Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica: loss estimate

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 300 km/h, struck Jamaica on 28 October 2025.

As it swept across the island, it caused widespread devastation, destroying infrastructure, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees, and triggering torrential rainfall and severe flooding.

It was the most powerful hurricane to impact the country since the beginning of meteorological records.

After being downgraded to a Category 4 storm, Melissa continued toward Cuba on the evening of 28 October, prompting the evacuation of 735 000 people.

Preliminary assessments indicate that the hurricane claimed 60 lives over its week-long passage through several Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

According to initial estimates from broker BMS, economic and insured losses in Jamaica could amount to between 30% and 250% of the country’s GDP.

The meteorological service AccuWeather, meanwhile, estimates total economic damage at between 48 and 52 billion USD.

Verisk’s projections suggest that Hurricane Melissa could generate losses ranging from 2.2 to 4.2 billion USD.

Under the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility’s (CCRIF) parametric insurance program, the Jamaican government is expected to receive a payout of 70.8 million USD.