The people of Punta Gorda Town in the Toledo District are very grateful that they were spared by Hurricane Iris. In fact, during the night it was difficult to tell that a Category 4 hurricane was so close. Though the town experienced strong gusts of wind, heavy rains, and choppy seas, damage in town was very minimal. There was a little water on the street but no major flooding. The power outage which lasted for about five hours during the night is now fully restored.

Everyone in the town is reorganizing themselves after all the preparation for Iris. Businesses are open and services are operational.

Smaller towns and villages north of Punta Gorda were not as fortunate. Independence, Big Falls, Monkey River Town, and several Mayan villages bore the brunt of IRIS. The majority of thatch homes were lost in these areas. No deaths have been reported so far. Citizens countrywide are pulling together to supply relief efforts to these people. An assessment of the area is currently underway.

Information for this report was contributed by:

Seafront Inn - 10/10/2001
We were spared here at Seafront Inn at Punta Gorda and we are in perfect shape to host our customers to the best of our ability as usual. seafront@btl.net

Tates Guest House - teach@btl.net

Requenas Charter Services - watertaxi@btl.net

Toledo Institue for Development and the Environment - tidetours@btl.net

Sea Hunt Adventures - seahunt@btl.net

Other Destination Reports Outer Atolls | Belize District | Caye Caulker | Cayo | Corozal Orange Walk | Placencia | San Pedro/Ambergris Caye | Stann Creek | Toledo