INSTRUCTIONS FOR GROUP WORK – Groups of 6 students per group

Divide members of the group, into 4 task areas.

Task 1 - Read the case study of the impact of Hurricane Ivan in Grenada and list the impacts in point
form. (2 students)

TASK 2 – Analyze photographs to identify in point form impacts of hurricane Ivan in Grenada. (2
students)

TASK 3 - One student will record points.

TASK 4 - One student or students will present points during class discussion.
CASE STUDY: HURRICANE IVAN IN THE CARIBBEAN

GROUPS 1 & 2

On September 7th 2004 Hurricane Ivan – a Category 3 hurricane, swept across the Caribbean island of
Grenada with maximum sustained winds reaching a high of over 115mph.

The tourism sector, one of the main contributors of foreign exchange to the Grenadian economy,
suffered major direct and indirect losses as a result of the hurricane, direct losses to tourist
accommodation alone amounted to EC$167 Million with close to 90% of all tourist accommodation
being affected by the hurricane. Facilities such as historical sites, mariners, and other tourism
infrastructure were also totally destroyed or damaged.

Agricultural production in Grenada contributes to the country’s economy through foreign exchange
earnings, providing employment and contributing to food security. The main crops cultivated are spices,
cocoa, bananas. Also known as the ‘Spice Isle’, Grenada is one of the foremost suppliers of nutmeg in
the world. Losses due to the hurricane were experienced throughout the agriculture sector with
extensive damages to crops, livestock, fisheries, equipment, agricultural infrastructure, as well as the
resultant loss of livelihood by those employed in the sector.

The banana industry was completely demolished with 100% of cultivated bananas. Heavy winds also
affected banana plantations in Cuba. The nutmeg industry in Grenada was almost completely
decimated by Hurricane Ivan, which uprooted nutmeg trees, snapped branches, and totally defoliated
many trees. The majority of cocoa plantations were completely destroyed.
GROUPS 1 & 2

Yachts parallel the shore after Ivan in Grenada

Banana plantations in Cuba and Grenada

GROUPS 3 & 4

IMPACT OF IVAN ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

In Cuba heavy torrential rainfall resulted in widespread flooding. Even though Ivan did not make landfall
on Cuban soil, its storm surge caused localized flooding on Santiago de Cuba and Granma, on the
southern part of the island. The storm produced waves of 15 feet (4.6 m), and Pinar del Río recorded
13.3 inches (340 mm) of rainfall.

There was widespread uprooting of trees watershed loss was extensive due to the large number of
fallen and damaged trees. Damage to the watershed increased leading to serious flooding and
mudslides.

Minor damage, including some beach erosion, was reported in the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and
Curacao).

In Jamaica Ivan caused severe damage, damaging and destroying houses, and triggering mudslides that
washed out roads. In Kingston, the winds downed trees and poles and caused flooding. In Montego Bay,
the Barnett River overflowed its banks.
GROUPS 3 & 4

PICTURE; September 11th, 2004; Kingston Jamaica

Devastation in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province after Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004. In response to the threat, the country evacuated
1.9 million people, over 15 days.
Group 5 & 6

IMPACT OF IVAN ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS

Post-disaster damage assessments estimate the damage to Grenada’s housing stock at 89%, with
approximately 30% of the nation’s housing being completely destroyed and requiring replacement.
Significant damage was also caused to government and commercial buildings; hospitals and health
related facilities; damage to roads and bridges were caused by the accompanying storm surge as a result
of the high winds.

Telecommunication and electricity services were disrupted due to downed utility poles and cellular
antennae. An estimated 80% of the national electricity distribution system was damaged Potable water
was affected by siltation and debris blockage in reservoirs and damage to distribution lines.

High winds associated with the hurricane caused extensive damage to the roofs and structures of
primary and secondary schools and other tertiary level institutions on the island; books, equipment and
school furnishings were also lost due to water damage and exposure to the elements.

Ivan did leave a heavy toll behind as 70 people throughout the Caribbean were killed by this storm.
GROUPS 5 & 6

Southern Grenada after Hurricane Ivan passed just to the south of the island.

Ivan in the streets of Jamaica

 IMPACT OF HURRICANES
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL
1. Pollution of water 1. Transport: roads blocked,
airport closed.
2. Flooding
2. Communication: landline
3. Trees uprooted – increased telephones and cell service
run-off down.
4. Soil erosion 3. Public buildings: national
stadium wrecked, schools
5. Landslides damaged.
6. Storm surge 4. Electricity disrupted,
5. Water from reservoirs
contaminated. Distribution lines
broken.
6. Houses destroyed – 90%.
People housed in shelters.
7. Lives lost as people are killed.
ECONOMIC
1. Agriculture:
 Nutmeg trees destroyed
 Banana and cocoa
plantations destroyed
 Food supply reduced
 Fisheries sector
 Livestock
 Infrastructural damage
2. GDP reduced: agriculture is an
important source of income
3. Employment: loss of jobs
4. Tourism; Hotels destroyed,
reduced tourist arrivals. EC$264
million.