Hurricane Janet 1955

Belize which was known as British Honduras as the time was hit on the 28th September, 1928, winds of more than 175 m.p.h. recorded at the Airport however the anemometer broke, the wind continued to increase and the max. winds were estimated at 200 mph. Janet was described as the fiercest hurricane in the history of the county accompanied by torrential downpours and flooding in large parts of the Northern Districts, Little flooding from the sea except in the area of Sarteneja where the water is reported to have risen by 8 feet.

90 % of Corozal Town was reported to have been destroyed, all crops were flattened this included sugar cane, citrus, corn and bananas. The hurricane damaged a large proportion of houses in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts. Damage was more severe in Corozal as compared to Orange Walk. Serious damage was also caused in Belize district and on the Cayes.

16 persons lost their lives as a result of the storm. Damage to the following sectors:

Agriculture: B.H. $ 2,631,000
Damage to Government Property: B.H. $ 225,000
Schools and Churches: 7 schools destroyed, 7 damaged, some churches destroyed and damaged
Damage to Private Property: some 400 homes in Corozal Town with damages at an estimated B.H 800,000

Total damage estimated at USD 5,000, 000

Source: https://goo.gl/7Zd1uL

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1955

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