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Belize hurricane guide

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is the Government of Belize department responsible for keeping the country prepared for any emergency that needs a national response. It was set up in 1999 after Hurricane Mitch threatened Belize in October 1998. NEMO has coordinators in six districts, Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo, and publishes their office numbers. The National Meteorological Service of Belize provides the weather forecasts and tropical weather information. Belize is on this one page.

Checked on October 3, 2026

Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO). In a life threatening emergency, call 911.

What to know in Belize

  • NEMO says about 90 percent of hurricane deaths have been from drowning. It says everyone should leave cayes, beaches, and other places that storm waves or high tides can reach, and go to a recommended place of refuge.
  • NEMO says to leave early so that flooded roads, fallen trees, wires, and traffic jams do not strand you, and to rely only on official bulletins from radio and television, not on phone calls.
  • If there is a lull after the eye of the storm passes, NEMO says to stay in a safe place except to make emergency repairs, because the wind may return suddenly with even greater strength.
  • For Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, NEMO issued numbered advisories, beginning with a Hurricane Watch on July 3. Belize Electricity Limited said NEMO announced the All Clear at 7:51 a.m. on July 5, after Beryl made landfall over the Yucatan Peninsula north of Belize. This is a past event.

Emergency and information numbers

Service Number Notes
Emergency 911 Listed as the emergency number by the Belize Police Department. The Belize Police Department also lists 922 for anonymous reports.
NEMO headquarters, Belmopan +501-822-2054 Office line. Also +501-822-0995. Not for life threatening emergencies.
NEMO Corozal district office +501-422-0262 District emergency coordinator's office, as NEMO lists it.
NEMO Orange Walk district office +501-302-3228 District emergency coordinator's office, as NEMO lists it. NEMO also lists +501-302-2322.
NEMO Belize district office (Belize City) +501-207-0544 Belize City coordinators' office, as NEMO lists it.
NEMO Cayo district office +501-824-3201 District emergency coordinator's office, as NEMO lists it.
NEMO Stann Creek district office +501-522-0061 District emergency coordinator's office, as NEMO lists it. NEMO also lists +501-522-0218.
NEMO Toledo district office +501-722-0384 District emergency coordinator's office, as NEMO lists it. NEMO also lists +501-722-2354.

Official alerts and information

  • NEMO latest news and advisories: NEMO posts numbered advisories during storms and floods. Check the date on each one. Website.
  • National Meteorological Service tropical weather: The Service's site has a tropical weather outlook, public advisory, and storm tracking section. Website.

National resources

  • National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO): National preparedness guides, hazard information, news, and the disaster database. Website.
  • Preparedness Guidelines (NEMO): Hurricane safety rules, the emergency family plan, and pet protection advice. Website.
  • District Emergency Coordinators (NEMO): NEMO's list of district and regional coordinators and their offices. Website.

For state agencies across the country, see the official sources page.

Evacuation centers

Open only when announced

Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.

NEMO publishes a national hurricane shelter list for 2026 and a Hurricane Shelter Locator map so you can find your nearest shelter before a storm. These are for planning only and do not show which shelters are open. Follow NEMO announcements for what to do. Pets are not allowed at shelters, so NEMO says to make your own arrangements for them.

Official list of open evacuation centers

Radio, TV and weather

Keep a battery or hand crank radio. When power and cell service fail, radio is often the only way to hear official updates.

Official forecasts

  • National Meteorological Service of Belize: Belize's national weather service, at Philip Goldson International Airport, Ladyville. Also +501-225-2054. Service operations run daily, 24 hours. Phone: +501-225-2011. Website.
  • National Hurricane Center: US hurricane forecasts for storms near Belize. NEMO and the Meteorological Service link to it. Follow NEMO and the Meteorological Service for official alerts. Website.

Power, water and debris

  • Belize Electricity Limited (BEL): Toll free from within Belize: 0-800-235-2273, also written 0-800-BEL-CARE. Report fallen or damaged power lines here. BEL crews cannot work on power lines during rain or lightning and wait for the All Clear. BEL also has a 24-7 app. Website.
  • Belize Water Services (BWS): Customer service line, toll free from within Belize: 0-800-225-5297, also +501-222-4757. Not described as an emergency line. Website.

Sources

Checked on October 3, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.