2026 HURRICANE SEASON: DAMAGE AND RECOVERY UPDATES FOR THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
Could 2026 be the break in destructive storms that residents of the Gulf Coast, the East Coast and the Caribbean have been waiting for?
2025 certainly wasn’t that. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season was plenty destructive, with Category 5 storm Hurricane Melissa making landfall in Jamaica in late October 2025 and wreaking havoc across multiple Caribbean nations.
Many forecasters are saying El Niño conditions may reduce the number of 2026 hurricanes, but severity might be up. So watch out.
2026 Hurricane-Season Forecast
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season ... but “below normal” only refers to the number of hurricanes, not their severity.
Specifically, according to the major hurricane forecasters:
-
NOAA predicts eight to 14 named storms and three to six hurricanes, with one to three of those defined as major – i.e., a Category 3 or higher storm.
-
Colorado State University predicts 13 named storms and six hurricanes, two of them major.
-
AccuWeather predicts 11-16 named storms and between four and seven hurricanes, with two to four of them major.
Just for comparison, a “normal” Atlantic hurricane season (running June-November) has about 14 named storms and seven hurricanes, with three of them being major.
Why Fewer Hurricanes?
The main reason forecasters are expecting less activity is an intensifying El Niño pattern. We often hear about an El Niño, but what is it?
An El Niño pattern is the warming of surface water in the tropical Pacific. This warming weakens the westerly tradewinds and lets warm water drift back toward South America.
The warmer water rearranges upper-atmosphere wind and weather patterns, making it harder for hurricanes to develop. El Niño is a global thing, but its presence is most felt in the Caribbean and western Atlantic.
As always, a below-normal season doesn’t mean a risk-free season. It only takes one storm to cause significant damage.
We’ll be updating this as circumstances warrant. Always check with your travel professional for advice on specific Caribbean destinations.
Hurricane Damage and Recovery Travel Updates Island-by-Island
Anguilla
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
Anguilla was unaffected by hurricanes Beryl (2024) and Melissa (2025), and the country is at level-1 travel status (“Exercise Normal Precautions”), according to the State Department.
For the latest news on alerts and issues in Anguilla, visit the Ministry of Health & Social Development on Facebook.
Antigua/Barbuda
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
Antigua and Barbuda escaped significant impact from Beryl and Melissa and have fully recovered from 2018 hurricane damage.
The infrastructure is back and the islands are welcoming tourists, and the State Department has given the islands a level-1 rating.
You can get updates on the situation in the islands at Visit Antigua & Barbuda.
The Bahamas
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2025
Status: All clear
Hurricane Melissa skirted the southeastern Bahamas in late October 2025, causing some flight cancellations but no major structural damage.
The islands are currently at level-2 (”Exercise Increased Caution”) status, mainly due to crime.
For the latest developments, visit the State Department.
British Virgin Islands
Year hurricane damage sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
Properties and attractions on the islands are back to their pre-hurricane status, and the country maintains its level-1 status with the State Department.
Cayman Islands
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2025
Status: All clear
The Cayman Islands were placed on alert during Hurricane Melissa, but the storm didn’t make landfall and the islands were largely spared.
Tourist infrastructure is operational. Ask your travel professional about any lingering property-level issues.
For further updates, check with your travel professional or the Cayman Islands tourism site.
Dominica
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
Dominica’s neighborhoods felt the brunt of the 2018 storms, and were not significantly impacted by Beryl or Melissa.
The country is currently allowing travelers from the U.S. with no restrictions.
For more information, check out the updates provided by the Discover Dominica Authority.
Dominican Republic/Haiti
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2025
Status: Check with your travel expert
Hurricane Melissa caused significant rainfall and flooding in both countries, killing at least 43 in Haiti and four in the Dominican Republic, and displacing an estimated 90,000 people.
The Dominican Republic is recovering and working to restore tourism services. Consult the country’s tourism website for current conditions.
Haiti continues to face significant challenges from Melissa’s damage and from ongoing crime and instability.
As a result the State Department recommends that travelers not travel to Haiti because of crime and general lawlessness.
Grenada
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2024
Status: Largely recovered, with ongoing restoration on outer islands
The main island of Grenada proper has fully restored services and tourism infrastructure following Hurricane Beryl.
Infrastructure on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique was nearly destroyed in 2024. Most businesses and events are back to pre-hurricane status on these islands, though some infrastructure issues remain.
The Grenada Tourism Authority has updates.
Jamaica
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2025
Status: In recovery
On Oct. 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with 185-mph sustained winds, displacing 125,000 residents and causing up to $15 billion in damage.
Recovery has been quick and significant. Montego and Kingston’s airports have returned to full operations, and major airlines have resumed normal service.
Most resort properties in Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios are open, and remaining properties have varying timelines for reopening.
In January 2026, the U.S. State Department changed Jamaica’s travel advisory to Level 2, reflecting recovery progress.
You should check individual resort and hotel websites for their specific status before booking and visit the country’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management and the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica for updates.
Mexico/Yucatan
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2024
Status: All clear
Cancun and Tulum sustained minor damage (downed trees, brief power outages) from Beryl but were not impacted by 2025 storms. Tourist infrastructure is fully operational.
Your best source of information on conditions in Cancun is actually the Cancun airport.
Puerto Rico
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
Puerto Rico was not significantly impacted by Beryl or Melissa, and the island remains fully open for tourism.
For the most up-to-date information, visit Discover Puerto Rico.
St. Maarten/St. Martin
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
The island has recovered from the 2018 hurricanes, and both sides of the island are at level-1 status.
The State Department has the most recent information on travel to the island.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2024
Status: In recovery
St. Vincent took a direct hit from Beryl, but has largely recovered, with most properties and activities open and operating.
The southern Grenadines, particularly Union Island, Mayreau and Canouan, are in varying stages of recovery, though some tourist infrastructure is unrestored.
For more information, check the St. Vincent news page.
Turks and Caicos
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
The Turks and Caicos have fully recovered from the 2018 hurricanes.
The Visit Turks and Caicos Islands website has the latest details.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Year hurricane damage last sustained: 2018
Status: All clear
The U.S. Virgin Islands fully recovered from the 2018 storms and were not significantly impacted by Beryl or Melissa. It’s all systems go for USVI tourism.
For All Other Islands
All other Caribbean islands can be considered to be recovered from hurricanes.
For up-to-date information, check with the State Department, or consult your travel professional.
Travel safely!
Please visit our Disclaimer page for underwriter info. Policies have exclusions and limitations. For complete details of coverage, contact BHTP by calling 844-411-2487, or emailing us at assist@BHTP.com.
Questions About Travel Insurance?
Check out our online guide, "What Is Travel Insurance All About?" We've provided in-depth answers to all your travel insurance questions, starting with the basics.