By Jamaica Homes News Desk
Kingston, Jamaica | November 2025
As dawn broke after the passing of Hurricane Melissa, roofs lay scattered like confetti across several parishes. Concrete walls stood bruised but upright, while once-proud zinc and tile roofs were peeled back by winds that screamed at more than 175 mph. Melissa was no ordinary storm—it was a wake-up call.
For many Jamaicans, the question is no longer if we’ll face another hurricane of this magnitude, but how we build to face it better next time.
“A roof might seem like a simple thing—until the wind treats it like a board at sea. Then you’ll know,”
— Dean Jones, founder of Jamaica Homes and Realtor Associate.
Hurricane Melissa Exposes the Cracks
Melissa’s ferocity cut across the island, flattening communities from St Elizabeth to St Thomas, and leaving a sobering reminder of how vulnerable our housing stock remains. Many homeowners, despite preparing days in advance, watched in disbelief as roofs lifted, windows shattered, and walls bowed.
Jamaica Homes founder Dean Jones, who has long advocated for hurricane-resilient construction practices tailored to local conditions, says the problem often lies in how we adapt imported building advice to our own realities.
“You can’t fight Mother Nature with hope alone—build the hope into the walls,” he noted.
When the Wind Comes from Every Side
Jones explains that understanding how a hurricane passes over a property is critical. The front wall brings the first violent impact—winds ripping at eaves and gutters, debris flying like bullets. Then comes the eerie calm of the eye, often mistaken for safety. But the danger is just catching its breath.
When the back wall arrives, especially for those on the right side of the storm’s path—the “fiery ring” or “dirty side”, wind speeds climb again, reversing direction and often finishing what the front started. Homes in hilly areas or near valleys, where wind tunnels form, suffer the most.
“Each phase is like a test,” Jones says. “The front loosens things. The back wall finishes them.”
Why Roofs Fail—and What Can Be Done
Melissa exposed the weak points Jamaicans have long whispered about: oversized eaves, under-secured roof sheets, and lack of proper hurricane straps.
Most residential roofs use Decra-style metal sheets—attractive and lightweight, but prone to peeling off if not properly anchored to the roof deck. The uplift effect—wind getting under the eaves—can turn these sheets into airborne weapons.
Jones, however, notes that reinforced concrete roofs remain the island’s golden standard.
“Concrete stands out as the best material for building hurricane-proof houses in Jamaica,” he says, “but the trade-off lies in the higher cost, increased heat retention—and the additional dead weight they carry, which can become a concern during an earthquake.”
Still, he believes better roofing design and consistent use of hurricane straps—tying roof, wall, and foundation into a single load path—would save thousands of homes in future storms.
The Weakest Links: Windows and Doors
In Hurricane Melissa, many homes didn’t fail because their roofs lifted, but because windows blew out. Once that happens, internal pressure skyrockets, effectively helping the wind lift the roof from inside.
Jones recommends that homeowners consider impact-resistant glass or hurricane shutters made of steel or aluminium—fitted before the season begins.
“Never open windows to ‘equalize pressure’,” he cautions. “That old myth has destroyed many roofs.”
And what about steel sheets over windows? “They can work,” he says, “but if they’re not secured right, they’ll fly off and become just another projectile.”
Concrete Roofs: Strong but Not Perfect
Flat reinforced concrete slabs fared better during Melissa. Their mass and rigidity resist uplift and debris impact. Yet, they’re not without issues. Poor drainage or cracks can lead to leaks and structural fatigue.
Jones suggests pairing concrete roofs with proper waterproofing, drainage channels, and insulation to counter heat buildup.
Still, he cautions homeowners not to think of concrete as invincible:
“A strong roof isn’t just nailed down—it’s a declaration to the wind: you may visit, but you shall not stay.”
Beyond the Building: The Land Itself
Even the best-built home is at risk if it’s positioned in a wind tunnel or unshaded open lot. In Melissa’s path, homes perched proudly on hilltops or coastal ridges took the hardest beating.
Jones says Jamaicans need to think more seriously about site selection and design orientation:
- Avoid long, flat faces directly facing the prevailing wind.
- Choose locations shielded by vegetation or natural contours.
- Elevate or build inland where possible to mitigate storm surge.
“All the engineering in the world meets a stiff test,” he says, “if your house sits in the wrong place.”
How to Hurricane-Proof a Jamaican Home: A Practical Checklist
Jones outlines a ten-step survival guide for homeowners looking to retrofit or rebuild after Melissa:
- Inspect roof fastenings and replace rusted screws.
- Strengthen truss-to-wall connections with hurricane clips.
- Shorten or reinforce eaves to reduce uplift.
- Remove weak gutters or ensure they’re anchored properly.
- Seal roof penetrations (vents, skylights) to prevent water ingress.
- Brace long spans or valleys with extra supports.
- Anchor windows and doors with steel frames or shutters.
- Replace loose or cracked tiles before hurricane season.
- Clear surroundings of loose objects that could become missiles.
- Assess your home’s exposure to wind tunnels or steep slopes.
Even with these precautions, he warns:
“You can do everything and still lose a roof, or the entire house, because the building is within a wind tunnel. Or wrongly positioned. Or not shaded. On its own, anything is possible.”
The Hard Truth About Categories
Melissa was a Category 5 hurricane, with winds exceeding 175 mph. Jones breaks down what homeowners can expect in lesser storms:
- Category 3 (111–129 mph) – Roof sheets start lifting, windows fail.
- Category 4 (130–156 mph) – Structural damage likely; debris deadly.
- Category 5 (157 mph+) – Catastrophic loss; even concrete structures may suffer.
“When you’re designing for 180 mph,” he says, “you’re building for the worst of the worst—and still hoping for mercy.”
Resilience Is the Real Goal
For Jones, the lesson from Melissa is not about fear—it’s about readiness.
“Resilience isn’t the promise of zero damage—it’s the readiness to stand up when the wind has blown you down.”
He believes resilience begins not at the hardware store, but in the mindset of homeowners, builders, and policymakers. The government’s building codes, he adds, must be strictly enforced and locally adapted to account for Jamaica’s terrain and climate.
Building for Tomorrow
As communities across Jamaica clear debris and rebuild, the conversation must shift from recovery to resilience.
Jones puts it best:
“Build with your mind in the storm, so that when the storm comes, you’re busy living—not fixing.”
His message resonates in an island that has learned, time and again, that preparation is everything. Whether you’re pouring concrete or fastening roof sheets, the goal is simple: stand firm, live smart, and build stronger.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It reflects insights, research, and professional opinions relevant to the Jamaican context at the time of writing. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, Dean Jones and Jamaica Homes make no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of any information, product, or service mentioned herein. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult qualified engineers, architects, or licensed contractors before making structural modifications or construction decisions. Building standards, materials, and environmental conditions can vary significantly by location, and what may be effective for one property may not be suitable for another.
Dean Jones and Jamaica Homes shall not be held liable for any loss, injury, or damage—whether direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential—that may arise from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication.