On the morning of July 3, 2024, as Hurricane Beryl barreled toward Jamaica with category 4 winds and torrential rain, communities braced for impact. More than 20 years prior, Tropical Storm Michelle brought devastating floods, battered the coastline, and damaged over 300 homes in Annotto Bay. This time, however, the outcome was different. Thanks to strategic investments in disaster preparedness, Jamaica’s defenses held stronger, protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
For years, Jamaica has been highly exposed to natural disasters, from hurricanes and floods to earthquakes and landslides. With 82 percent of the population living within five kilometers of the coast and the majority of industries and essential services concentrated in vulnerable low-lying areas, the risks have been immense. Recognizing the urgent need for resilience, the Government of Jamaica partnered with the World Bank to implement the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to withstand climate and disaster risks.
Protecting Coastal Communities from Rising Waters
In Annotto Bay, a small coastal town long plagued by erosion and storm surges, the work of the project was put to the test as Beryl’s waves pounded the shore. Historically, severe storms had stripped away the beach, leaving homes and businesses vulnerable to the sea’s encroachment. However, with the construction of three protective groynes – barriers built to prevent erosion - and a widening of the beach by 12 meters into the ocean, the town was no longer at the mercy of the waves. The project’s nature-based solutions performed as designed—while minor sand displacement occurred, the coastline remained intact.
For the residents of Port Royal Street in Kingston, past hurricanes turned a critical transportation route into a hazard zone, with the road’s structural integrity continually threatened by coastal erosion. Now, as part of the project, a newly reinforced seawall was constructed along Port Royal Street to counteract coastal erosion and protect critical infrastructure. This seawall was designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, reducing the impact of storm surges and preventing further degradation of the coastline. During Beryl, the newly reinforced seawall stood firm, protecting not only the roadway but also nearby homes and businesses. Beneficiaries observed tangible improvements, such as stronger coastal defenses and better infrastructure, which enhanced their ability to withstand extreme weather events and maintain safe passage even in the aftermath of storms.
Keeping Communities Dry: Urban Drainage Upgrades
Further inland, communities that once suffered from severe flooding saw dramatic improvements. Myton Gully and Church Pen, two areas notorious for rising floodwaters, had undergone crucial upgrades—891 meters of drainage enhancements and 336 meters of bridge rehabilitation. In the past, heavy rains transformed these neighborhoods into waterlogged disaster zones, with flood levels reaching up to two meters. This time, as Hurricane Beryl’s downpour tested the system, the upgraded infrastructure functioned as intended. Roads remained accessible and homes were spared from inundation.
Enhancing Emergency Response with Modern Fire Stations
The project also addressed critical gaps in emergency response. Before the project, the Jamaica Fire Brigade in Port Maria operated from smaller locations, forcing firefighters to travel long distances from Ocho Rios—resulting in response times of up to 45 minutes during major emergencies. The construction of a new fire station transformed emergency services in the area. When Beryl struck, response times had been cut to under 10 minutes, allowing first responders to quickly manage flood-related emergencies. Similar improvements were seen in Montego Bay and Yallahs, where new and rehabilitated fire stations significantly reduced response times and expanded coverage to thousands more residents. Surveys revealed high levels of satisfaction among communities, with beneficiaries citing improved response times, enhanced firefighting capacity, and stronger community outreach efforts.
Science and Policy: Strengthening Jamaica’s Disaster Preparedness
Beyond physical infrastructure, the project also strengthened Jamaica’s ability to assess and mitigate disaster risks through improved data collection and analysis. One of the most significant achievements was the upgrade of the national seismic monitoring system. Prior to the project, the country’s earthquake detection capabilities were limited, with outdated equipment and large data gaps. The installation of new seismic stations, powered by solar energy and integrated into a national network, improved detection accuracy and informed building regulations.
Additionally, seismic microzonation studies, which analyze how different soil types, rock formations, and topography influence ground shaking during an earthquake, provided unprecedented insights into Jamaica’s earthquake vulnerability. By mapping these variations in detail, the studies helped authorities understand which areas are at higher risk and require stronger building regulations or retrofitting measures. Furthermore, a Rapid Visual Screening was conducted to assess structures for earthquake vulnerabilities, allowing authorities to identify high-risk buildings in need of intervention to minimize damage and loss of life. As part of the project, 3,861 residential and commercial structures were evaluated. While over 90 percent passed the assessment, significant structural vulnerabilities were found in critical facilities such as schools and police stations. This risk information was shared with government agencies, building owners, and administrators to guide decisions on further technical assessments, retrofitting, or reconstruction. These combined efforts have been essential for integrating risk-informed planning across government agencies, infrastructure projects, and urban development initiatives.
A key component of the project was also the development of the National Risk Information Platform (NRIP), a digital portal consolidating hazard and risk data. Designed to serve as a central resource for policymakers, urban planners, and emergency responders, the NRIP’s full rollout is expected in 2025. This platform will support evidence-based decision-making, ensuring that future investments in infrastructure and disaster preparedness are informed by real-time risk assessments.
A Model for Resilience
As Jamaica continues to face the increasing threats of climate change and natural disasters, the Jamaica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project stands as a model of proactive disaster risk management. The project has benefited 1.6 million people, more than 50% of the population—well beyond its initial target—and has significantly strengthened the country’s ability to withstand and recover from disasters.
When Hurricane Beryl struck, the results were clear: stronger infrastructure, better emergency response, and a more resilient nation. The lessons from this initiative will continue to shape Jamaica’s approach to disaster risk reduction, ensuring that communities are better protected against the challenges that lie ahead.
