A temporary exhibit is on display at the Museum of Belize
this month, it is called, "Eye of the Storm - Fifty Years Since Hurricane
Hattie". The exhibit features a videodocumentary, items from the Craig's
Family Collection, recollections from The Archives and Records Department and
reserach conducted by the researchers at Museum of Belize.
Belize has had it's share of hurricane hits and near
misses.
Janet in 1955. The eye of Janet packed winds of 135 miles
per hour and it made landfall on a small Mexican village north of San Pedro
Town. In
Corozal town, the eye reached winds of up to 150 knots. There were
devastating winds and massive flooding in the northern districts, 16 deaths,
and 20,000 people left homeless. In San Pedro, the houses on back street were
damaged, the beach homes and lots were large mounds of sand, and the beach increased
by many feet.
Hattie in October 1961.
Hattie formed inside the Caribbean Sea and traveled north towards Cuba.
Then, unfortunately for Belize, turned west and tracked directly into Belize
City. Hattie's eye had winds of 115
miles per hour with gusts estimated at 200 miles per hour. The eye passed
between Belize City and Dangriga causing 307 deaths in Belize City alone. It
was this hurricane that resulted in George Price, and the People's United Party
(PUP) to relocate their Capital City from Belize City to the safer location of
Belmopan.
