Verisk Estimates Insured Losses for Hurricane Melissa
Verisk estimates that insured losses for Hurricane Melissa will range from $2.2 billion to $4.2 billion.
Hurricane Melissa set a record as the most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica and tied for the most intense hurricane landfall globally since recordkeeping began in 1851.
The Extreme Event Solutions group at Verisk, a leading global data analytics and technology provider, made this estimation.
The 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.
Meteorological History of Melissa
Melissa became a hurricane on October 21 and underwent rapid intensification on October 25 due to exceptionally warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear.
Author summary: Verisk estimates Hurricane Melissa losses.
- Estimated insured losses: $2.2 billion to $4.2 billion
- Most intense hurricane to make landfall in Jamaica
- Tied for most intense hurricane landfall globally since 1851