Hurricane Melissa caused nearly $9 billion in damage in Jamaica, making it the costliest storm ever to hit the island nation, according to newly released figures.

The preliminary estimate was released Wednesday as part of an assessment by the World Bank, in coordination with the Inter-American Development Bank. The storm’s $8.8 billion in physical damage is equivalent to 41% of the country’s 2024 gross domestic product, they said.

The Global Rapid Damage Estimation was conducted immediately after the Category 5 hurricane battered Jamaica while dumping deadly rains and wind on neighboring Haiti.

The United Nations said the storm killed at least 45 people in Jamaica, with 15 missing, while almost 1.6 million people were affected. In Haiti, the death toll was at least 43 dead and seven missing, the country’s Office of Civil Protection said, even though there wasn’t a direct hit.

To assess Melissa’s physical impact in Jamaica, analysts looked at damage to residential and nonresidential infrastructure, and agricultural sectors. The assessment does not include broader economic losses, which are expected to be even more significant, the report said.

According to the preliminary findings, 41% of the assessed damage was to residential buildings, 33% to infrastructure, 21% to nonresidential buildings and 5% to the agriculture sector, including livestock and related infrastructure.

While physical damage to agriculture is comparatively lower, the sector is expected to face significant economic losses.

Jason Henzell, the owner of Jakes hotel in Treasure Beach, has been helping local farmers and fishermen get back on their feet by providing equipment and offering gift certificates through his hotel. With plans to welcome back his first guest on Thursday, he said he believes the country will rebound.

Considering the financial crisis that Jamaica found itself in over a decade ago before the International Monetary Fund and World Bank stepped in, Henzell said of the damage estimates: “Thank God, we’ve been financially responsible.”

“We’ve kind of somewhat been the poster boy of the World Bank and the IMF in the last 10 years,” he said, referring to the country’s economic turnaround before Melissa.

Hurricane Melissa came ashore in southwest Jamaica on Oct. 28 as a Category 5 hurricane. Its 185-mile-per-hour winds made it the strongest storm to make a direct hit on the country, which was still recovering from last year’s hurricane season. The storm also severely damaged Cuba and southern Haiti.

The U.N. said this week that nearly 477,000 children are experiencing significant disruptions to their schooling in the three countries as a result of storm damage.

“Children have been forced to miss classes or study in temporary spaces that may not be equipped for proper learning,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. “In response, UNICEF is working with local governments and partners to deliver supplies and trying to rehabilitate damaged schools."

In Jamaica, the agency has provided teaching and learning materials along with up to 100 temporary learning spaces to support 10,000 children.

Both the Bank and Inter-American Development Bank, or IDB, said they are ready to help Jamaica rebuild.

“The scale of damage caused by Hurricane Melissa demands a fast, coordinated, and evidence-based response,” said Anabel González, IDB vice president for countries and regional integration. “The IDB is fully committed to supporting the Government of Jamaica, beginning with a clear understanding of Hurricane Melissa’s impact, as the country moves from emergency response to reconstruction. Together with our partners, we will help Jamaica rebuild stronger, safer, and more resilient.”

Susana Cordeiro Guerra, World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, said they “are ready to mobilize our full range of support in collaboration with other international development partners to help deliver a resilient and inclusive recovery.”

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