{"id":518,"date":"2025-10-20T04:17:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T04:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/?p=518"},"modified":"2025-10-20T04:17:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T04:17:56","slug":"major-hurricanes-that-have-affected-belize-1995-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/?p=518","title":{"rendered":"Major Hurricanes That Have Affected Belize (1995\u20132025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A 30-Year Timeline of Hurricane Landfalls and Impacts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>1. Hurricane Lisa<\/strong> \u2014 <em>November 2, 2022<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Near Belize City<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 85 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: $100+ million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: 0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, power lines, and agriculture across the Belize and Cayo Districts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/?p=515\" title=\"\">More on Lisa \u2192<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>2. Hurricane Nana<\/strong> \u2014 <em>September 3, 2020<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Near Dangriga<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 75 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: Moderate; agricultural losses in southern Belize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: 0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Mainly affected southern Belize with flooding and damage to banana crops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>3. Hurricane Earl<\/strong> \u2014 <em>August 4, 2016<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Near Belize City<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 80 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: ~$110 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: 10 (in Central America, including Belize)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Heavy flooding, major infrastructure damage, hundreds of homes destroyed, widespread power outages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>4. Hurricane Richard<\/strong> \u2014 <em>October 24, 2010<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Near Belize City<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 90\u201395 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: ~$80 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Serious wind damage, particularly in central Belize. Trees uprooted, homes destroyed, and significant economic losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>5. Hurricane Dean<\/strong> \u2014 <em>August 21, 2007<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 5 (landfall in Mexico), <strong>strong effects in Belize<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Closest approach<\/strong>: Corozal District (northern Belize)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: Over 150 mph (in Mexico)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: Significant in northern Belize, especially to sugar crops and homes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: None in Belize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Though landfall was in Mexico, Belize\u2019s northern districts suffered flooding and crop losses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>6. Hurricane Iris<\/strong> \u2014 <em>October 8, 2001<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 4<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Near Placencia, southern Belize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 145 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: $250 million+<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: ~36 (most in Belize)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Catastrophic destruction in southern Belize. Entire villages flattened. Major loss of life and property. One of Belize\u2019s most destructive hurricanes on record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>7. Hurricane Keith<\/strong> \u2014 <em>October 1\u20133, 2000<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 4 (weakened to 1 at landfall)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Landfall location<\/strong>: Northern Belize (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winds<\/strong>: 75\u201390 mph<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damage<\/strong>: ~$280 million<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: 19<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Prolonged rains and flooding. Severe coastal damage. Major blow to tourism and fishing communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>8. Hurricane Mitch (Indirect)<\/strong> \u2014 <em>October 1998<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 5 (landfall in Honduras)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effect on Belize<\/strong>: Torrential rains and deadly flooding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Deaths<\/strong>: Over 11,000 in Central America; some flooding deaths in Belize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Belize was not directly hit but experienced massive rainfall and regional disruptions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u2705 <strong>9. Hurricane Roxanne (Peripheral Impact)<\/strong> \u2014 <em>October 1995<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Category<\/strong>: 3 (landfall in Mexico)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effect on Belize<\/strong>: Rainfall, moderate flooding, coastal winds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact<\/strong>: Minor structural damage in northern Belize, but prompted evacuations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Hurricane<\/th><th>Year<\/th><th>Category<\/th><th>Area Affected<\/th><th>Estimated Damage<\/th><th>Fatalities<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Lisa<\/strong><\/td><td>2022<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>Belize District, Cayo<\/td><td>$100M+<\/td><td>0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Nana<\/strong><\/td><td>2020<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>Stann Creek, Toledo<\/td><td>Moderate<\/td><td>0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Earl<\/strong><\/td><td>2016<\/td><td>1<\/td><td>Central Belize<\/td><td>~$110M<\/td><td>10<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Richard<\/strong><\/td><td>2010<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>Belize District<\/td><td>~$80M<\/td><td>1<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Dean<\/strong><\/td><td>2007<\/td><td>5 (Mexico)<\/td><td>Corozal<\/td><td>Moderate<\/td><td>0<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Iris<\/strong><\/td><td>2001<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>Stann Creek, Toledo<\/td><td>$250M+<\/td><td>~36<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Keith<\/strong><\/td><td>2000<\/td><td>4 \u2192 1<\/td><td>Northern Belize<\/td><td>~$280M<\/td><td>19<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Mitch<\/strong><\/td><td>1998<\/td><td>5 (Honduras)<\/td><td>Indirect flooding<\/td><td>Regional<\/td><td>11K+<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Roxanne<\/strong><\/td><td>1995<\/td><td>3 (Mexico)<\/td><td>Northern Belize<\/td><td>Minor<\/td><td>0<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the last 30 years, <strong>Belize has experienced at least 6 direct hurricane landfalls<\/strong>, with several others impacting the country through peripheral winds, flooding, and regional instability. Hurricane <strong>Iris (2001)<\/strong> and <strong>Keith (2000)<\/strong> remain among the most destructive in terms of lives lost and economic impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Belize\u2019s Vulnerability Highlights:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Low-lying coastal zones<\/strong> (e.g. Belize City, Placencia, San Pedro) are especially vulnerable to storm surges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inland flooding<\/strong> from rain-heavy systems causes significant agricultural and infrastructure loss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tourism-dependent<\/strong> towns face economic risk after storms, affecting employment and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>A 30-Year Timeline of Hurricane Landfalls and Impacts \u2705 1. Hurricane Lisa \u2014 November 2, 2022 \u2705 2. Hurricane Nana \u2014 September 3, 2020 \u2705 3. Hurricane Earl \u2014 August 4, 2016 \u2705 4. Hurricane <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/?p=518\" title=\"Major Hurricanes That Have Affected Belize (1995\u20132025)\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":519,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[282,284,283,285],"class_list":{"0":"post-518","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-weather","8":"tag-belize-hurricane-history","9":"tag-belize-hurricane-season-risks","10":"tag-belize-hurricane-timeline","11":"tag-worst-hurricanes-to-hit-belize"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=518"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":520,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518\/revisions\/520"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorebelizeplaces.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}