Why is Cuba vulnerable to hurricanes?

Cuba is vulnerable to hurricanes primarily due to its geographic location in the tropics. From June to November, the country is frequently exposed to these storms, which bring strong winds and heavy rains that can cause widespread damage and suffering.1

While hurricanes occasionally strike the island, they more commonly impact the south coast. The intensity of these events can be severe; for example, Hurricane Irma, which struck in 2017, was the first category 5 hurricane to hit Cuba directly since 1924, resulting in significant destruction to homes and infrastructure.23