BILLY WHITE, Cayo District, Mon. July 26, 2021– A large thunderstorm in the Cayo District wreaked a trail of havoc in Billy White and other villages in the area on Friday morning between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m.

The rainy season in Belize, which extends from May to November, is characterized by frequent periods of heavy rain and also occasional thunderstorms. So showers and thunderstorms are not unexpected at this time of the year, especially in inland areas.

What the residents of Billy White experienced on Friday, July 23, 2021, however, seemed to many of them to be freakishly strong — prompting a number of the villagers to conclude that the disturbance was actually a tornado, although meteorologists have since refuted that claim. The thunderstorm produced strong winds, however, similar to those of a miniature tornado. As a result, many trees were uprooted and large objects were picked up and tossed about, and considerable damage was done to a number of homes.

A 4-day forecast from the National Meteorological Services of Belize warns about possible isolated thunderstorms and showers for the upcoming week. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant for the remainder of the rainy season, especially when a severe thunderstorm alert has been issued. According to ready.gov, to remain safe during a thunderstorm, persons are advised to move from outdoors into a building or car, listen to weather alerts and warnings, and avoid using electronic devices connected to an outlet.