The storm hit Belize on the 30th September 2000. It remained in the area for 4 days with winds of 60-135 mph and torrential rains. Hurricane Keith affected the coastal islands of Belize as a Category 3 hurricane but weakened to a tropical storm before actually making landfall in mainland Belize. The Keys (San Pedro and Caulker) were hardest hit, where more than 2,000 persons were affected. Approx. 30,000 people were affected by flooded communities in the rural districts of Belize, Orange Walk, Corozal and Cayo. Many houses were destroyed as much as 60 % in the Keys.
The most devastating effects were caused by days of torrential rains, which flooded homes and croplands. In all, more than 100,000 people were affected by the disaster - 40 percent of the population. the hurricane's torrential rains also left many people without clean drinking water or food. The floods contaminated wells and damaged 75 percent of the country including October's corn harvest. Hurricane-force winds flattened homes, hotels and restaurants, overturned aircraft, battered fishing boats, washed away jetties and left the area's pristine beaches in disarray.
Some 3,279 homes were damaged or destroyed and more than 1,200 people were forced to evacuate. The storm caused wind damage to the coastal tourist resort areas. Northern Belize was drenched with severe flooding that persisted for over 6 weeks. There was a fall-off in economic activity as attested to by the loss of property, hours of work, the loss of business and the loss of crops. This affected the livelihoods of farmers in the Orange Walk and fishermen in Ambergris Caye. The economic value of the loss or damage has been estimated at US$105.8 million for agriculture and US$ 6.0 for fisheries.
Total damage estimated at 280 million USD. This included:
The social Sector (including housing) – 37 million USD
Infrastructure: 44 million USD
Economic Sectors: 164 million USD
Environment: 24.5 Million USD
There were 5 deaths as a result of 2 catamarans breaking loose during the storm.
Source: https://goo.gl/wEFceH, https://goo.gl/3qmBeJ