140 mph hurricane threatens Belize with massive destruction
Hurricane Iris strengthened into the Atlantic’s most powerful hurricane of the year as it advanced across the Caribbean toward Central America tonight bringing winds of up to 140 mph.
In Belize, soldiers were going house to house evacuating the 65,000 people of Belize City, officials said. People also were ordered from their homes in coastal villages and islands of the Central American country.
‘‘We are expecting it to hit very hard,’’ said Arreini Palacio, a government spokeswoman. ‘‘We are in a state of emergency.’’
The storm brushed past Jamaica on Sunday with winds of 85 mph that toppled some trees, tore off roofs and left at least one injured. Three people were killed on Saturday when the hurricane passed through the Dominican Republic.
The hurricane’s winds strengthened dramatically as the storm moved over open water. Hurricane conditions were expected in Belize, Guatemala and northern Honduras tonight.
‘‘This is an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane,’’ said Richard Knabb, a meteorologist at the US National Hurricane Center in Miami. ‘‘This is going to cause extensive damage wherever it makes landfall.’’
