A 30-Year Timeline of Hurricane Landfalls and Impacts
✅ 1. Hurricane Lisa — November 2, 2022
- Category: 1
- Landfall location: Near Belize City
- Winds: 85 mph
- Damage: $100+ million
- Deaths: 0
- Impact: Widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, power lines, and agriculture across the Belize and Cayo Districts.
- More on Lisa →
✅ 2. Hurricane Nana — September 3, 2020
- Category: 1
- Landfall location: Near Dangriga
- Winds: 75 mph
- Damage: Moderate; agricultural losses in southern Belize
- Deaths: 0
- Impact: Mainly affected southern Belize with flooding and damage to banana crops.
✅ 3. Hurricane Earl — August 4, 2016
- Category: 1
- Landfall location: Near Belize City
- Winds: 80 mph
- Damage: ~$110 million
- Deaths: 10 (in Central America, including Belize)
- Impact: Heavy flooding, major infrastructure damage, hundreds of homes destroyed, widespread power outages.
✅ 4. Hurricane Richard — October 24, 2010
- Category: 2
- Landfall location: Near Belize City
- Winds: 90–95 mph
- Damage: ~$80 million
- Deaths: 1
- Impact: Serious wind damage, particularly in central Belize. Trees uprooted, homes destroyed, and significant economic losses.
✅ 5. Hurricane Dean — August 21, 2007
- Category: 5 (landfall in Mexico), strong effects in Belize
- Closest approach: Corozal District (northern Belize)
- Winds: Over 150 mph (in Mexico)
- Damage: Significant in northern Belize, especially to sugar crops and homes
- Deaths: None in Belize
- Impact: Though landfall was in Mexico, Belize’s northern districts suffered flooding and crop losses.
✅ 6. Hurricane Iris — October 8, 2001
- Category: 4
- Landfall location: Near Placencia, southern Belize
- Winds: 145 mph
- Damage: $250 million+
- Deaths: ~36 (most in Belize)
- Impact: Catastrophic destruction in southern Belize. Entire villages flattened. Major loss of life and property. One of Belize’s most destructive hurricanes on record.
✅ 7. Hurricane Keith — October 1–3, 2000
- Category: 4 (weakened to 1 at landfall)
- Landfall location: Northern Belize (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker)
- Winds: 75–90 mph
- Damage: ~$280 million
- Deaths: 19
- Impact: Prolonged rains and flooding. Severe coastal damage. Major blow to tourism and fishing communities.
✅ 8. Hurricane Mitch (Indirect) — October 1998
- Category: 5 (landfall in Honduras)
- Effect on Belize: Torrential rains and deadly flooding
- Deaths: Over 11,000 in Central America; some flooding deaths in Belize
- Impact: Belize was not directly hit but experienced massive rainfall and regional disruptions.
✅ 9. Hurricane Roxanne (Peripheral Impact) — October 1995
- Category: 3 (landfall in Mexico)
- Effect on Belize: Rainfall, moderate flooding, coastal winds
- Impact: Minor structural damage in northern Belize, but prompted evacuations.
Summary Table
| Hurricane | Year | Category | Area Affected | Estimated Damage | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa | 2022 | 1 | Belize District, Cayo | $100M+ | 0 |
| Nana | 2020 | 1 | Stann Creek, Toledo | Moderate | 0 |
| Earl | 2016 | 1 | Central Belize | ~$110M | 10 |
| Richard | 2010 | 2 | Belize District | ~$80M | 1 |
| Dean | 2007 | 5 (Mexico) | Corozal | Moderate | 0 |
| Iris | 2001 | 4 | Stann Creek, Toledo | $250M+ | ~36 |
| Keith | 2000 | 4 → 1 | Northern Belize | ~$280M | 19 |
| Mitch | 1998 | 5 (Honduras) | Indirect flooding | Regional | 11K+ |
| Roxanne | 1995 | 3 (Mexico) | Northern Belize | Minor | 0 |
Final Thoughts
Over the last 30 years, Belize has experienced at least 6 direct hurricane landfalls, with several others impacting the country through peripheral winds, flooding, and regional instability. Hurricane Iris (2001) and Keith (2000) remain among the most destructive in terms of lives lost and economic impact.
Belize’s Vulnerability Highlights:
- Low-lying coastal zones (e.g. Belize City, Placencia, San Pedro) are especially vulnerable to storm surges.
- Inland flooding from rain-heavy systems causes significant agricultural and infrastructure loss.
- Tourism-dependent towns face economic risk after storms, affecting employment and services.
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