Jamaica Reels from Hurricane Melissa's Devastating Impact

The death toll from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica has risen to 32, with eight more unconfirmed deaths. The Category 5 storm caused catastrophic damage to the island's western region, threatening the tourism season. Officials are scrambling to repair hotels and clear debris, with the goal of securing tourist dollars. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Jamaica's economy, and the disruption is expected to have a substantial impact on the island's economy and the livelihoods of those who depend on it. Despite the challenges, some tourism officials are optimistic that the sector will recover by December 15, the start of the peak tourism season.

The article discusses how Jamaica will receive a $150m payout from catastrophe bonds to aid in its recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the worst storm to ever hit the Caribbean island. Catastrophe bonds are debt instruments that pay out when a natural disaster occurs, spreading the cost between affected countries and investors. The payout will help Jamaica with relief efforts following the hurricane's landfall on October 28th, 2025.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness reported that Hurricane Melissa caused damage equivalent to 28-32% of the country's GDP, with at least 75 deaths across the Caribbean. The hurricane devastated Jamaica's agricultural heartlands and tourism corridor, with thousands of tourism workers losing their jobs. Holness pledged to rebuild infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change and sought financial support from regional allies and development agencies. The damage is expected to push up Jamaica's debt-to-GDP ratio, and the government plans to temporarily suspend fiscal rules. Experts warn that storms are intensifying due to greenhouse gas emissions, and Caribbean leaders are calling for reparations from wealthy nations.