The Extreme Event Solutions group at Verisk estimates industry insured losses to onshore property in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa will likely range from $2.2 billion to $4.2 billion. The industry loss range includes estimated wind and precipitation-induced flood from Melissa’s track across Jamaica, with most of the modeled loss attributable to wind.
Hurricane Melissa is the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica and tied for the most intense hurricane landfall globally since recordkeeping began in 1851.
Many neighborhoods in St. Elizabeth parish, where Melissa made landfall, including Black River, Barbary Hall and adjacent areas are reporting significant damage with 80-90% and in certain cases 100% of roofs destroyed.
Major damage from wind, storm surge and precipitation-induced flooding was also reported in northwest Jamaica in Montego Bay. This area is a popular tourist location and includes resorts which sustained major damage following the storm. While wind played a major role in influencing damage in Western Jamaica, many reports of flooding were reported in eastern Jamaica as far east as Kingston which is the capital and the population center on the island.