Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica's financial regulator is investigating an insurance clause that reduces payouts to underinsured homeowners following Hurricane Melissa. The review focuses on the average clause used by insurers to cut compensation after the hurricane.

Jamaica secured a $200 million parametric hurricane bond in May 2025 through a World Bank-facilitated catastrophe bond, its largest to date. The previous bond paid out $150 million in full after Hurricane Melissa struck in October 2025 but did not pay out following Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Jamaica's tourism sector has transitioned from recovery to a growth phase, with over 1.5 million visitors generating $1.5 billion in foreign exchange from January to May 2026. Sandals is investing $200 million in the country, and Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett confirmed the sector's growth following Hurricane Melissa.

Jamaica’s economy shrank by 5.9% in Q1 2026 due to Hurricane Melissa, with damages, losses, and added costs reaching $12.2 billion—equivalent to 56.7% of the island’s 2024 output. Mining and agriculture sectors fell by 26.6% and 20.3%, respectively, while tourism lodging was also impacted.

Jamaica experienced a rare islandwide blackout overnight, affecting all 2.8 million residents. The Jamaica Public Service Company attributed the outage to lightning near substations and grid infrastructure. As of Saturday morning, power had been restored to 500,000 of 700,000 customers, with full restoration expected soon.

Food For The Poor has been preparing for the hurricane season since November by prepositioning emergency supplies in vulnerable regions across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization focuses on providing essential items like blankets, hygiene kits, and diapers to affected communities, with efforts led by Kivette Silvera and Kyle Morris.

Food For The Poor began hurricane season preparations in November by pre-positioning emergency supplies like wipes, gloves, blankets, and tarps in vulnerable regions across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization emphasizes the critical role of pre-planning to ensure immediate aid delivery during the first 24–72 hours after a storm, as highlighted by officials Kivette Silvera and Kyle Morris.

The hurricane season has begun with a below-average forecast, the first such projection in a decade. Hurricane Melissa is currently active over the Caribbean Sea near New Hope, Jamaica, as of 2025.

Local 10 is hosting a hurricane preparedness special covering the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, the use of artificial intelligence in forecasting, and a historical look at the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane. The broadcast features meteorologists Michael Lowry and Betty Davis, airing at 8 p.m. Sunday.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be below normal due to a strong El Niño, but experts warn of increased intensity risks from climate change. Historical data shows El Niño years can still produce devastating storms, such as Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Betsy (1965).

Sandals has reopened and expanded its resort operations in Jamaica following the impact of Hurricane Melissa. The article highlights a return to normalcy with the phrase 'lime time again on Jamrock,' signaling a recovery period for the tourism sector.