Jamaica's Long Road to Recovery After Hurricane Gilbert & How It Shaped The Island’s Future

Johnathan Henry Johnathan Henry
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Jamaica's Long Road to Recovery After Hurricane Gilbert & How It Shaped The Island’s Future

Hurricane Gilbert was a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall on Jamaica on September 12, 1988. It was the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica since 1780 and the most destructive in the island's history.

The hurricane caused widespread damage across Jamaica, with winds of up to 175 mph and a storm surge of 19 feet. The storm also produced record-breaking rainfall, with up to 823 mm (32.4 in) falling in some areas.

The damage from Hurricane Gilbert was extensive. Over 80% of the island's homes were damaged or destroyed, and nearly 500,000 people were left homeless. The storm also caused widespread flooding and mudslides, which killed 49 people and injured over 1,000.

The economic impact of Hurricane Gilbert was also severe. The storm caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage, which was equivalent to about 20% of Jamaica's GDP at the time. The storm also set back the country's tourism industry, which was one of its major economic drivers.

Hurricane Gilbert was a major disaster for Jamaica. The storm caused widespread damage and loss of life, and it had a significant impact on the country's economy. The island has since made significant improvements to its disaster preparedness and response capabilities, but it remains vulnerable to hurricanes.


Here are some additional details about the impact of Hurricane Gilbert on Jamaica:

  • The storm destroyed or damaged over 100,000 homes, schools, and businesses.
  • The storm also caused widespread flooding and mudslides, which damaged roads and bridges and isolated many communities.
  • The agricultural sector was also hard hit, with crops such as bananas, sugarcane, and coffee being destroyed.
  • The total cost of the damage from Hurricane Gilbert was estimated at $1.5 billion.

The recovery from Hurricane Gilbert was a long and difficult process. The government of Jamaica received international assistance to help with the reconstruction efforts, but it took many years for the island to fully recover.