Hurricane Watch: Battening Down the Effects of the Storm on Local Crop Production

This study utilizes a panel fixed effects model to explore the economic impact of hurricanes on local crop production in Jamaica using quarterly 1999-2008 micro level data. We find, in general, that hurricanes will have a negative impact on production but not for crops grown below ground. The exceptions for underground crops being negatively affected are yams and potatoes for which water saturated soil reduces output. From these results, implications are obtained regarding issues such as food security, export expansion, and earnings.