Hurricanes that Affected Dominica

Dominica, situated in the hurricane-prone Eastern Caribbean, has faced severe storms throughout history, causing devastation to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. With some of the most powerful hurricanes making direct landfall, the country has prioritized climate resilience and disaster preparedness. From Hurricane David in 1979 to Hurricane Maria in 2017, these storms have shaped Dominica’s rebuilding efforts and climate adaptation strategies.

Major Hurricanes in Dominica’s History

From the Great Hurricane of 1780 to Hurricane Ernesto in 2024, Dominica has been struck by numerous storms, each leaving lasting impacts on communities, infrastructure, and the economy.

18th & 19th Century Hurricanes

• The Great Hurricane of 1780 – One of the deadliest hurricanes in history, causing massive destruction across the Caribbean, including Dominica.
• Hurricane San Vicente of 1806 – Resulted in 131 casualties, affecting communities and infrastructure.
• Hurricane of 1806 (Sept 20) – Struck again within 11 days, leading to 165 additional deaths.
• 1891 Martinique Hurricane – Also called Hurricane San Magín, it impacted Dominica and neighbouring islands.
• Hurricane of 1899 – The San Ciriaco hurricane caused extensive damage.

20th Century Hurricanes

• Hurricane of 1928 – Part of the Okeechobee hurricane, causing little damage to Dominica.
• Hurricane Inez 1966 – Compact Category 3 storm; destroyed 200 homes and northern agriculture.
• Hurricane David (1979) – Category 5 storm that left 60% of the population in a state of homelessness, killing 56 people.
• Hurricane Allen (1980) – Passed near Dominica, causing agricultural and infrastructural losses.
• Hurricane Hugo (1989) – Damaged homes, farmlands, and coastal areas.
• Hurricane Luis (1995) – Damaged crops, infrastructure, and coastal areas; disrupted Dominica’s economy.
• Hurricane Marilyn (1995) – Heavy rains and winds worsened damage from Luis, crippling recovery efforts.
• Hurricane Lenny (1999) – Unusually travelled west to east, bringing 30-40 ft sea surges.

21st Century Hurricanes

• Hurricane Dean (2007) – Affected banana plantations and homes, causing widespread economic losses.
• Hurricane Omar (2008) – Coastal destruction and significant fishing industry losses.
• Tropical Storm Erika (2015) – Triggered deadly landslides and flooding, displacing thousands.
• Hurricane Maria (2017) – Category 5 hurricane that destroyed 95% of homes, caused 31 deaths, and wiped out electricity for months.
• Hurricane Beryl (2018) – Brought heavy rains and wind, hampering Maria’s recovery efforts.
• Hurricane Tammy (2023) – Passed near Dominica, bringing strong winds and flash flooding.
• Hurricane Ernesto (2024) – 111 km/h winds mildly affected Calibishie and Portsmouth, affecting coastal areas.

Impact of Hurricanes on Dominica

The effects of these hurricanes have been devastating, with Dominica experiencing:

• Severe damage to homes and infrastructure, especially during Hurricane David and Maria.
• Economic collapse with damages exceeding 226% of GDP after Hurricane Maria.
• The destruction of the agricultural sector caused significant damage to the banana industry, citrus industry, and coconut industry.
• Loss of human lives, with Hurricane David and Maria being the deadliest storms.

Climate Resilience and Disaster Preparedness

In response to frequent hurricanes, Dominica has implemented a Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan (CRRP), including:

• Stronger building codes and hurricane-resistant housing.
• The Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) will support long-term rebuilding.
• Disaster preparedness initiatives under the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO).
• Sustainable agriculture and infrastructure to reduce storm vulnerability.

Dominica aims to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation with these efforts, ensuring future preparedness for extreme weather events.