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“The Economic Cost of A Hurricane: A Case Study of Puerto Rico and Hurricane Georges 1998 Using Synthetic Control Method”

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Albalate

    (Universitat de Barcelona, Departament d’Estadística, Econometria i Economia Aplicada, Avda. Diagonal 690, 08034 (Barcelona), Telf: +34.93.4031131)

  • Gabriel R. Padró-Rosario

    (Departament de Econometria, Estadística y Economia Aplicada, Universitat de Barcelona, John Maynard Keynes 1-11, 08034, Barcelona.)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long–term effect of a hurricane in the output of a country. The study estimates the effects of Hurricane Georges on Puerto Rico in 1998 using aggregated level data. To do so, this research uses a suitable method for comparative studies, the synthetic control method. Hurricane Georges caused an estimate of US$4.3 billion in direct damages. The results give validity to recent studies on natural disasters providing negative effects on growth. It was found that the Purchasing Power Parity over GDP could have been 9 percent higher by 2010 if the hurricane would have never affected Puerto Rico. Moreover, it shows that Puerto Rico’s economy has yet to recover after 12 years of the event. The case of Georges brings an insight into the long–term impacts of a natural disaster as a singular event. A difference in time and country is conducted as an alternative method with also negative effects on the dependable variable.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Albalate & Gabriel R. Padró-Rosario, 2018. "“The Economic Cost of A Hurricane: A Case Study of Puerto Rico and Hurricane Georges 1998 Using Synthetic Control Method”," IREA Working Papers 201827, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Nov 2018.
    • Handle: RePEc:ira:wpaper:201827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Synthetic Control Method; Hurricane Georges; Puerto Rico; Growth JEL classification:C20; O04; Q54;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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