Core Insights - Hurricane Melissa has set records as the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica and is tied for the most intense hurricane globally since recordkeeping began in 1851 [1][11] - Estimated industry insured losses from Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica are projected to range from USD 2.2 billion to USD 4.2 billion, primarily due to wind damage [1] Meteorological Overview - Hurricane Melissa formed on October 21 and underwent rapid intensification on October 25, reaching maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 892 mb before making landfall in Jamaica on October 28 [2] - After landfall, Melissa weakened to Category 4 strength and subsequently made landfall in eastern Cuba on October 29, further weakening to Category 1 [3] Damage Assessment - Significant damage was reported in St. Elizabeth parish, with 80-90% of roofs destroyed in some neighborhoods [5] - Both non-engineered residential buildings and engineered commercial buildings experienced similar levels of damage, with widespread impacts across various types of structures [6] - Major damage from wind, storm surge, and precipitation-induced flooding was also reported in Montego Bay and eastern Jamaica, including Kingston [7] Building Codes and Resilience - Jamaica's residential building inventory is predominantly masonry (70%), with informal construction practices leading to significant damage during a Category 5 hurricane [4] - The National Building Code, developed in 2003, includes wind design speed requirements, but enforcement has historically been weak; however, the 2019 Building Act aims to improve this [10] Insurance Landscape - Insurance take-up rates in Jamaica are low, with residential coverage below 20%, and many insured properties are underinsured [11] - Verisk's loss estimates do not account for various factors, including losses from uninsured properties and infrastructure [13]