Hurricane Nana: Belize Bracing For Impact

Hurricane Nana hit Belize on the 3rd of September 2020, making landfall in the early morning as a Category 1 hurricane. The storm brought heavy rain and winds of up to 75 mph, causing flash floods and mudslides. More than 4,000 people evacuated to government shelters and there was significant agricultural damage, particularly to banana plantations. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries were reported.

Hurricane Nana's path and impact on Belize

Hurricane Nana made landfall in Belize in the early hours of Thursday, September 3, 2020, as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph winds. The hurricane hit a sparsely populated stretch of coast between the towns of Dangriga and Placencia, around 50 miles south of Belize City. Nana was a relatively small storm, with hurricane-force winds extending just 10 miles from its centre.

Nana weakened to a tropical storm with 45 mph winds by 11 am on Thursday as it moved across Guatemala, and it was expected to dissipate over eastern Mexico by Friday. Nana's small size and the fact that it missed Belize City, the country's most populous area, meant that wind and storm surge damage was limited. However, the hurricane brought heavy rainfall, causing flash flooding and mudslides, particularly over mountainous terrain.

Belize has a history of hurricanes, averaging one every seven years. The most recent hurricane before Nana to hit the country was Hurricane Earl in 2016, which caused moderate coastal damage.

Ahead of Nana's arrival, residents of Belize stocked up on food, water, and construction materials, with long lines at supermarkets and hardware stores. More than 4,000 people, mainly in the south of the country, moved to government shelters. Belize Red Cross teams were on hand to assess the damage, which was reportedly worst on banana plantations.

Nana caused more than $20 million in economic losses in Belize and neighbouring countries, but thankfully no fatalities were reported.

Belize's hurricane history

Belize has a long history of hurricanes, with records of tropical storms and hurricanes affecting the country dating back to the 19th century. Since 1930, 16 hurricanes have made landfall in Belize or passed close enough to cause damage or loss of life, with eight of these classified as major hurricanes. In addition, 17 systems made landfall in Belize as tropical storms during this period.

Some of the notable hurricanes that have impacted Belize include:

• 1931 (unnamed): A Category 4 hurricane with 135 mph winds made landfall in Belize City, killing approximately 2,500 people. It remains the deadliest hurricane and natural disaster in the country's history.
• 1955 Hurricane Janet: With sustained winds of up to 175 mph, Janet devastated Corozal Town and caused massive flooding in the northern districts. The storm left 16,000 people homeless and led to the creation of a new township with modern infrastructure.
• 1961 Hurricane Hattie: Hattie made landfall just south of Belize City with sustained winds of 155 mph and gusts up to 200 mph. The accompanying storm surge killed more than 400 people and left thousands homeless, leading to the relocation of the country's capital from Belize City to the safer location of Belmopan.
• 2000 Hurricane Keith: Keith lingered offshore as a Category 4 storm before slowly moving across Chetumal Bay. It caused heavy damage to the cayes and left Belize City with standing water.
• 2001 Hurricane Iris: Iris hit southern Belize with winds of 145 mph, causing major damage to nearly 95% of buildings in Placencia. The storm resulted in 31 fatalities and extensive losses to infrastructure and agriculture, estimated at $8.15 million.
• 2010 Hurricane Richard: Richard made landfall just south of Belize City as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of up to 90 mph. It caused power outages across the country, downed trees and electricity poles, and left a trail of substantial wreckage.
• 2020 Hurricane Nana: Nana made landfall in a sparsely populated area of Belize with winds of 75 mph. It caused minor damage, primarily to banana plantations, and there were no reported injuries or fatalities in the country.
• 2022 Hurricane Lisa: A direct hit from Lisa brought winds of 85 mph to Belize in November 2022.

