For many on islands like Barbuda, the sound of thunderstorms can still evoke painful memories of Hurricane Irma in September 2017, a storm that left many residents with nothing. Eight years later, the threat of powerful cyclones is compounded by the rising cost of home insurance. Premiums have surged by up to 40% across the region, driven by increasing storm intensity and the challenge of covering risks across small populations.
Dwight Benjamin, a Barbudan resident, has reinforced his home with a concrete-roofed shelter, a precaution born from the storm’s fury. Like many, he carries no home insurance, viewing it as an unaffordable expense. “We believe in what we have built and that it should be able to withstand the weather,” he states, reflecting a common sentiment of self-reliance born from economic necessity.
The hurricane season, running from June to November, particularly impacts northern Caribbean nations. For communities like Antigua and Barbuda, which are deeply indebted, external aid and resilient rebuilding efforts are crucial. International support has aided in reconstruction and provided vital cash-for-work programs, offering employment and stimulating local economies in the wake of destruction. Training in “build back better” techniques is also key to enhancing resilience against increasingly frequent and intense storms.
Organizations like the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) offer a vital risk-pooling mechanism for member governments, providing coverage at a lower cost. Meanwhile, preparedness is a year-round effort for disaster management offices, focusing on infrastructure resilience, community training, and proactive measures to mitigate flood risks.
As the region faces a changing climate and more unpredictable weather patterns, the focus is shifting towards greater resilience and proactive planning. Despite the anxieties that the hurricane season brings, many islanders remain steadfast in their determination to survive and rebuild.