Hurricanes' Havoc On Antigua And Barbuda: A Historical Overview

Antigua and Barbuda is no stranger to hurricanes, with the hurricane season lasting from early June to late November. On average, the islands experience hurricanes about six times a year, although they often don't make landfall and turn northward beforehand. The most recent hurricane to hit the islands was Tammy in October 2023, which reached wind speeds of up to 148 km/h. However, the most severe hurricane in recent memory was Hurricane Irma in September 2017, which had catastrophic effects on the islands, particularly Barbuda, which was left ruined and largely uninhabitable.

Hurricane Irma's impact on Barbuda

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 mega-storm, hit Barbuda in September 2017, causing catastrophic damage to the island. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. The hurricane's impact left a young boy dead and approximately 90% of properties damaged.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the island was completely evacuated due to the threat of Hurricane Jose and concerns about diseases caused by stagnant water and vermin issues. The evacuation prolonged the absence of residents, causing further destruction as damaged properties were left unattended, leading to rotting and additional damage. This delay in returning home also made it easier for people to start new lives in Antigua or abroad, impacting the potential recovery of Barbuda's population.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda extended beyond physical damage. The storm exacerbated pre-existing tensions between Antigua and Barbuda, with Barbudans accusing the Antiguan government of exploiting the crisis to serve the interests of tourist ventures and developers. The focus on tourism development and the proposed changes to land ownership laws in Barbuda have threatened the island's unique culture, identity, and traditional land relations. The reconstruction and recovery efforts have been criticized for their cultural insensitivity and political motivations.

The hurricane also disrupted the cherished lifestyle of Barbudans, who were forced to adapt to life in Antigua or elsewhere. The slower pace of life in Barbuda, without chain restaurants or major tourism, contrasted sharply with the modern world of Antigua, marked by cruise ships and a faster pace. The evacuation and displacement disrupted traditional practices such as horse racing, hunting, camping, and beach festivities, endangering their preservation.

The total damages from Hurricane Irma in Antigua and Barbuda were estimated at US$136.1 million, with the tourism sector accounting for 44% of the total damage costs and housing accounting for 37%. The recovery needs were substantial, with US$222.2 million required, including US$79.6 million needed to repair or replace houses. The water and sanitation sector also required urgent attention, as all water sources on Barbuda were contaminated by the hurricane.

Hurricane Maria's impact on Antigua

Hurricane Maria was a devastating tropical cyclone that impacted the island of Antigua on September 18, 2017, just 12 days after the island was hit by Hurricane Irma.

The Impact of Hurricane Maria on Antigua

Antigua was already reeling from the effects of Hurricane Irma when Hurricane Maria struck. As a result, the damage caused by Hurricane Maria aggravated the situation on the island. The total damages from Hurricanes Irma and Maria on Antigua and its sister island, Barbuda, were significant, amounting to US$136.1 million. The tourism sector, which accounted for 44% of the total damage costs, was the most affected, followed by housing, which accounted for 37% of the damage.

The hurricane brought strong winds and flooding to Antigua, causing extensive damage to physical assets, including roads, buildings, and infrastructure. The storm also impacted the water and sanitation sector, with important water supplies contaminated and in need of urgent recovery efforts. Additionally, there were concerns about the stability of the livestock population, and the need to provide food and water to those affected.

The total losses for Antigua and Barbuda, in terms of changes in economic flows resulting from the disaster, were estimated to be approximately US$18.9 million. The recovery needs were substantial, with the total amount required to repair or replace houses and other infrastructure reaching US$222.2 million. The situation was so severe that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda requested support from the World Bank Group and other international organizations to undertake a recovery needs assessment and assist in relief efforts.

The impact of Hurricane Maria on Antigua was part of the broader devastation it caused across the northeastern Caribbean, with the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico bearing the brunt of the storm's deadly and costly impact.

Antigua and Barbuda's hurricane season

The hurricane season in Antigua and Barbuda usually lasts from early June to late November. On average, the islands are hit by hurricanes about six times a year, although they often turn northward before making landfall. The remnants of these storms can still cause gusts of wind and rain on land.