Preparation and impact of Nana on Belize

Hurricane Nana made landfall in Belize in the early morning of Thursday, September 3, 2020, as a Category 1 hurricane with peak winds of 75 mph (120-121 km/h). The hurricane weakened as it moved inland and was downgraded to a tropical storm by 11 am on the same day. Nana's impact on Belize was relatively minor, with no reported fatalities or injuries. However, over 4,000 people, mainly in the southern districts of Toledo and Stann Creek, evacuated to government shelters.

In preparation for Hurricane Nana, residents of Belize rushed to hardware and grocery stores, stocking up on food, water, and construction materials. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advised residents, especially those southward of Belize City, to prepare for hurricane-force winds and potential storm surges. Shelters were open around the country, with COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

The main impact of Nana on Belize was heavy rainfall, which caused flash flooding and mudslide concerns, particularly in mountainous areas. The hurricane also brought strong winds, with sustained winds of 61 mph (98 km/h) recorded on the offshore Carrie Bow Cay. However, due to Nana's small size and the fact that it missed Belize City, the wind and storm surge damage was limited. The worst impact was on banana plantations, with over 960 acres of banana and plantain crops destroyed. Structural damage was reported in several towns, including Georgetown, Hopkins, and Independence, and power outages occurred in Dangriga, Hopkins, and Placencia.

Overall, Hurricane Nana caused minor to moderate damage in Belize, with economic losses estimated to be over US$20 million. The Belize Red Cross and the Government of Belize conducted damage assessments and coordinated relief efforts, providing aid to the hardest-hit areas.

Nana's impact on banana plantations

Hurricane Nana, which hit Belize in September 2020, had a significant impact on the country's banana plantations. The storm caused extensive damage to banana crops, leading to substantial economic losses for the country.

Nana was a small but powerful tropical cyclone that brought heavy rains and strong winds to Belize. The storm made landfall near Sittee Point, a sparsely populated area on the country's coast. While the storm itself did not cause widespread damage to infrastructure, its impact on the agricultural sector was significant.

Banana and plantain crops bore the brunt of the storm's wrath. More than 960 acres (390 hectares) of banana and plantain fields were destroyed, resulting in losses worth BZ$20.5 million (US$10 million). The storm's strong winds and heavy rains battered the crops, leaving them decimated.

The impact of the hurricane on banana plantations was particularly concerning for Belize, as the agricultural sector is a vital part of the country's economy. Banana production is a significant source of income and employment for the nation. The loss of such a large area of crops had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the growers but also the many people employed in the industry.

The Belizean government sprang into action, providing aid and relief efforts to the affected areas. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) conducted damage surveys, while the Ministry of Humanitarian Development coordinated the distribution of aid. The government provided aid worth BZ$8–10 million (US$4–5 million) in the form of zinc, zinc plywood, and foodstuffs to support the recovery of the impacted communities.

Nana's dissipation over Guatemala

Hurricane Nana made landfall in Belize in the early morning of Thursday, September 3, 2020, between the coastal towns of Dangriga and Placencia, around 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Belize City. The hurricane brought heavy rain and winds of up to 75 mph (120-121 kph) to Belize, causing minor damage.

As Nana pushed inland, it weakened over the mountainous terrain of Guatemala, dissipating late on Thursday, September 4, near Guatemala's border with Mexico. The storm had degraded to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) by late afternoon on September 3, and the surface low dissipated over Guatemala. Guatemala reported heavy rains, especially along the border region, but no deaths or evacuations were reported.

Nana's impact in Guatemala was relatively minor, with no fatalities or injuries reported. The storm's remnants reorganized over the Gulf of Tehuantepec and became Tropical Storm Julio, which moved at a brisk pace to the west-northwest before dissipating on September 7.

In Belize, the storm's impact was also relatively minor, with no reported injuries or deaths. More than 4,000 people, mainly in the southern part of the country, took shelter in government facilities. Belize Red Cross teams assessed the damage, which was largely confined to banana plantations in the Stann Creek District, with over 960 acres (390 hectares) of banana and plantain crops destroyed. The Belizean government swiftly distributed aid, including zinc, zinc plywood, and food, to the affected areas.

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