, indicating a flood warning in effect for all rivers, including a storm surge warning for coastal areas.

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