According to estimates from the World Bank Group, in coordination with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the physical damage to Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa totals US$8.8 billion, which is equivalent to 41% percent of the country’s 2024 GDP, making it the costliest hurricane recorded in Jamaica’s history.
This information value is significant enough that people check prediction markets for real-time updates on events; some (e.g. The Base Rate Times, Polymarket, Kalshi) are building out media coverage and newsletters based on this data.