The most powerful hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica tore across the island late last month, striking as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Oct. 28, leaving widespread destruction and claiming at least 67 lives across the Caribbean ? 32 in Jamaica, 34 in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.
The coastal community of Black River, south of Trelawny, suffered the heaviest blow as the storm’s epicenter, with an estimated 90% of its structures destroyed. More than 490,000 customers remain without power, representing about 72% of Jamaica’s electricity network. At the storm’s peak, roughly 13,000 residents sought shelter in 521 emergency facilities, though many have since returned home.
Climate researchers at Imperial College London determined that climate change made a storm of Melissa’s intensity four times more likely, while increasing wind speeds by 11% and rainfall by 16% compared with preindustrial conditions. The storm caused nearly $8 billion in damage in Jamaica alone, equivalent to about half of the country’s annual gross domestic product (GDP).
The Jamaican government will receive a full $150 million payout from a World Bank catastrophe bond issued in 2024, though officials say this represents only a fraction of the recovery costs needed. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said efforts are underway to restart the vital tourism sector, which accounts for 30% of Jamaica’s GDP and employs 20% of its workforce.
The government announced plans to fully reopen the tourism industry by Dec. 15, ahead of the critical festive season.
Evelyn Nam For The Teen Times teen/1763604983/1613367659
1. What factors contributed to Hurricane Melissa becoming the most powerful storm ever recorded in Jamaica?
2. Why is the $150 million catastrophe-bond payout considered insufficient for Jamaica’s recovery?
3. How are government ministries coordinating with international partners, financial institutions, and local communities to rebuild homes, revive the economy, and improve climate resilience for future storms?
4. What percentage of Jamaica’s electricity network was left without power after the storm?
1. Who do you think should be held most responsible for preparing Jamaica for extreme storms like Hurricane Melissa?
2. What role do you think climate change plays in disasters like this?
3. Where do you think reconstruction efforts should focus first?power infrastructure, housing, or coastal protection?
4. How do you feel about the fact that the catastrophe-bond payout covers only a fraction of the recovery costs?
The most powerful hurricane ever recorded in Jamaica tore across the island late last month, striking as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Oct. 28, leaving widespread destruction and claiming at least 67 lives across the Caribbean ? 32 in Jamaica, 34 in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.
