In August 1891, Martinique faced a devastating hurricane that wreaked havoc across the island. The hurricane approached with minimal warning, leading to disastrous consequences for its inhabitants who were largely unprepared for such a powerful storm. The winds of the hurricane reached over 100 miles per hour, uprooting trees, demolishing homes, and sweeping away infrastructure. Torrential rain accompanied the hurricane, resulting in severe flooding that compounded the destruction. The communities most affected included Fort-de-France, where major destruction occurred, leaving thousands homeless and in dire need of aid.

In the aftermath, rescue operations were plagued with difficulties as roads were unusable and communication lines were down. Survivors faced a desperate situation; they needed food, clean water, and medical assistance amid the ruins of their daily lives. Local aid organizations and colonial authorities mobilized to provide relief, though resources were scarce and logistics complicated. The event highlighted the vulnerability of Caribbean islands to natural disasters and the inadequacies of colonial infrastructures to effectively manage and respond to such crises.

Following the devastation, discussions began regarding the establishment of better early warning systems and improved building regulations to mitigate future losses in similar disasters. The harsh reality of the destruction instigated a shift in how hurricanes would be treated in Jamaican social and political discussions, aiming to foster resilience and improve community preparedness for eventual natural events. This hurricane served as a pivotal point that would influence Caribbean policies towards disaster management thereafter.