Hurricane Lisa made landfall in Belize about 10 miles southwest of Belize City, around 4:20p.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 with maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 85 mph (140 km/h), and the minimum central pressure is estimated to be 990 mb (29.24 inches).) This meant significant damage caused by the category 1 storm to Belize City and Ladyville. The islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker were spared from major damage and are underway in returning to normality.
Beaches on Ambergris Caye will need minor cleanup of sargassum and debris
This was the only damage to a house along the beach that we noticed. It’s zinc roof started to come apart during the storm
Only this structure at the end of a dock on North Ambergris Caye has been reported to have collapsed
Some damage reported in nearby Caye Caulker
While a beautiful sunrise gave sight to only minor debris along the shoreline in San Pedro Town, residents of Belize City woke up to the harsh reality of major damage. Buildings lost roofs (including Belize Elementary School, Court House, Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly, the city bus terminal) old and smaller houses collapsed and lampposts toppled causing power outages throughout the city.
Significant damage were reported at Belize City Hall and the Civic Center; cell towers buckled in downtown, shipping containers toppled, planes at the municipal airport were tossed like toys, piers collapsed in to the sea and extensive flooding was reported in the city and neighborhoods adjacent to the sea (including Buttonwood Bay, Bella Vista, Vista del Mar).
The “All Clear” has been given for the entire country and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation has notified that the Phillip Goldson International Airport officially re-opened at 11a.m. today, Thursday, November 3. Local airlines are scheduled to commence scheduled flights later this afternoon; water taxis start operation tomorrow, Friday, November 4.
Our hearts go out to those affected in our community by Hurricane Lisa, especially those in the Belize and Stann Creek Districts. As city and mainland residents take on the immense task of cleaning up, repairing damages and getting back to normal, we pray that there are no casualties, injuries.
Damages in Belize City
Sailboats were crushed together alongside the Swing Bridge in downtown Belize City during the peak of the storm
Some damage at the Municipal Airport in Belize City
Collapsed homes in the mainland