| Summary: | 1. Belize suffered considerable destruction from floods resulting from tropical rain systems in May-June and October 2008. The weather system culminating in Tropical Storm Arthur made a landfall on May 28 in Nicaragua. Through the first week of June, total rainfall in Belize reached nearly 30 inches, resulting in extensive flooding in the Corozal, Orange Walk, and Stann Creek Districts. Tropical Depression No. 16 (TD-16) made landfall in northern Honduras on October 16, 2008 inundating the highland region of Central America with rain for about five consecutive days. The situation was exacerbated a few days later by strong rainfall in Southern Mexico. Within days, the water masses moved from the Cayo highlands eastward into the Belize River Valley, and from the Mexican border Southward, to the lower-lying regions of central and Northern Belize, flooding over 100 communities in the Eastern Cayo, Belize, Orange Walk, and Corozal Districts. Flood waters began to recede only in November. The overall direct and economic losses are estimated at about US$66 million (4.8 percent of GDP), and the balance of payments impact at US$46 million.
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