In October 1998 when the hurricane known as Mitch pulled up short of Belize and unleashed its category five wrath elsewhere, Belizeans let out a collective sigh of relief, safe in the knowledge that we had dodged a heavy calibre bullet. Two years later Mitch’s younger cousin named Keith finally did what Mitch could not…and […]
While the storm raged outside, residents of Belize City and other communities took shelter as best they could. Those with sturdy houses rode out the wind and rain at home. Others headed west, but those who could not sought out government designated shelters. In many cases, due to the suddenness of the hurricane’s approach, the […]
When Keith finally moved off to Mexico, residents of Belize City emerged to survey the damage…and what they found wasn’t pretty. See if you recognize your neighbourhood among the following scenes. (Montage of uprooted trees, flooded areas and collapsed fences)
Every disaster produces its share of heroes…and Keith is no exception. During the drama of the last few days there is no doubt that dozens of Belizeans performed extraordinary acts of courage or generosity. We cannot attempt to catalogue them all, but we can single out one of our own for special recognition. Proving that […]
Another organisation with no shortage of heroes is Belize Electricity Limited. BEL crews worked throughout the storm and will still be repairing damage at least for the next several weeks. We caught up with BEL’s chief executive Lynn Young as he prepared to fly to San Pedro. Lynn Young, Chief Executive Officer, BEL “I think […]
Lynn Young was not the only concerned mainlander flying out to the cayes. Prime Minister Said Musa boarded a British Forces helicopter in Belmopan and before heading north, made a brief inspection of Belize City. News Five’s Stewart Krohn caught up with him as he touched down at the municipal airstrip. Stewart Krohn “Prime Minister, […]
Getting out to the most devastated areas on the cayes was no easy feat, but News Five’s Jose Sanchez and cameraman Brent Toombs managed to hop on a boat. Jose has just returned with the videotape and put together the following clips. Marla Burgess, Hurricane Victim “Everything. I just bought a new freezer, TV, I […]
While the destruction of Caye Caulker was substantial, the community, which bore the brunt of Keith’s 125 mile per hour winds and water, was San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Twice the eye passed over the town and like Caye Caulker the storm’s heaviest blows came from the west, hitting hardest not the fancy hotels on the […]
