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Hurricane Melissa ravaged Jamaica, flattening fields and homes and washing away roads, yet the country is poised to cushion the financial blow. Officials say a multilayered disaster plan, including cash reserves, a regional insurance pool, preapproved loans, and a $150 million catastrophe bond, could provide about $820 million this year. The bond, which did not trigger for Hurricane Beryl, may be activated by Melissa. Still, projected losses of $2 billion to $8 billion could outstrip the system, built to fund urgent repairs and get the economy back on its feet, not full reconstruction.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.