Sister Carlette Gentle writes:
Hurricane Lisa hit Belize City on Wednesday evening, Nov. 2, 2022, at about 5:20 p.m., as a Category 1 hurricane. Winds blew up to 85 miles per hour as Lisa moved slowly over the country at 14 miles per hour. The heavy winds toppled trees and electric poles. Rooves blown off houses flew through the air like paper blown in the wind. Houses were even completely knocked down or blown off their foundations by the heavy wind gusts.
Here, at SCN Center, we experienced heavy winds that shook the plywood boards placed over windows to protect them. The gusty winds blew down many of our trees, our neighbors’ fence was destroyed, and powerlines flew in the wind as they detached from their posts. The hurricane brought a surge of between 3 and 5 feet. Looking through the windows of SCN Center, the Caribbean Sea and our front yard looked like one level plane. We did not know where the sea started, and the street ended. This brought a lot of debris into the yard. The continuous rain and storm surge flooded the house downstairs, bringing in more than 6 inches of rain and a layer of mud.
What an experience it was. But thank God we are alive and well. We have a lot of cleanup to do here at SCN Center. However, the country and its people have a more significant setback. Many lost their homes and possessions, schools were damaged, crops were lost, and rebuilding will take a while. However, everyone is thankful that there was not a life lost, and people are coming together to help each other as a community.
We thank you all for your prayers during this hurricane. We are blessed to have the support and care of so many.
Sister Carlette shares photos and video from SCN Center and Belize City:
Sister Carlette, you work so hard every day, and I am sorry to see this cleanup added to your work. You prepared well, as I can see from the way you elevated your furniture. I send prayers and a donation to OMA.
Praying for all of you in Belize.
We did follow the warnings and pray for your safety. Thank God, no lives were lost. I hope and pray that the people get back to normal life soon.
I am relieved to hear you all are ok and that no lives were lost. But a powerful storm indeed – it is hard to see the damaged houses and downed trees. I hope this will be the last hurricane of the season. Prayers of hope and strength to you all – and my support through OMA as well.
Carlette, SCNAS and the people of Belize are in my prayers
at this time. Know that the Spirit will be with you as you begin
the clean-up of the areas around you. You have my prayers and
assistance through my contribution through the Office of
Mission Advancement. Dot Jackson
Continued prayers for the people of Belize, and for you Carlette, Kerry, Higinia, our SCNAs. Thanking God for the miracle that no lives were lost.
Yes, the scary feeling of the surge, as you watch the sea and flooded street become one.
Blessings with the rebuilding and the cleanupzoom
You were so close! You must have a terrific clean up ahead of you. So grateful you are ok. Wish I could help. Praying for all of you!
So sorry to see all the damage!
So sorry to see the destruction and to hear about the houses severely affected. So glad that no lives were lost. We are with you all as you try to deal with the flooding and the cleanup.