Hurricane Lisa: Belize Braces For Impact

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on 2 November 2022, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and was located about 10 miles southwest of Belize City. Lisa weakened into a tropical storm as it moved across Belize, leaving much of the country's largest city in darkness, but fortunately, there were no reported fatalities.

Hurricane Lisa's path and trajectory

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on 2 November 2022, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District. The storm was a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum central pressure estimated at 990 mb (29.24 inches). Lisa made landfall near the mouth of the Sibun River, about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, at approximately 4:20 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, 2 November.

In the lead-up to the hurricane, the Prime Minister of Belize, as Chairman of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), declared a hurricane warning for the entire coast of Belize on 1 November 2022, with landfall expected within the next 24 hours. The National Hydrological Service also released a flood bulletin, indicating a flood warning for all rivers and a storm surge warning for coastal areas.

As Hurricane Lisa approached, it was forecast to move into northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico by Thursday, posing a danger of flooding and mudslides from heavy rains. The hurricane center warned that the storm could drop 4 to 6 inches of rain in Belize, the Bay Islands, northern Guatemala, and parts of Mexico. A hurricane warning was issued for the coast of Belize, Roatan Island, the Bay Islands of Honduras, and the southern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

After making landfall, Lisa tracked westward at an estimated speed of 10 kt, exposing Belmopan, Belize's second-largest population centre, to tropical storm-force winds. The hurricane caused temporary displacement, with over 5,000 people seeking refuge in state-managed shelters across Belize. The storm primarily caused damage to the housing sector, with an estimated 500 houses completely destroyed and an additional 5,000 homes suffering varying degrees of damage.

Lisa weakened into a tropical storm as it moved inland, and by Wednesday evening, it was located about 60 miles (95 km) west of Belize City, targeting northern Guatemala and southeastern Mexico with heavy rain and gusty winds. The storm's maximum sustained winds slowed to 60 mph (95 kph), and it was moving westward at 12 mph (19 kph). Lisa left much of Belize City without power and water, uprooting trees and toppling electric posts. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicted that Lisa would continue to weaken as it moved further inland, but steady rainfall and the potential for widespread flooding still posed significant dangers.

Belize's emergency response

On November 2, 2022, Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize as a Category 1 hurricane, causing extensive damage and affecting thousands of residents. In response, Belize's National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and other organizations sprang into action to address the situation and provide assistance to those impacted. Here is an overview of Belize's emergency response:

Warning and Evacuation:

The Prime Minister of Belize, as the Chairman of NEMO, played a crucial role in the emergency response. On November 1, 2022, the Prime Minister issued a hurricane warning (RED - II) for the entire coast of Belize, advising residents across the country to be prepared for the impending storm. The National Hydrological Service also released a flood bulletin, indicating a flood warning for all rivers and a storm surge warning for coastal areas. Officials urged people living in vulnerable areas to evacuate and move to shelters.

Shelter and Displacement:

The hurricane led to the temporary displacement of a significant number of people. Approximately 5,000 individuals sought refuge in state-managed shelters across Belize. These shelters provided essential protection and support to those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the hurricane.

Damage Assessment and Needs:

The Initial Situation Assessment (ISA) conducted by NEMO estimated that approximately 39% of Belize's population, or about 172,000 people, were affected by the hurricane. The storm caused extensive damage, particularly to the housing sector. The ISA reported that an estimated 500 houses were completely destroyed, and an additional 5,000 homes suffered varying levels of damage. The most urgent relief needs included housing and shelter restoration, with a focus on providing roofing and construction materials. There was also a critical need for food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies, as well as bedding and clothing for displaced families.

International Assistance:

The Belize government indicated that an official request for international assistance would be made, primarily seeking cash assistance to support the response and recovery efforts. Partners were directed to coordinate their contributions through NEMO's Foreign Assistance Committee to ensure a streamlined and effective response.

Border Closures and Curfew:

In response to the hurricane, the Belize government's emergency services declared a state of emergency, including a curfew, across multiple districts. To ensure the safety of the residents, border crossings, ports, and airports were ordered closed until the storm passed.

Impact on Belize's housing sector

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on November 2, 2022, causing extensive damage to the Belize District and significant damage to the Cayo District. The Belize District is home to 94,271 residents, many of whom were severely affected by the hurricane.