In recent years, the most severe hurricane to make landfall in Antigua and Barbuda was Hurricane Irma in 2017. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. A two-year-old boy died, and an estimated 90% of properties were damaged, with 45% of houses left uninhabitable. The total damages from Hurricane Irma were estimated at US$136.1 million, with the tourism sector accounting for 44% of the total damage costs and housing accounting for 37%.

In the same year, Antigua and Barbuda were also affected by Hurricane Jose, which caused an evacuation of all 1,800 residents of Barbuda to Antigua. Although Jose passed without incident, the government warned that issues with stagnant water and vermin had rendered Barbuda unsafe for habitation.

In 2024, the most severe hurricane to impact Antigua and Barbuda was Tammy, a Category 1 hurricane that reached wind speeds of up to 148 km/h near Codrington. Other recent hurricanes that have affected the islands include Ernesto and Beryl in 2024, and Sam, Grace, Elsa, Laura, Isaias, and Dorian in 2020-2021.

The Antigua and Barbuda government's response to hurricanes

Antigua and Barbuda are no strangers to hurricanes, with the hurricane season lasting from early June to late November. While hurricanes often do not make landfall, they can still cause powerful gusts of wind and rain.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has had to respond to a number of hurricanes over the years, including the most recent, Hurricane Tammy, in October 2023. This hurricane reached a wind speed of 148 km/h and was a category 1 hurricane. The government's response to hurricanes in the past has included working with international organisations and local communities to provide disaster relief and recovery.

In 2017, the government had to respond to two hurricanes in quick succession: Irma and Maria. Hurricane Irma hit on September 6, 2017, with catastrophic effects. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. The government, along with the Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society (ABRCS), evacuated over 1,400 residents from the island to Antigua. The U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda S. Taglialatela, issued a disaster declaration, and USAID provided $100,000 to ABRCS for essential relief items. The government also worked with the United Nations, the European Union, and the Caribbean Development Bank to conduct a recovery needs assessment, which estimated the total damages at US$ 136.1 million, with the tourism and housing sectors being the most affected.

In the days following Hurricane Irma, there was a strong possibility that Hurricane Jose, a category four hurricane, would also hit Barbuda. Thankfully, the hurricane changed course and passed north of the island. However, the government still had to respond to the aftermath of Irma, which included providing urgent support to the water and sanitation sector, as all water sources on Barbuda had been damaged.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has also implemented measures to reduce disaster risk and improve response capabilities. They have worked with USAID/OFDA, which has provided over $95 million since 2010 to support stand-alone disaster risk reduction programs in the region. These programs aim to prevent or mitigate the effects of hazards and strengthen linkages among risk identification, monitoring, early warning, and preparatory action.

Antigua and Barbuda's hurricane history

Hurricanes occur frequently in Antigua and Barbuda, with hurricane season lasting from early June to late November. On average, they happen about six times a year, although they often do not make landfall, turning northward beforehand.

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda, resulting in catastrophic damage. The storm's eye passed directly over the island, bringing winds of 185 mph, storm surges, and flooding. A two-year-old boy died, and an estimated 90% of properties were damaged. The total damages for the hurricane in Antigua and Barbuda were US$136.1 million, with the tourism sector accounting for 44% of the total damage costs and housing accounting for 37%.

Two days after Irma, Hurricane Jose threatened Barbuda, and the prime minister ordered an evacuation of all 1,800 residents to Antigua. Jose passed without incident, but the government warned that issues with stagnant water and vermin had rendered Barbuda unsafe for habitation. Three weeks after Irma, some residents were allowed to return, although life on the island was slow to return to normal.

In addition to Irma and Jose, other hurricanes that have affected Antigua and Barbuda include Hurricane Baker in 1950, Hurricane Bertha in 1996, Tropical Storm Claudette in 1979, Hurricane Danny in 2015, Hurricane Debby in 2000, Hurricane Dog in 1950, Hurricane Earl in 2010 and 2022, Hurricane Klaus in 1990, and Hurricane Maria in 2017.

The most severe hurricane to make landfall in Antigua and Barbuda in the past year was Tammy, which reached wind speeds of up to 148 km/h near Codrington in October 2023.

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