Belize: Hurricane Nana makes landfall near Dangriga on September 3 /update 2

Event

Hurricane Nana made landfall in Belize early on Thursday, September 3, near Dangriga. Sustained winds of around 120 kph (75 mph) have been reported. The hurricane made landfall around 00:00 (local time) on Thursday morning and is tracking west southwest at 24 kph (15 mph). The storm has weakened overnight from a hurricane to a tropical storm, and further weakening is expected in the coming hours. A hurricane warning remains in effect for the coast of Belize, from Belize City to the Belize-Guatemala border, while a hurricane watch is in effect for the coast of Belize north of Belize city to the Mexico border.

Continued strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for Belize over the course of Thursday, with the associated risk of landslides and flooding. A significant disruption to transportation, business, and utilities is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from late May through to the end of November, with activity typically peaking in late August and early September. Numerous tropical storms form in the Atlantic Ocean during this period, with most affecting the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the east coast of the United States. Although communities in the region are generally well prepared for adverse weather conditions during the hurricane season, severe storms bring a significant risk of flooding and infrastructural damage.

Organized tropical activity tends to peak in August and September. Storms tend to flood sections of highways and cause dirt-based roads to become temporarily impassable. More organized systems, depending on intensity, can prove catastrophic in terms of tidal surge, wind damage, flooding, and mudslides.

Advice

Those in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, avoid areas directly affected by flooding, confirm road conditions before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.