TEN days before the start of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Jamaica has strengthened its financial protection against major hurricanes by securing roughly $31 billion (US$200 million) in new coverage from global capital markets after Hurricane Melissa unleashed destruction equivalent to more than half of the country’s economic output last year.

The Government has secured US$200 million in new hurricane coverage, replacing a previous US$150-million catastrophe bond and highlighting the growing financial risks severe storms pose to the island’s economy and recovery efforts.

The World Bank said Monday that strong investor demand allowed the transaction to be expanded to US$200 million as Jamaica seeks greater protection against low-frequency but high-impact hurricanes ahead of what forecasters expect to be another active Atlantic season.