Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across Jamaica, with the parish of St Elizabeth emerging as the hardest-hit region. According to a World Bank assessment, the total physical damage from the hurricane is estimated at a staggering US$8.85 billion, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s 2024 GDP. St Elizabeth, along with Westmoreland and St James, accounted for 63% of the total damage, amounting to US$5.5 billion. St Elizabeth alone suffered US$2.29 billion in damages, including US$997.2 million in residential damage, US$389.5 million in non-residential damage, US$763.6 million in infrastructure damage, and US$135.7 million in agricultural losses. St James followed with US$1.82 billion in damages, while Westmoreland recorded US$1.41 billion. The hurricane’s impact extended beyond physical damage, with economic losses from disrupted tourism and sales expected to surpass the physical toll. Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank’s Caribbean Country Director, emphasized the need for a coordinated, long-term recovery strategy involving local institutions, the private sector, and communities. The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank are supporting Jamaica through financing and technical assistance, including the GRADE methodology, which provides rapid post-disaster damage assessments. Burunciuc highlighted the opportunity to rebuild a more resilient Jamaica, stressing that every dollar spent on reconstruction could yield six dollars in benefits.