Belize Hurricane Information

Hurricanes are made up of moisture, warm tropical waves and ocean, pre-existing weather disturbances and light, or intense winds. If the right ingredients continue for a long time, they can create huge catastrophic waves, floods, harsh violent winds and torrential down pour and rains. It is important to learn and know all the basic hurricane information for your safety.

Every year there is an average of eleven to twelve storms that develop over the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

Many of these storms do not touch the United States coastline. When they do touch the US coastline it can be extremely dangerous and scary for residents and tourists. It is best to evacuate and be safe if your mayor or city says to. Visit BELIZE NEWS for more information.

You can also check out the Hurricane Tracker HERE.

If you would like to know how the National Hurricane Center measures these storms and hurricanes please check out the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a low pressure system that is also known as a tropical cyclone. It forms in the tropics and usually comes along with massive high winds, thunderstorms, tornadoes, major rain, flooding and debris.

What is a tropical depression?

A tropical depression is usually classified as thunderstorms and clouds that have winds of 38 miles per hour or less.

What is a tropical storm?

A tropical storm is when the winds are over 39 and up to 73 miles per hour usually accompanied by strong gusts and thunderstorms.

What are the hurricane categories?

A Category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a category 5 hurricane has the strongest. Lower storms of a 1 and 2 can cause flooding and destruction depending on how and where they strike the Caribbean or US coastline. A category 3,4 and 5 can be catastrophic if you are not prepared or have evacuated from the area that will be hit. All hurricane categories from 1-5 can present problems.

Hurricane Safety Actions

*Make sure you have shutters of some kind. Put them up as soon as you are advised.

*If you are in an evacuation area make sure you check out how your home can handle floods, heavy winds and storm surges.

*Have an emergency kit with batteries, wind up radio, bandaids, flashlights, candles, blankets, warm clothing and anything else you might need to survive days without power.

*Have a healthy amount of canned food and water ready. Canned foods are the best way to be able to feed yourself and loved ones in a storm.

*Fill up the bathtub with water so you will have somewhere to cleanse yourself.

*Watch the tv and listen to the radio about the tropics at all times.

*Read up on other hurricane information on the internet.

*Always evacuate if you are ordered too. Find somewhere off the coast and inland.

*Have a meeting place ready for you and your family and friends to meet at if evacuating. Have a bag of clothes and emergency items ready at all times.

CHECK OUT HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEEK for more information.

WARNING VS. WATCH - KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

A hurricane warning is issued when sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected to hit the area within 24 hours or less. When this is issued you should have your family plan in action and safety location decided.

A hurricane watch is issued 36 hours before indicating you might encounter a possible hurricane and it is best to be prepared and listen to authorities for further information and action.

VISIT THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION HERE.

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