Jamaica's heaviest rain does not always come with a named storm. A stationary low-pressure system can dump 200 mm in 24 hours over a single parish. The homes that come through it well are the ones whose drainage was checked before the rain started.
Gutters and downspouts
Clear all gutters of leaves and dirt at the start of May and again in late September. Walk the run with the hose on full and watch for overflow points — these are usually where the slope is wrong or the downspout is partially blocked.
Downspouts should discharge at least 1.5 metres from the foundation. Anything less, and you are sending water straight into the slab.
Site drainage
Walk the perimeter of the house in light rain and watch where the water actually goes. You are looking for pooling against the foundation, water running toward the house instead of away, and any low spots that are obviously holding water.
Simple regrading or a French drain along the high side is usually enough. For sloping lots, a properly engineered retaining wall with weep holes can save the foundation in a single bad storm.
Inside the house
- Check that windows close fully and weather-strip seals are intact.
- Move important documents and electronics off the floor.
- Test the sump pump if you have one — most failures are the float, not the pump itself.
- Make sure the main electrical panel is not in a flood-prone room.
Emergency kit
- Battery-powered radio and torches
- At least 3 days of drinking water per person
- Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
- First aid kit and any required medications
- Cash in small bills (POS machines fail when the network goes down)
- Phone chargers and a power bank
Final word
An hour of preventative work in May saves thousands in repair costs in October. If your home has had any flooding history at all, get a contractor to assess drainage before the wet season. BuildLink can match you with verified contractors who specialise in drainage and flood-proofing.
