Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico: assessing effects and adaptive responses in agriculture and forestry
| Authors: | Nora Alvarez-Berrios, Kathleen McGinley, Paloma S. Rodríguez-Serrano, Luis Alexis Rodríguez-Cruz, William A. Gould |
| Year: | 2026 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | International Institute of Tropical Forestry |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1682446 |
| Source: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
Abstract
Hurricanes pose risks for agriculture and forestry in regions where successive storms contribute to cumulative effects that hinder recovery and reduce adaptive capacity. Hurricanes also provide learning opportunities, and successive hurricanes provide opportunity to evaluate whether lessons have been applied and if they reduce the negative effects or improve recovery times. In Puerto Rico, hurricane Fiona made landfall on September 18, 2022, while many communities and landscapes were still facing the longstanding impacts of hurricanes Irma and María, major hurricanes of 2017. This study examines the challenges hurricane Fiona posed to the agriculture and forestry sectors in Puerto Rico, drawing on the perspectives of advisors and professionals who support landowners in disaster preparedness and recovery. Through a multi-methods survey ( n = 54), we examine: (1) hurricane effects and associated impacts across sectors, (2) barriers to response and recovery, (3) lessons applied from past events, (4) changes in response strategies over time, and (5) differences in perceived institutional capacity by organizational affiliation. Results indicate that many agricultural producers and advisors implemented adaptations based on prior experiences, with notable success. However, preparedness and recovery actions specific to forestry were rarely adopted, revealing a critical gap in disaster readiness and response. While the majority of the respondents viewed the hurricane Fiona response as adequate, some expressed concerns, citing persistent challenges in coordination across government levels. Improvements were noted in communication and non-governmental organization (NGO) engagement since 2017, and many advisors felt their agencies were increasingly equipped to support climate adaptation, with inter-agency collaboration and internal coordination emerging as essential elements. These findings underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities in disaster response systems and offer insights for strengthening hurricane resilience in Puerto Rico and other hurricane-prone regions.