Hurricanes in Punta Cana

[swyse]

I don't recall hurricanes hitting Punta Cana very often. I'm thinking on buying a rental property having it eventually be my winter home. Does anyone have any experiences with hurricanes there?

[johnsantodomingo]

Anywhere during the hurricane season a hurricane can hit. It is part of the charm of living in the Caribbean. It is a question of being prepared for it.

[PJT]

There have been about 12 major hurricanes that hit the island. Of those, Jeanne of Sept 2004, hit the Punta Cana area directly. The damage to my home of cinder block construction consisted of one broken window. Damage to the immediate area of the house consisted of fallen trees and utility poles; water related damage; and missing roofs of cane construction. The greater extent of damage was the washout of two bridges that connected this eastern province of La Altagracia from the rest of the island.

Houses here that are of cinder block and cement construction and will reasonably withstand hurricane winds; provided the windows are shuttered and there are storm doors. If the house is very near a beach than there is a possibility of water damage from elevated seas.

One has to be self-sufficient, not be dependent on outside resources, must be prepared to weather a storm here, and then subsequently be able to recover independently after the effects of a storm and assist those who cannot.

In order to place things in perspective, I have experienced more hurricanes and hurricane damage while living on the coast in New England than that of my better half's experience here as a Dominicana.

Regards,
PJT