The Americas | Paradise lost

How Hurricane Irma will change the Caribbean

The region must adapt to climate change, not simply rebuild

FOR three days in early September Hurricane Irma ground through the eastern Caribbean like a bulldozer made out of wind and rain. Tropical breezes became 300kph (185mph) blasts, turning “tin roofs into flying razor blades”, as Maarten van Aalst of the Red Cross put it. Placid seas reared up in giant waves and rainwater coursed through streets. Even when the sun eventually came out the nightmare did not end. Shortages of food and water sparked looting on some islands. Survivors were grateful that fewer than 50 people, at last count, died in the Caribbean, but Irma’s fury left thousands homeless in the 13 island countries and territories in its path, including Cuba. Entire settlements were wiped off the map.

Most islanders want above all to return to normal life as fast as possible, which for many means reopening the hotels, bars, restaurants, surfing schools and the like that are the region’s economic lifeblood. Authorities on St Barthélemy, a territory that belongs to France, talk of reopening in time to catch part of peak tourist season, which starts in December.

This article appeared in the The Americas section of the print edition under the headline "Paradise lost"

Closing in on cancer

From the September 16th 2017 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from The Americas

Why Ecuador risked global condemnation to storm Mexico’s embassy

Jorge Glas, who had claimed asylum from Mexico, is accused of abetting drug networks

The world’s insatiable appetite for Canada’s maple syrup

Production is booming, but climate change is making output more erratic


Elon Musk is feuding with Brazil’s powerful Supreme Court

The court has become the de facto regulator of social media in the country