Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness says Hurricane Melissa is estimated to cost between US$6 billion and US$7 billion in damage across Jamaica.

This is based on preliminary figures.

Dr Holness made the disclosure in Parliament on Tuesday, November 4.

Holness stated that the estimated cost is equivalent to about 28 to 32 per cent of last year’s gross domestic product (GDP).

He said he believes the damage estimate is conservative and a more accurate figure is expected by next week.

Holness added that an 8 to 13 per cent decline in GDP is expected as a result of the devastation caused by the Category 5 storm that devastated the western section of the island on Tuesday, October 28 and took the lives of a confirmed 19 persons so far.