Verisk’s Extreme Event Solutions division estimates that insured industry losses to onshore property in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa will likely range between $2.2 billion and $4.2 billion.Verisk offered meteorological insights regarding the event, noting that Melissa became a hurricane on October 21.The storm then underwent rapid intensification on October 25, which was primarily driven by exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear.After turning north-northeast, Melissa strengthened further, and managed to reach maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 mb as it began its final approach towards Jamaica on October 28.

Melissa made landfall at peak intensity close to New Hope in Westmoreland Parish, subsequently weakening as it traversed Jamaica’s mountainous landscape before re-emerging off the north coast as a Category 4 hurricane.“Melissa set several records over its lifecycle.It was the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica since recordkeeping began and was tied for the most intense hurricane landfall globally since record keeping began by minimum central pressure (along with the 1935 “Labor Day” hurricane) and by maximum wind speed (with the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane and 2019 Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas),” Verisk explained.

“It was also the most intense storm of 2025 and is third only behind 2005 Hurricane Wilma and 1988 Hurricane Gilbert for lowest minimum central pressure in an Atlantic hurricane.” “Significant uncertainty exists in the insurance take-up rates in Jamaica.The residential take-up rates in the country are less than 20% and a significant portion of these insured properties are underinsured.A significant portion of commercial and automobile lines are also uninsured,” Verisk added.

It’s important to note that Verisk’s 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.However, the organisation’s loss estimates do not include: Verisk’s range aligns with broker Aon, with the potential to rise further as additional damage assessments are completed.– .

– .– .– .

– .– .–  – .

All of our Artemis Live insurance-linked securities (ILS), catastrophe bonds and reinsurance can be accessed online.Our can be subscribed to using the typical podcast services providers, including Apple, Google, Spotify and more.