Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on 28 October 2025, leaving a trail of destruction that hit the island’s economy and communities hard. Tourism — the lifeblood of Jamaica’s foreign earnings — came to a standstill as airports closed and hotels along the south-west coast suffered major damage. Agriculture, particularly in St Elizabeth, the island’s “breadbasket,” was devastated, with flooded fields, destroyed infrastructure and lost crops threatening food supplies and livelihoods. Power outages affected more than half a million households and businesses, while blocked roads and damaged communication networks slowed relief efforts and disrupted daily life.

The economic impact is both immediate and far-reaching. Jamaica faces a double blow: production halted across key sectors and consumer demand weakened by widespread disruption. Inflationary pressures may rise as food imports increase and fiscal demands grow. Yet amid the devastation lies a call to rebuild stronger — to invest in resilient infrastructure, diversify agriculture and design a tourism model that can better withstand future shocks. Jamaica’s recovery, though costly, will test the nation’s unity, innovation and enduring spirit of resilience.