Living in Belize and the Tropical Weather

Belize is a fantastic Caribbean destination that appeals especially to Brits who are tired of the cold and dank conditions so characteristic of the UK at this time of the year.  Getting away from it all to soak up the sun and ride the surf sounds like a dream come true doesn’t it?  And Belize is indeed a fantastic country to do this in but, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence!

Living in Belize and the tropical weather can and does present people with a whole new set of issues to come to terms with.  If you’re thinking of living in Belize the biggest issue you will have to deal with will be the occasional hurricane!

Whilst it’s easy to watch from afar and say weathering this type of storm is probably easy, the reality is that nature is nothing to fool with.  If you want to go about living in Belize, you will need to know a thing or two about these storms.

In this article we’ll explore living in Belize during hurricane season.  Whilst it’s very true that most years come and go without anything more than a torrential downpour caused by a basic tropical storm, hurricanes do sometimes pay Belize a call.  In fact, Hurricane Dean made his presence known in August 2007.  The damage left behind in his wake was extensive.

So, what do you need to know about living in Belize and dealing with hurricanes?  A whole lot!  Here is some of the best advice from weather experts.  It is especially important for residents living in coastal areas to pay heed, but do keep in mind, big storms can and do bring their fury inland.

To prepare for hurricanes, you need to: -

Pay close attention to the weather.  Whilst hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 1 each year, watching the weather almost year round is a smart plan.  The tropics are known for some rather unique weather formations.  The better prepared you are and the more informed, the safer you are likely to be.

Pay heed to evacuation warnings.  If you have chosen to live on a beautiful waterfront cove, be ready to evacuate from time to time.  Whilst some people might choose to stay, the wise person packs up and rides out nasty storms in safer locations.

Have emergency kits ready.  Hurricane kits include things such as a food supply for a few days, flashlights, batteries, clothing, medicines and other essentials.  These should be taken to shelters or hotels if evacuating.  It is a good idea to also have a stockpile of nonperishable foods, water, first aid supplies and other essentials on hand no matter the time of year.  Bad storms can and do knock out power for hours or even days.

Whilst living in Belize will very much afford a Brit access to many more sunny days, when the skies get dark here, they get very dark.  Understanding the severity of tropical weather, planning for it and paying attention to warnings can save your life.