State of the World from NPR Rebuilding Smarter in Jamaica
Dec 1, 2025
Eder Peralta, an NPR field reporter, shares gripping firsthand accounts of Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica. He highlights the storm's intense impact, made worse by climate change. Residents discuss their fears and the imperative to rebuild smarter. Featuring insights from local officials, the conversation dives into building codes, financial barriers, and the necessity for stronger structures. The podcast also emphasizes calls for global responsibility, urging industrial nations to assist Jamaica in climate adaptation efforts.
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Home Reduced To A Stoop
- Stefan Clark shows his home reduced to a concrete stoop after the Category 5 storm destroyed wooden houses.
- The community's wooden 'board' houses were swept away because residents rented and couldn't afford concrete construction.
Cutting Corners Undermines Resilience
- Leonard Francis says resilience measures exist but Jamaicans often cut corners when building to code.
- Small omissions, like fewer hurricane straps, materially reduce a home's ability to survive extreme winds.
Build To Code With Concrete Roofs
- Build with concrete roofs and follow modelled foundation heights to withstand Category 5 winds and storm surge.
- Use existing technology and NEPA guidance to design homes that survive violent storms.