Total insured losses from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica could range between US$3 billion and US$5 billion, according to estimates by Moody's RMS Event Response. The estimates also incorporate post-event loss amplification factors and other non-modeled sources. Total economic losses could exceed Jamaica's GDP, estimated at around US$20 billion in 2024, while damage to other Caribbean islands—such as The Bahamas, Haiti, Turks and Caicos—would be minimal. Moody's RMS noted that most insured buildings in Jamaica have resilient structures, unlike uninsured homes, which often have less rigorous construction standards. "For these reasons, we expect recovery efforts to take several months, if not years," said Jeff Waters, Director of North Atlantic Hurricane Models at Moody's. Moody's RMS detailed that its estimate includes insured losses from property damage and business interruption in the residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive sectors, with predominant wind impacts and minor contributions from flooding and storm surge. The island was the hardest hit by this Category 5 hurricane, considered one of the most severe weather events the country has faced in decades. "Hurricane Melissa was truly a generational event for Jamaica and will be the storm that defined the 2025 North Atlantic hurricane season... repairs and recovery will inevitably face significant challenges in the supply chain, even as several of the island's key ports remain operational."
