Hurricane Season
The official Hurricane Season in Belize is from 1 June until 30 November. We strongly advise British Nationals resident and visiting Belize to register with the High Commission, especially just prior to and during this period.KNOW YOUR WARDEN: The High Commission operates a countrywide radio network of wardens. In the event of a Hurricane, this network will be a vital means of communication and information. We have seven official wardens. Each warden is kept informed of British citizens registered with us as living in their area.
To find out who is the Warden for your area contact Yancy Habet-Harrison
Should a hurricane threaten Belize, the High Commission aim to contact all British nationals registered with us to ascertain their current and intended whereabouts. This information will be passed to the relevant warden and may prove vital to the safety of individuals and the peace of mind of relatives abroad.
If you are transient or have moved/intend to move location since your registration, please call to update us as to your whereabouts.
Cayo is a designated Safe Area; we would advise those in vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas to relocate to such an area during a hurricane strike.
Every year we request assistance from those willing to offer accommodation to British nationals who need to relocate. Please download the appropriate file below to request or offer accommodation.
If you are a British national living outside the Cayo District please use this form BC - Out District
If you are British national living within the Cayo District please use this form BC - Cayo District
PREPARING YOURSELF and YOUR HOME
Throughout the hurricane season you are advised to keep a stock of non-perishable foods in your home. You are also advised to ensure you have emergency cash available should you need to stock up on supplies quickly; banking networks are often inoperative during adverse weather. If you are on the Cayes, it is vital that you take into account the funds you must have available to pay your fare to the mainland.
- Keep the radio on; listen to the latest local news. Rely only on official information, not rumour
- Ensure your vehicle is fully fuelled
- Sterilise your bath tub and fill it with water; even if you plan to evacuate, water supplies may continue to be contaminated after you return home
- Fill gas bottles – you may need to boil water for weeks afterwards.
- Ensure that you have ample tinned food to last your party for the duration of the storm
- Board or shutter windows
- Move personal belongings to the highest level in your home to minimize flood damage. Store items in cupboards to secure as many of your possessions as possible
- Identify the safest room in your home to wait out the storm; strongest walls, highest level, least windows, least clutter etc.
- Place all important family documents, e.g. passports, medical records and insurance papers in waterproof bags.
- Bring inside or secure everything that may blow away (outdoor furniture, rubbish bins, TV aerials etc)
- If you can, remove coconuts and heavy foliage from nearby trees
- Ensure that cell phones have ample prepaid credit and that the batteries are fully charged. Store local emergency numbers on the phone, including 610 1045 (High Commission Duty Officer cell number)
- If you are planning to evacuate and have not started your journey by the time the storm hits, find the nearest safe place locally and stay there until an official information source says that the storm has passed.
- Hurricanes can seem to last forever; good books and games help pass the time
EVACUATING
KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING: Identify your nearest government Hurricane Shelter from the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) website, or secure reservations in an appropriate hotel or ensure that you have been assigned accommodation by the High Commission or with friends.
When you evacuate, make sure you take with you:
- cash
- prescription medications and first aid kit
- canned food (and can opener) and foods for any special dietary needs; ensure sufficient supplies for all members of your party.
- at least three gallons of water per person.
- a knife, fork, spoon, mug, plate and bowl per person
- torch, battery-operated radio and extra batteries for both
- spare clothing and adequate rainwear
- personal toiletries, towel and toilet paper
- bedding or sleeping bags and camp bed if you have one
- special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members
- REMEMBER, you are expected to be self-sufficient in an assigned shelter. Do not rely on others to provide these items for you
- place all important documents in waterproof bags and bring them with you (eg passport, airline tickets, driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, land titles, insurance documents, medial records, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates)
- Pets are NOT PERMITTED in government shelters, and you must obtain permission from your host if you wish to bring your animals to a High Commission assigned shelter. You are strongly advised to make provision for pets and animals in advance of a warning.
What to expect during and after the storm
Much will depend on the force and violence of the hurricane, but you can expect some or all of the following:
- Substantial flooding of coastal towns caused by rain and tidal surges
- Inland rivers may flood; flash floods could be a problem
- There will be flying debris and buildings may collapse
- Winds may be strong enough to knock people over or carry them away
- Pollution of the water supply; this may continue long after the hurricane has passed.
- Roads blocked by fallen trees and debris
- The Belize Meteorological Office has indicated that the Western Highway at around mile 5 is likely to be flooded and could be blocked for days. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
- Petrol supplies rationed; NEMO is responsible for rationing fuel
- Telephone lines will be down and the cellular network may not work
- Electricity supplies will fail due to falling power lines and non-delivery of diesel to generating stations
- Be aware that the calm within the eye of the storm is deceptive; the storm is far from over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds. Stay inside until you are officially told the storm is over.
- After the storm has passed, watch for fallen power lines which may still be live. If you have to drive anywhere, you should do so with extreme care.
