Insured losses to onshore property in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa will likely range from US$2.2bn to US$4.2bn (£1.7bn to £1.8bn), according to estimates from data analytics and technology provider Verisk. The industry loss range includes estimated wind and precipitation-induced flood from Melissa’s track across Jamaica, with most of the modelled loss attributable to wind.

Melissa set the record as the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica and tied for the most intense hurricane landfall globally since record keeping began in 1851. It became a hurricane on October 21 before making landfall on October 28 near New Hope in Westmoreland Parish in Jamaica. It weakened before hitting Cuba and the Bahamas the following day.

The residential building inventory in Jamaica is primarily of masonry construction (almost 70%), while approximately 30% are wood framed buildings. Roofs are mostly low to pitched flat and the construction practices are informal with minimal to almost no professional input. Verisk says that under these circumstances, significant damage and, in a number of cases, near total destruction of buildings, is expected in the landfall area when a Category 5 hurricane brings 185 mph winds, such as those from Hurricane Melissa.

Many neighbourhoods in St. Elizabeth parish, where Melissa made landfall – including Black River, Barbary Hall and adjacent areas – reported 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 the capital, Kingston.

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