Evaluating the Impacts of Hurricane Maria on the Construction Industry in Puerto Rico and the Effectiveness of Reconstruction Efforts

Tim Barrett, Brad Wells, Clifton Farnsworth Ph.D., Evan Bingham, and James Smith, Ph.D.
Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah

In September 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by two category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria. Considered as the worst natural disaster on record to affect Puerto Rico (and one of the most damaging ever within the US or its territories), the storm caused an estimated excess of $90 billion (USD) in total damages. High winds and flooding caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, commercial and industrial structures. A major humanitarian movement was set in motion because of the intense damage and slow relief process. Following Hurricane Maria, several significant inefficiencies and challenges were reported during the initial rebuilding efforts in Puerto Rico. The purpose of this research has been to investigate the direct effects of Hurricane Maria on the construction industry in Puerto Rico, especially during the initial first year of reconstruction. The hopes are to learn and discern how to better prioritize and manage the reconstruction efforts following future events. The research will potentially help decrease the extensive time delays in the reconstruction process and minimize the reoccurring extensive damages caused after each disaster.

This research will address the following two basic questions: 1) How has the construction industry been affected by the reconstruction efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria? 2) What are the strategies and processes used by the construction industry that have been effective and/or ineffective in rebuilding Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria?

The principal approach for gathering data for this research occurred using a qualitative research approach. Interviews followed a semi-structured interviewing process, meaning that a baseline set of questions was used for all interviews, but maintained the flexibility to adjust the interview questions depending upon the flow of each interview. Interviews occurred on-site (in Puerto Rico) during July 2018, approximately one year following the hurricanes. The interviewees were composed of industry professionals, government officials, political leaders, and property owners affected by the hurricane and involved in the reconstruction process.

One of the major assumptions typically made in post-disaster environments is that the construction industry simply jumps in and begins rebuilding. However, there are many factors often taken for granted that affect the ability of the construction industry to effectively put the pieces back together. Our initial research efforts indicated a gap with regard to understanding the impacts that post-disaster reconstruction efforts have on the construction industry, and ultimately the ability to increase the effectiveness of the critical role the construction industry plays in these rebuilding efforts. This research is unique in that it specifically targeted the construction industry’s experiences. Challenges encountered include labor and resource shortages, payment structures (including disaster relief and insurance funding), general day-to-day business practices, the need for fast-paced and other innovative contracting methods, rapid design, and other similar challenges. Additionally, there has been tremendous potential for low quality of construction and lack of building code enforcement, which in turn leads to further negative consequences.

Disaster reconstruction is a fairly sensitive topic. In general, disaster rebuilding efforts are in essence trying to put back the pieces of an uprooted and displaced community. Because people are so greatly affected first by the disaster, and then in turn by the rebuilding, helping people return their lives back to normal is paramount. Further, any inefficiencies in reconstruction efforts tend to be heavily scrutinized. The results of this research should directly affect the ability of decision makers to more effectively and systematically prioritize reconstruction efforts, and the construction industry to contribute to the essential rebuilding processes with greater efficiency and sound strategic direction.

Keywords: Disaster reconstruction, Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico