Belize: Hurricane Beryl - Flash Update No. 01 (as of 04 July 2024)

This report has been produced with the support of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). If required, an update will be produced within the next 24 to 48 hours, depending on the evolution of the situation on the ground and the information available from impacted areas.

KEY MESSAGES

• Hurricane Beryl is heading towards the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, as a Category 2 Storm. Although a direct landfall on Belize is unlikely, this system is expected to produce moderate to heavy rainfall across Belize starting today and continue through the next 24 to 36 hours as it moves across the Yucatan Peninsula..

• A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect from Belize City to Corozal, including the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.

• The United Nations Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) has initiated its preparedness protocols, meeting on a regular basis and is in close contact with National Authorities standing ready to provide support.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Hurricane Beryl, the most powerful June Hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, is currently on track to impact the Yucatan Peninsula, north of Belize. The system is moving on a west-northwest trajectory at 20 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Although a direct landfall on Belize is unlikely, the system is likely to produce moderate to heavy rainfall across northern districts of Belize starting on Thursday and continuing over the weekend as it moves across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches are possible, which could generate flooding over lowlying and flood-prone areas given that soils in the area are already saturated. Gusty winds of tropical storm force are possible in the extreme north of the country as the system makes landfall later tonight.

The National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of Belize has been fully activated and the Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) have been activated in the northern districts. Although a curfew has not been declared, residents are requested to exercise extreme caution. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect from Belize City to Corozal, including the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Preliminary estimations suggest that more than 200,000 people are living in the northern districts potentially impacted by Beryl.

The potential impact of Hurricane Beryl comes shortly after Belize has been impacted by extensive wildfires which generated loss of homes, livelihoods and impact to natural reserves across the country amid extremely hot and dry weather conditions.

In November 2022, Hurricane Lisa battered Belize as a Category 1 storm. The hurricane brought torrential rains, powerful winds, and significant storm surges, leading to extensive damage to infrastructure, severe economic impacts, and considerable humanitarian challenges resulting.