Why are hurricanes a major hazard in Belize?

Hurricanes are a significant hazard in Belize primarily due to the country's geographic location on the northeast coast of Central America, which leaves it vulnerable to tropical cyclones from July through November.1

These storms pose a severe threat because they bring extreme, high-velocity winds capable of causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure and displacing large numbers of people. The destructive potential of these events is well-documented in the country's history:12

• 1931: A hurricane largely destroyed Belize City, contributing to significant economic hardship.3
• 1961: Another devastating hurricane ravaged the original capital, Belize City, which prompted the government to build a new, safer capital city, Belmopan, located further inland.4
• 2000: A major hurricane caused widespread destruction to the nation's infrastructure and displaced tens of thousands of residents.1

Because of these recurring risks, hurricanes remain a critical environmental concern for the nation's safety and development.1