The rainy season in Jamaica is a time of year that some Jamaicans do not look forward to. Between the months of June and December the island of Jamaica receives a substantial amount of rainfall. The majority of the time, the rainfall is moderate but at other times it is a heavy downpour that can last for days. In extreme cases, the heavy rain is accompanied by strong winds which develops into a hurricane. Hurricanes can produce very heavy rainfall and winds of up to 100 miles an hour. Hurricanes in Jamaica often devastate parts of the island and cause substantial flooding. Many areas become impassable.
When Jamaica experiences a hurricane, the economy grinds to a halt, and the infrastructure of the island takes a beating. Roads are damaged, electric poles are destroyed and electrical wiring is blown away or ripped apart. Many local businesses are damaged either directly or indirectly by a hurricane. Local businesses are directly damaged by the physical force of the hurricane’s wind, and water which destroys property. On the other hand, they are indirectly damaged by the loss of revenue caused by having to remain closed during a hurricane. The loss of life and damage to personal property is usually directly proportional to the magnitude of the hurricane.
After the onslaught of a hurricane, many goods and services have to imported into the island to compensate for the lost productivity, destroyed crops and damaged infrastructure. Having to import foreign goods is an added expense. The damage caused by a hurricane and the lost productivity often amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars. Furthermore, revenue from tourism (on which the local economy depends) is lost because flights are canceled, tourists cut their visit short, and other visitors have no alternative but to postpone or cancel their trip.
The rainy season in Jamaica is a time of year that some Jamaicans do not look forward to. Between the months of June and December the island of Jamaica receives a substantial amount of rainfall. With ever changing weather patterns and climate changes, hurricanes are becoming ever more prevalent in the Caribbean. Before booking a trip to Jamaica one should remember that Jamaica’s geographic location predisposes it to hurricanes. Therefore, preparation and research should be done prior to planning a trip to Jamaica.
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