Hurricanes and the Making of Caribbean History
The 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane1899 San Ciriaco hurricane hit Puerto Rico, whose economy relied on coffee. The crop had already been facing problems with a decrease in prices and competing countries, but the hurricane wiped out any chance of rebounding from the losses of the previous years. The winds stripped the berries from the trees and the coffee exports of 1899 were only 10 percent of the average export. The losses amounted to 12 million dollars in revenue from 1899 to 1901. This left a dismal outlook on the future for farmers. Sugar was also affected by the storm, although the results were not as drastic. Only a third of the sugar crop could be harvested in 1899, but the soil was reinvigorated. The storm only affected the older haciendas, which would have been retired soon regardless of the hurricane. This allowed for newer technologies to be introduced to the sugar system and U.S. involvement increased. Overall, San Ciriaco helped and hurt the agriculture of Puerto Rico.
Hurricane Sergio (2018)
On October 10, Sergio's approach warranted the issuance of tropical storm watches and warnings along the western and eastern coasts of Baja California. Sergio made landfall in western Baja California Sur and Sonora on October 13 as a weak tropical storm, causing over $2 million (USD) in damages, over a thousand school closures, and a few hundred evacuations due to severe flooding. The remnants of Sergio also brought heavy rainfall to Arizona, resulting in the closure of its state fair. Throughout Mexico and Arizona, no injuries or deaths were reported. Heavy rainfall also occurred in Texas, resulting in about $400 million (USD) in damage and two deaths. Multiple tornadoes also spawned as a result of the increased moisture.