Kingston, Jamaica — 24 February 2026
Jamaicans understand recovery in practical terms. It is the sound of hammers after the winds pass, the blue tarpaulin giving way to permanent roofing, the slow return of electricity and running water. Against that backdrop, the central bank says economic activity could return to “full” recovery from Hurricane Melissa within two to three years — a faster timeline than earlier estimates. But for housing, construction and long-term property security, the true outcome will depend less on the forecast and more on whether the island rebuilds in a way that reduces exposure before the next major weather event.
What the central bank is signalling — and why it matters for property
At a quarterly monetary policy briefing, the central bank indicated that the recovery path now looks quicker than first expected after Melissa crossed Jamaica on 28 October 2025 as a Category 5 hurricane, with the west still facing heavy disruption.
The bank also pointed to a weaker ex…
