Hurricane Season Comes to an End; Belize Spared
The 2021 Hurricane Season has come to an end and once again, Belize has been spared from any major storms. The prediction was for an above normal season, which the National Met Service says proved to be accurate; thankfully Belize was not affected. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon spoke with News Five’s Duane Moody today about the season, which did see some flooding, and reminds residents to remain assertive and prepared.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Outside the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges, 2021 has been a good year for the country, as it relates to the hurricane season. The predictions were for an above normal season with twenty-one named storms and four major hurricanes – none of which affected Belize.
Ronald Gordon
Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist
“Indeed we had an above normal season with twenty-one named storms forming; the average is for there to be fourteen. We had a normal season as it pertains to the number of hurricanes, we had seven hurricanes forming and the normal is for there to be seven. In terms of major hurricanes, we saw four major hurricanes forming this season and the average is for there to be three, so one more than what is normal. From a local perspective the season was inactive because we did not have a significant threat to us. The nearest hurricane or the system that came closest to us is Hurricane Grace that made landfall near Tulum, Mexico. Other than that, we did not have any significant threat – we did not have any watches or warnings this particular season.”
The country, however, did experience some flooding due to inclement weather conditions. But Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon says that the floods were not as extensive as previous years.
Ronald Gordon
“We did have occasions of heavy downpours whereby we had localised flooding. Fortunately, we did not see the level of flooding like we did last from Hurricane Eta or Iota. But we did have instances where there was some flooding. But at the bigger picture, looking at the rainfall totals throughout the season, I do not think they were above normal. In fact, I believe, for the most part, they were below normal.”
While there is reason to count your blessings, Gordon says that residents must remain prepared and vigilant at all times.
Ronald Gordon
“Even though we are officially closing off the hurricane season, weather does not finish here. We can have local weather conditions that can have devastating impact – not on a countrywide level of course, but locally to particular households or maybe to even communities. And that can be due to heavy downpours that results in flooding. We can also have severe thunderstorms with strong gusty winds that could affect people’s roofs and so on. So the message that I would like to leave is that persons need to be vigilant, monitor the weather situation, stay in tune with all the alerts and watches that come from this department as well as NEMO as we move out of the hurricane season.”
Residents are advised to use this season as a time to review their hurricane plan and strengthen possible gaps in these preparations. Duane Moody for News Five.
