Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba early Wednesday, bringing winds of 193 kilometers per hour and torrential rain. The Category 3 storm made landfall near Chivirico in Santiago de Cuba after devastating Jamaica, where it ranked among the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed that more than 700,000 people were evacuated before the storm’s arrival. He warned that Melissa could cause widespread destruction across Santiago de Cuba and nearby provinces.
Forecasters predicted a storm surge reaching up to 3.6 meters and rainfall as high as 51 centimeters in parts of eastern Cuba. The storm was expected to cross the island during the morning before moving toward the Bahamas later Wednesday.
U.S. forecasters warned that prolonged rainfall could trigger life-threatening floods and multiple landslides. A hurricane watch remained in effect for Bermuda as the storm continued its path across the Atlantic.
Cuba Faces Economic Strain Amid Destruction
President Díaz-Canel said the government would spare no effort to protect lives and restore affected communities. “There will be a lot of work ahead,” he stated. “We will ensure that no one is left behind and all resources are mobilized.”
He urged citizens not to underestimate the storm, calling Melissa “the strongest hurricane ever to hit our national territory.” Officials suspended classes across several provinces, including Guantánamo and Camagüey, to prepare for potential destruction.
The hurricane struck as Cuba continues to face a deep economic crisis marked by fuel shortages, power cuts, and food scarcity. Experts warned that the storm’s damage could further cripple the nation’s already struggling infrastructure and economy.
Jamaica Begins Recovery After Widespread Damage
While Cuba braced for impact, Jamaica began assessing the destruction Melissa left behind. Officials reported severe flooding across Clarendon in the south and St. Elizabeth in the island’s southwest. “Large parts of St. Elizabeth are underwater,” said Desmond McKenzie, deputy chairman of Jamaica’s Disaster Risk Management Council.
The storm damaged four hospitals, forcing the evacuation of 75 patients after one facility lost power. More than half a million residents remained without electricity late Tuesday as fallen trees, power lines, and heavy flooding crippled the island.
Jamaican authorities planned to reopen airports by Thursday to accelerate the delivery of emergency aid. Across the Caribbean, Melissa was blamed for seven deaths — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic — with another person still missing.
As recovery efforts continued, officials across the region warned that the hurricane season’s growing intensity could threaten more vulnerable communities in the weeks ahead.
