Hurricane 'Iris' hit the southern part of the country in early October, with sustained winds of up to 145mph that destroyed agricultural crops, fishing equipment and tourism and housing infrastructure. Up to 90 percent of the banana crop of southern Belize was flattened by the category 4 hurricane winds, which also destroyed maize, paddy, citrus and cacao crops. The Government has appealed for international assistance, and the international community is providing emergency relief to the affected population.