Every year, scientists report on record-breaking warming. Looking at the devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa, one wonders whether the weather has reached a tipping point. The devastation left behind, the lives and livelihoods taken is truly heartbreaking.

Hurricane Melissa may very well have signalled a call to action for serious reassessment.

It has been long noted that the smallest contributors to global warming are set to pay the highest price. The magnitude of Hurricane Melissa stems from unusually warm water and atmospheric temperatures within the region — global warming is widely reported as the driver behind the scale and probability of such a storm.

A Category 5 hurricane is considered extraordinary. Bermuda has been proud of its international reputation to quickly bounce back from the effects of hurricanes, attributed to our stone structures, preparations and resilience. However, maybe we have also benefited from a measure of good fortune, as it now appears that the scale of storms that we need to prepare for has shifted.

Most of us can still remember Hurricane Fabian on September 5, 2003 as perhaps the most frightening. At the time, Fabian was a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120mph and gusts above 150mph, intermittently moving it into Category 4 territory.

Fabian caused $300 million in damage, but most devastating was the four lives lost when storm surge washed out part of the Causeway. While Hurricane Fabian is remembered as one of Bermuda’s most terrifying storms, the size, scale and speed do not compare to Jamaica’s recent experience.

Hurricane Melissa was a unique system that left meteorologists stunned and worried. Before reaching Jamaica, the system meandered at very low speed — reportedly slower than the average person’s walking pace — drawing energy from the Caribbean’s warm waters, while building strength for four days.

When Hurricane Melissa roared into Jamaica, it was a Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 185mph, causing billions of dollars in damage and a death toll that continues to climb. Melissa also devastated parts of Haiti and Cuba, while still having the energy to affect islands of the Bahamas and Bermuda before dissipating.

The meteorological conditions experienced in Jamaica triggered the immediate payment of a $150 million catastrophe bond, but this is a far cry from what will be needed to rebuild. Damage continues to be assessed, but estimates so far are between $2 billion and $4 billion. Additionally, fewer than 20 per cent of homes are insured, so for many people building back will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. It is believed that recovery will take decades.

In Bermuda, watching what has happened over the past few weeks begs the question: how prepared are we for the likes of weather systems we have never seen before. We can ill afford to bask in the glory of our historical resilience. The behaviour, ferociousness and longevity of Hurricane Melissa should leave us wondering whether this is becoming the new normal. And, if so, how ready are we?

We know we need more investment in our infrastructure, particularly our shoreline roads, some of which are crumbling on their own. There are also questions around the life span of our Causeway and bridges.

Time and time again, Bermuda has proved that her people are as resilient as they come, but how well are we preparing for increased catastrophic weather risks? Is our infrastructure fit to withstand greater weather abuse? Does the Government have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage and financial tools in place, should we one day need to rebuild Bermuda?

• Linda Smith is Shadow Minister of Public Works and Environment, and the MP for Southampton West Central (Constituency 31)