The impact of Hurricane Lisa on Belize's housing sector was significant. The storm caused damage primarily to the housing sector, reflecting the poor housing stock in the affected areas. An estimated 500 houses were completely destroyed, with an additional 5,000 homes suffering varying levels of damage, including light, medium, and heavy damage. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) reported initial damage estimates to the housing sector of approximately USD$10 million, with most of this damage recorded within the Belize District.

The most urgent relief needs following the hurricane were related to housing and shelter restoration and rehabilitation, particularly roofing and construction materials. There was a high demand for tarpaulins as many affected houses lost their roofs or suffered severe damage. Belize Red Cross Society volunteers conducted rapid assessments and provided hurricane relief support to affected families, distributing tarpaulins and other essential items.

In addition to roofing, flooding caused damage to bungalow houses and other property. Many residents had to evacuate their homes due to flooding, with a total of twelve shelters opened for displaced families. Electricity services were disrupted as fallen trees and toppled electric posts cut off power to large parts of Belize City and the surrounding areas.

The impact of Hurricane Lisa on Belize's housing sector highlights the vulnerability of the country's housing infrastructure to extreme weather events. The storm exposed the inadequate roofing and construction quality of many homes, particularly in impoverished areas. The recovery and rehabilitation process presented an opportunity to rebuild more resilient and robust housing infrastructure to better withstand future natural disasters.

The human toll of the hurricane

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on the 2nd of November 2022, causing extensive damage and affecting the lives of many Belize residents. The hurricane hit the Belize district the hardest, impacting 94,271 residents and causing significant destruction in the Cayo District. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 85 mph, with the storm's eye located about 10 miles southwest of Belize City.

The storm caused extensive damage to the housing sector, with an estimated 500 houses completely destroyed and an additional 5,000 homes suffering varying degrees of damage. This led to a urgent need for housing and shelter restoration, with people requiring roofing and construction materials, as well as food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies. The Belize government's emergency services declared a state of emergency, including a curfew, in multiple districts, urging residents in vulnerable areas to evacuate to shelters.

The impact of Hurricane Lisa extended beyond the loss of homes, as many people were left without power and water. The storm knocked down trees and toppled electric posts, leaving much of Belize City in darkness. This disruption to essential services exacerbated the challenges faced by those displaced by the hurricane.

The hurricane also had economic repercussions, particularly in the tourism industry. Belize, known for its tourist appeal, saw disruptions to transportation hubs such as border crossings, ports, and airports, which were ordered closed due to the storm. This not only hindered relief efforts but also impacted the country's economy, which relies significantly on tourism.

Overall, Hurricane Lisa had a profound impact on the people of Belize, causing displacement, damage to homes and infrastructure, and disruptions to essential services and the economy. The recovery and rebuilding process was expected to be lengthy, with the full extent of the hurricane's toll on the people and the country yet to be fully determined.

International aid efforts

Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize on November 2, 2022, causing extensive damage to the Belize district and significant damage to the Cayo District. The storm affected 94,271 residents in the Belize District and temporarily displaced a large number of people, with over 5,000 seeking refuge in state-managed shelters. The hurricane caused damage primarily to the housing sector, with an estimated 500 houses completely destroyed and 5,000 more suffering various degrees of damage. The initial damage estimates to the housing sector were approximately USD$10 million, with most of this damage recorded within the Belize District.

The Government of Belize indicated that an official request for international assistance, primarily in the form of cash assistance, would be issued. Partners supporting response and recovery efforts were prompted to coordinate their contributions through the National Emergency Management Organization's (NEMO) Foreign Assistance Committee.

On November 4, the Caribbean Development Partners Group on Disaster Management (CDPG-DM) convened a meeting to brief participating states and humanitarian actors on the impacts of Hurricane Lisa on Belize. The Initial Situation Assessment (ISA) report, issued by Belize, provided information on the main impact of the hurricane, including the number of affected people, those in shelters, and the poverty levels in the affected areas.

The neighboring country of Guatemala also provided aid, with President Alejandro Giammattei announcing that food rations were being sent to vulnerable areas. Additionally, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) collaborated with UN agencies in the country to support response and recovery efforts.

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