When it comes to hurricanes in Jamaica, we live with a different level of urgency. Gusts don’t come as abstract numbers in studies—they come. The question isn’t if but how strong, which angle, and how we build. As Jamaica Homes founder, I say: “A roof might seem like a simple thing—until the wind treats it like a board at sea. Then you’ll know.” This guide flips the usual U.S.-centric advice and rewrites it for our island context: normal pitched roof, matel/Decra-style large sheets that mimic tiles (common in Jamaica), points about roof staying on, windows, the “fiery ring” left or right of the storm’s path, and a frank disclaimer—do everything right and you might still lose your roof, because wind tunnels, topography and position matter.
“You can’t fight Mother Nature with hope alone—build the hope into the walls.” — Dean Jones
