Accidents & Disasters
Hurricane Melissa brings devastation to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations
Category 5 Hurricane Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on Tuesday, October 28th, before moving north over eastern Cuba and parts of Haiti, leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. The powerful storm brought catastrophic flooding, landslides, and sustained winds of up to 185 miles per hour, tearing roofs from buildings, uprooting trees, and devastating infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism in its path.
Accidents & Disasters
Fire Guts Small Business North of San Pedro Town
The San Pedro Fire Service is investigating an early morning fire on Saturday, October 4th, that destroyed a business stall north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The proprietor, Estela Chamul, expressed gratitude to those assisting her family in the aftermath of the blaze and shared that anyone wishing to help can reach them at 629-2510.
Accidents & Disasters
San Pedro Gas Turbine brought online after major power outage
A major power outage on Friday, September 26th, affected much of the country, including San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, after a system collapse in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula disrupted Belize’s power supply. On the island, the San Pedro Gas Turbine was immediately brought online at full capacity to keep most of the town powered until the system stabilized. The incident highlighted Belize’s heavy reliance on imported electricity from Mexico.
Accidents & Disasters
Child Injured Following Collision with SPTC Vehicle
A nine-year-old boy was hospitalized with a broken foot after being hit by a truck driven by a San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) employee on September 16th in the San Mateo area. The Town Council has since acknowledged the incident and provided financial assistance to the family.
Accidents & Disasters
American tourist dies while jet skiing near Secret Beach
The San Pedro Police Department is investigating the sudden death of an American tourist on Friday, September 26th, while he was riding a jet ski near Secret Beach. The deceased has been identified as 58-year-old Daryl La Mont McCray. Reports indicate that McCray had gone jet skiing with friends when he was later found floating in the water. Despite immediate assistance and being rushed to a medical facility, he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Accidents & Disasters
NEMO Strengthens Hurricane Preparedness for Persons with Disabilities in San Pedro
On August 12, 2025, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) held a key meeting in San Pedro to address disaster preparedness and shelter provisions for persons with disabilities. The session brought together key officials, including Marshall Nuñez, national chairperson of the Special Needs and Disability Committee, and Vanessa Parham, District Emergency Coordinator for Belize Rural South.
Accidents & Disasters
Fire in San Pablo Kills One, Investigation Ongoing
On the night of August 8, 2025, a fire broke out in San Pablo, destroying a small wooden and zinc shed in the yard of Mercy Trejo’s residence on Sunflower Street. Local firefighters, led by Fire Chief Kenneth Mortis, quickly contained and extinguished the blaze. Tragically, inside the structure, authorities discovered the charred remains of a 55-year-old man, later identified as Dary Denfield Blades, a maintenance worker from Ranchito Village and a family friend who often assisted with yard work.
Accidents & Disasters
Belize Bolsters Climate and Disaster Resilience with the World Bank’s Support
The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a US$20 million Development Policy Credit with a Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat-DDO) for Belize. The operation provides emergency funding in the event of a natural disaster and supports a targeted reform agenda to strengthen the country’s climate and disaster resilience.